7 Tips for Storing Electronics Safely in Climate-Controlled Storage

Climate-controlled storage in Cincinnati is perfect for items sensitive to large changes in temperature and humidity, like wooden furniture, paper documents, and electronics. When you need to store an extra television, computer, or home appliance, we have ve climate-controlled storage facilities in Greater Cincinnati to help you make some extra space in your home or business.
Read our seven tips for storing your electronics safely to improve your self-storage experience.
1. Choose Climate-Controlled Storage in Cincinnati
We highly recommend climate-controlled storage in Cincinnati for electronics, whether they operate on batteries or through an electrical cord.
Sudden temperature changes can cause condensation on surfaces and inside electronics. Over the long term, this can cause rust and corrosion, permanently damaging wires.
Extreme temperatures can cause some sensitive items to expand and contract. For example, solder and plastic expand when heated and contract when cooled. Repeated cycles of heating and cooling create micro-cracks or loosen connections over time, which can compromise circuit boards and wiring. One of the top ways to help limit these things from happening is to utilize climate-controlled storage. These indoor facilities limit the range of extreme temperature changes that can occur with drive-up units.
2. Types of Sensitive Electronics to Put in Self-Storage in Cincinnati
Whether for a home, business, or an organization, consider these sensitive electronics that should go in climate-controlled storage:
Televisions, gaming consoles, computers, and mobile devices due to their complex circuitry and nely tuned equipment. If even one wire is out of whack on these items, it won’t work properly.
Appliances, such as microwave ovens, ranges, or refrigerators, need to be stored properly to protect the wiring. If any of the wiring becomes corroded, it won’t operate properly. Yes, appliances are constructed to be hardy. However, the wiring can control motors, heating elements, and other vital components that need to stay in top form.
Medical equipment like nebulizers, blood pressure monitors, glucose meters, and CPAP machines can degrade over time when left in the wrong kind of storage unit. These types of items must function in top form at all times.
3. Prepare Electronics for Storage
Begin by thoroughly cleaning each device to remove dust, dirt, and oils (like ngerprints) that could damage components over time. Use soft, lint-free cloths and appropriate cleaning solutions for screens, keyboards, and other sensitive areas. Avoid introducing moisture during cleaning.
Disassemble any removable components, such as legs or bases on TVs or computer monitors. Take out batteries, which may leak and cause corrosion, and store them separately in a cool, dry location. This is especially important for laptop computers. Detach peripherals such as cables, mice, and external drives to reduce strain on ports and connectors. Label these parts clearly for easy reassembly later.
Choose protective packaging to shield electronics from environmental hazards. Use anti-static bags for circuit boards, hard drives, and other sensitive items to prevent electrostatic discharge. Wrap devices in bubble wrap or soft padding to cushion against impacts, and place them in sturdy boxes. Seal boxes with tape to block dust and moisture.
4. Pack Electronics Properly
In addition to the anti-static bags, we highly recommend packing electronics in the original packaging they came in for TVs, computers, monitors, and mobile devices. For appliances, this is probably not the case. Boxes shield your electronics from dust when in storage. Detach any electrical cables and put them in plastic zipper bags. If the cables cannot be detached, secure them next to the appliance with a small piece of tape so that the wires stay out of the way and no one steps or trips on them. Consider foam corners for large appliances to prevent damage to the outside of the item and to your home. Wrap appliances in blankets to prevent scratches on screens or the outer edges. Scratches can lead to corrosion over time if any moisture gets in them.
5. Organize & Arrange Your Storage Unit
When organizing and arranging your storage unit, large and heavy items should go in first. Large appliances, when stored properly, can serve as a way for small items to go on top of them. For example, a stovetop can be covered in a blanket, and then lightweight boxes can be placed on top.
However, other electronics should be stored on shelves or on the floor. Pack a large TV in its box and put the box on the oor as a standalone item. Monitors, desktops, and laptops should go in their boxes on sturdy shelves rather than have items stacked on top of them. Try not to store electronics too high above your head. If they fall off, they could break.
6. Periodic Maintenance
Regular maintenance during storage preserves the functionality of electronics. Inspect devices periodically for signs of corrosion, pest activity, or other issues. Replace any silica gel packets when they reach saturation.
Consider testing items to see if they still work properly. Insert a new battery into a battery-operated device and push a button. Then, turn the item off and remove the battery.
If you notice any issues with these electronics when you store them, you can mitigate any problems that might develop later. You can more easily diagnose issues if they arise rather than discover them when you get them out of storage.
7. Long-Term vs. Short-Term Storage
How long do you intend to store your electronics? If it’s just a few months, you might be okay with drive-up storage that you access next to your vehicle. If you need to store your electronics for longer than that, we highly recommend climate-controlled storage in Cincinnati. That’s because storing items longer than one season can lead to greater chances of humidity swings and degradation of wires and circuits.
Contact Us for Climate-Controlled Storage in Cincinnati
Do you have some electronics that need storage? We have eight locations all over Greater Cincinnati to help with your storage needs. We’re also one of the largest independently owned and operated storage companies in the area!
Contact us for more information on what we’ve got available.