Can you store salt in Mylar bags, how long will salt last in Mylar bags, and how to store salt in Mylar bags the right way without it turning into a rock? People ask these same questions when they are considering storing salt long-term, and while both the questions and the answers are quite straightforward, 

Yes, you can store salt in Mylar bags, and when sealed properly and kept in a cool, dry place, salt will last indefinitely because it does not spoil or degrade over time. To store salt in Mylar bags the right way, simply fill a thick Mylar bag (5 mil or higher) with completely dry salt, do not add oxygen absorbers, heat seal the bag, and keep it away from moisture, since humidity is the only real factor that can cause clumping or damage.

Quick Overview

Salt stores extremely well in Mylar bags and can last indefinitely when protected from moisture. Because salt does not spoil like other foods, proper storage is all about keeping it dry, sealed, and free from humidity. To store it, add dry salt to a Mylar bag, heat seal the top, and place it in a cool, dry area for long-term storage.

Can You Store Salt with Mylar Bags?

Yes, you can store salt in Mylar bags, but it’s not required for preservation since salt already lasts indefinitely. Mylar bags simply help protect it from moisture and contamination. For best results, use a thick durable Mylar bag, make sure the salt is completely dry, avoid oxygen absorbers, and store it in a cool, dry place.

So what's the point of using Mylar? 

• Protection from moisture (this is the real enemy)
• Keeping it clean and contaminant-free
• Long-term bulk storage organization

Using Mylar is still valuable if you have a large quantity of salt stored in this manner or if you are storing salt for the long term. It is just important to know that while salt will keep and not go bad for a long time, using Mylar will have no impact on the shelf life of the salt, just as it will not affect the shelf life of food.

How Long Can Salt be Stored in Mylar Bags?

Salt stored in Mylar bags can last forever or indefinitely, as it does not spoil or degrade over time. As long as the bag is properly sealed and kept in a cool, dry environment, the only risk is moisture, which can cause clumping but not expiration.

You are looking at many years... or at least a 100 year shelf life if kept dry.

There’s no expiration clock ticking. 

The only thing that can affect salt is:

• Exposure to moisture
• Contaminating the salt

That's all! Assuming that you use proper sealing methods and that the salt is being kept in a dry area, the salt stored in a Mylar bag will probably last far longer than you, me or even the container you store it in.

How to Store Salt in Mylar Bags

To store salt in Mylar bags, pour dry salt into the bag, heat seal it tightly, and keep it in a cool, dry area. For best results, avoid moisture and use durable Mylar bags for long-term storage.

1. Start with Dry Salt

Use only salt that has completely dried before using. If there are any wet spots within the stock of salt when you package it, it will clump together when you seal it.

2. Use A Thicker Mylar Bag

Using a thicker Mylar bag is generally a good choice because the extra thickness provides better insulation and prevents moisture from entering from external sources. Thicker bags work better in a moist pantry environment than thinner bags.

3. Carefully Load Salt Into Bag

When loading the salt into a Mylar bag, leave some room at the top of the bag so you can heat seal the bag.

4. Ignore The Oxygen Absorbers

Salt storage is much different from food storage of foods like beans or pasta. For example, in the vast majority of salt storage applications. In most cases, you can skip using oxygen absorbers in your salt storage.

5. Seal The Mylar Bag

Seal your Mylar bags with a heat sealer, impulse sealer, or flat iron/hair straightener.

6. Store In A Cool, Dry Place

Store your sealed Mylar bags in a place that is away from humidity, direct sunlight, or temperature swings. A great place to do this is in a pantry, storage bin, or utilitarian shelf.

Salt Storage Tips Which Produce Better Results

The following tips will help produce better results in salt storage:

- Store smaller amounts rather than a large amount of salt.
- Write the type of salt and the date on the bag.
- Store the salt bags inside of a bucket, or air-tight bin for protection.
- Avoid opening and resealing the same bag every time you need to get salt.
- Store salt far removed from damp basements or humid garages.

Treat salt with a little extra consideration; the investment is worth it.

Does Salt in a Mylar Bag Need an Oxygen Absorber?

No, salt in a Mylar bag does not need an oxygen absorber. Salt does not spoil or oxidize, so oxygen removal provides no benefit. In fact, adding an oxygen absorber can cause the salt to harden into a solid block due to moisture interaction, so it’s best to store salt in Mylar bags without one and keep it in a dry environment.

DO NOT use oxygen absorbers with salt.

Here is what happens to salt when it is exposed to oxygen absorbers:

• Salt does not oxidize, spoil, or go bad. 
• Oxygen absorbers have been known to harden salt into a solid piece of brick.
• In some cases, oxygen absorbers will also cause the bag to be damaged over time.

When it comes to salt and how to store it properly, salt only concerns itself with humidity (moisture). 

Therefore, when you add an oxygen absorber to your bag of salt, you are creating problems instead of fixing them!

The Best Way to Store Salt in Mylar Bags

To store salt in Mylar bags, fill a thick (5 mil+) bag with completely dry salt, do not add oxygen absorbers, heat seal it tightly, and keep it in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture and clumping.

This is where most people's guides fall short. This is an important factor if you want to prevent future clumping or wasting the salt.

The following is a step by step guide:

1. Select appropriate size Mylar bag.
2. All bags must be a minimum of 5MIL thick.
3. Smaller bags will help minimize loss to one bag breaking if you have several bags contained in larger containers.
   
4. Prior to use, you must make sure that the salt you are going to store is 100% dry. Any amount of moisture in the salt will result in clumping of the remaining salt.
   
5. Fill the Mylar bag with salt, leaving at least an inch of the bag empty at the top for the purpose of sealing the bag.
   
6. Do not place oxygen absorbers in the Mylar bag. 
   
7. For the best way to seal the Mylar bag, I recommend using either an actual heat sealer or a hair straightener.
   
8. Store the Mylar bag in a cool, dry location. 
   
9. Make sure that the location you selected is not subject to big temperature swings or increased humidity.

Optional but highly recommended:

As an added precaution, I would suggest storing the sealed Mylar bags inside a 5-gallon food-grade bucket.

How Much Salt Fits in a Half Gallon Mylar Bag?

* Fine table salt packs together tightly
* Coarse salt takes up more space 

If you are measuring by volume, then a half gallon Mylar bag contains about 10 to 12 cups of salt.

Common Mistakes That Ruin Stored Salt