Storing Sensitive Items in Winter: Protecting Electronics, Art, and More
As the snow begins to fall and the air starts to chill, keeping sensitive storage items in a well-maintained environment is essential. The experts at mystorage are here to share tips on how to do what you can to store items safely.
Effect of Cold Temperatures on Storage
Winter’s cold temperatures and fluctuating humidity levels can pose risks to items like electronics, artwork, and documents. Without proper protection, these belongings are more prone to damage from moisture, extreme cold, and condensation. While the specific forms of damage vary between items, freezing temperatures can generally lead to warping, cracking, mildew growth, and fusion of wooden pallets.
General Cold Weather Storage Tips
- Store off the floor. Keep items elevated on wooden pallets and shelves to allow air to flow underneath them.
- Use sturdy containers. Your items should be packed appropriately and sealed during the winter to help prevent mildew growth from moisture in the air.
- Rent climate-controlled storage. If you lack the space indoors, a climate-controlled storage unit that maintains consistent temperature ranges all year is ideal for storage.
- Check in regularly. You should be a frequent visitor to your storage unit to be sure all your items are OK. If not, take immediate action to help prevent further damage.
Storage for Electronics During Winter
Being responsible for your electronics storage is imperative, especially given these possessions’ high-dollar, irreplaceable value. Here are our tips regarding storage for electronic devices:
- Remove batteries. The cold may cause batteries to leak, corrode, or even explode. If feasible, remove all batteries and store them separately.
- Store in the original packaging. The devices’ boxes are custom-made, so they are great for storage.
- Clean the screens. Wipe down and dry all screens before placing them into storage to help prevent the buildup of grime.
- Coil cords. Chief among our electronic cord storage ideas is to secure and coil them to help them maintain their shape and avoid tangling.
- Use cold weather cords. These cords are specially made to stay flexible during cold weather, helping to avoid cracking and breakage.
- Invest in electronics storage boxes. A cardboard box may not suffice for your electronic parts storage. Electronics storage boxes are designed to help protect your electronics from the wear and tear of time and the elements.
How To Store Art in Winter
If adequate attention isn’t given to your artwork, it could be prone to tears, fading, stains, and damage from moisture. Whether you’re a collector or an artist yourself, these tips for the responsible storage of art are a must this winter:
- File them away vertically. When it comes to how to store paintings, you should never stack them. Store frames upright or taped between two pieces of cardboard. You can also purchase a canvas storage rack or an art storage box.
- Use packing materials. Sturdy packing materials, like newspaper and Bubble Wrap, should be used to protect your paintings while in art storage.
- Avoid touching them. It can be easy to manhandle your artwork when placing it into storage, so be sure to cover it with acid-free paper or use gloves.
- Be cautious about paint storage. While some storage facilities allow you to store chemical products like paint, others prohibit it. Be sure to check with your storage facility regarding their protocols.
- Keep art supplies airtight. Store all brushes, sponges, paper, and other items in airtight containers, and wrap unopened paint containers in plastic.
Rent Winter Storage at mystorage
Whether dealing with storage for art supplies, electronics, or other temperature-sensitive items, having a dependable, high-quality storage unit is essential. At mystorage, we offer climate-controlled storage in Virginia so you can rest easy regarding your items in winter storage.
Contact us today to get started, and find us at a storage facility near you!