5 Things That Need Climate Controlled Storage
August 3, 2015 | Storage Tips
When it comes to deciding whether or not to rent a climate controlled storage unit, it’s not just high temperatures that you have to worry about. When planning to store valuable business and household items, also think about moisture and humidity as well as freezing temperatures.
While most self storage companies offer slightly higher storage unit rates for climate controlled storage features, keeping your belongings from sustaining damage due to high temperatures, humidity, or freezing conditions is worth the investment.
Most electronics belong in a climate controlled storage unit
The best methods for storing electronics include remembering that technology evolves faster than lightening, and if you put something out of sight will it be relevant by the time you unpack it from your storage unit.
Of course, vintage electronics are popular collectibles and keeping any electronic gadgetry safe and protected from the elements is a worthwhile investment.
Be sure to remove all batteries, and not store anything directly on the floor where it will be more susceptible to moisture. Label boxes as “fragile” and use bubble wrap or foam padding to protect delicate items. But don’t wrap electronics in shrink-wrap because moisture can be trapped inside.
It’s better to use paper wrapping, moving blankets, or beach towels that you can pick up cheaply at the local Goodwill store.
Save nursery and children’s toys and furniture for future generations
Saving things like children’s toys, clothes, and nursery furniture can come in handy for future generations. Giving a family member or a friend a head start down the road is easy if you store baby and child treasures in a climate-controlled storage unit.
The first step is to donate slightly blemished toys if you don’t want to store them. Go ahead and discard broken toys. Also, keep in mind baby toys with chew marks or cracks can harbor bacteria that are difficult to get out.
Prevent mold and mildew from growing, as well as stop bacteria from spreading by disinfecting all toys before storing.
Place toys in plastic totes or containers with clear labels, such as Legos, Barbies, Matchbox cars, etc. It’s advisable to choose a temperature controlled storage center for these types of items. Most toys are susceptible to damage when exposed to fluctuating temperatures over time.
Remember to take out all batteries from toys, baby monitors, and any other items with an on and off switch. While extreme heat can cause batteries to swell, crack, and leak acid, so can the lack of day-to-day use.
Wooden furniture should never be stored in a hot attic
Wood expands and contracts with changes in surrounding temperature and humidity, which is why a temperature-controlled unit is usually the best option. But before you store, prepare your wood furniture beforehand.
Painted furniture may simply need to be wiped down, but stained, dyed, oiled, and waxed wood furniture may require special care such as applying linseed oil or a specific type of furniture wax.
After you’ve prepped your furniture one way to keep it protected is to wrap it with moving blankets and then shrink-wrap it. Also, plan to allow for space between items so that air circulates between the furniture and you can remove your pieces more easily should you need a particular item in the future.
Wine always requires a controlled temperature environment
Metro Self Storage offers climate controlled storage units for wine collections
Storing wine in “perfect” storage conditions is something wine geeks can argue about all day long. While that makes it impossible to give definitive advice about the “perfect” wine storage conditions, you’ll be fine if you put wine in a dark, largely undisturbed place with a moderate and fairly constant temperature.
When it comes to storing your wine in a storage facility choosing whether or not you need a specialized wine storage option or simply a storage unit that meets your storage needs depends largely on where you live. Talk to your local storage facility manager about how long you need wine storage and how often you plan to access the collection.
Artwork and family photos will last longer if stored in a climate controlled unit
When it comes to storing your most treasured possessions, family photos, paintings, and art supplies are usually at the top of the list. These types of items need to protection from UV exposure, heat, and humidity. Storing photos of family, friends, and travel adventures are easy if you have a Flickr or Smug Mug account.
But what about grandmas’ family tree of ancestral photos tucked into an aging photo album? Exposures.com offers photo sleeves made of photo-safe materials that pass the same safety test used by the Library of Congress and the National Archives.
Storing photos in a climate controlled storage unit is a temporary solution until you have the time or inclination to transfer them into digital files.
Medical and pharmaceutical products must always be stored properly
Pharmaceutical reps often turn to their local self storage facility to keep their inventory and shipments safe. Besides choosing a climate controlled storage unit, facility, reps must ensure the storage unit is clean and there are no signs of bug or rodent infestations. New or renovated storage facilities are always more attractive, but older facilities with good maintenance programs and reputations are also good choices.
Most but not all storage operators accept deliveries without an extra charge. At Metro Self Storage our friendly storage managers will happily accept deliveries and work with each pharmaceutical rep to create a plan for deliveries to avoid running into any issues down the line.
If you still find yourself asking, Do I really need climate controlled storage? We can help. It’s one of the most popular questions we hear in the storage industry.
Answering these three easy questions will help your storage facility answer your biggest questions about climate-controlled storage units.
- What are the temperature ranges where you live?
- What are you planning to store?
- How long do you plan to utilize a self storage unit?
Read more: Do I Need to Buy Insurance for My Stored Belongings?
Get Your Climate Controlled Storage Unit with Metro Self Storage
Metro Self Storage has climate controlled storage units of all sizes, perfect for all of your specific storage needs. Find a location near you today!
