Regardless of if you are planning to store your appliances on a short- or long-term basis, you need to properly prepare them. Without the preparations, you could return to appliances that are infested by pests, moldy, or have other problems. To help ensure your appliances are in the same condition as when you initially stored them, here are some steps you need to take before placing them in storage.
Opt for climate control. Before you get your appliances ready for storage, you need to rent the storage unit. A climate-controlled unit helps to prevent humidity, which could lead to mold and mildew in your appliances.
Empty the appliances. Check all of your appliances to ensure there is nothing inside of them. Leftover food in the refrigerator or wet clothing in the washer could attract pests.
Clean and disinfect the interior. A clean unit is likely to remain pest-free while in storage. You can use soap and water to clean the interior of your appliances. Bleach can be an effective disinfectant. Before closing the appliances, allow the interior to dry.
Check the filters. Some appliances, such as your dryer, have filters that can become clogged with lint or other debris. You can likely clean the filter with a vacuum. However, an old toothbrush will do in a pinch.
Secure the cords and other movable parts. The cords, trays, and other movable parts in your appliances can be damaged or lost during the move to storage. The cords can be taped to the appliances, and the other parts stored in labeled boxes.
Place small appliances in original packaging. The original packaging is designed to fit the intended appliance perfectly. Therefore, it is safer to pack and move the appliances to the storage unit in the packaging.
Wrap your larger appliances. Larger appliances and any small appliances that you cannot find the packaging for can be wrapped with bubble wrap or towels. You want to ensure the appliances are wrapped completely so they are not damaged during the move to the storage unit.
Open the doors of the appliances. Once you have reached the storage facility, unwrap your appliances and leave the doors slightly open. Doing this will help to prevent mildew and moisture. You can cover the appliances with cotton sheets to protect their interiors.
With careful preparation, you can protect your investment in your appliances while they are in the self storage facility.
Share31 March 2017
I made a difficult decision to leave the company that I was working for and start a small home interior design business of my own. Since I had limited space in my apartment, I had to find a place to keep all of the things that I needed to present my clients with the ideas that I had come up with. How did I find the space that I needed - I found a storage facility close to my apartment. My storage unit is organized and set up in a way that I can find what I need and can store more than I need for my business.