Have you ever found yourself not having enough space for all your things? Maybe your apartment is too small, you are selling your old house and moving into a new home, or you are remodeling your current one. Then you probably turned to self-storage. Storage units are a very useful invention of the 1960s. The first storage units were used in Texas because most people in Texas didn’t have basements. Even though they are a great help in keeping your home organized and clean, regular storage units are not a good fit for all types of items. Some items require a different kind of storage so they wouldn’t get damaged. Because of that, we made a list of items you should keep in climate-controlled storage.
What is climate-controlled storage?
Climate-controlled storage is specifically designed to keep your items safe during different weather conditions. In storage that is not climate controlled, your items are exposed to changes in temperature and humidity, and you risk them getting damaged. Also, there is a difference between temperature-controlled and climate-controlled storage. Temperature-controlled storage keeps only the temperature in check. In contrast, climate-controlled storage maintains an ideal level of both temperature and humidity for your stored items. So whether it’s extremely hot or cold, your items will be safe.
Items you should keep in climate-controlled storage:
Artwork
Climate-controlled storages are very useful when it comes to storing delicate items. And there are few things more delicate than paintings. They are fragile, and it is very easy for them to get damaged. Eagle Van Lines experts suggest that you don’t want to try and store them in regular storage and find them ruined later. Especially if you have some expensive art pieces. Or it doesn’t have to be expensive; maybe it just has great emotional value for you. Whatever it is, you need to make sure your art is protected from high heat and humidity, and that’s what climate-controlled storages are for. And there is another important thing before putting your paintings in storage, and that is transporting them there. So it’s best to hire a good moving company and be sure your items won’t get damaged during relocation.
Electronics
Some of the main items you should keep in climate-controlled storage are electronics. Computers, video and audio equipment, laptops, and gaming devices all need special care when being stored. Both heat and cold can be very damaging to electronic devices. Extreme temperatures shorten the lifespan of batteries and circuit boards. But humidity is the biggest issue. Moisture in storage can very quickly render your electronic devices useless. And those items can be costly, so humidity control is a must in your storage unit. Electronics are best stored between 50 and 80 degrees.
Furniture
If you ever plan on storing wooden and leather furniture, then you have no choice but to choose climate-controlled storage. Regular storage is acceptable if you are only storing them for a couple of days, but long-term furniture storage requires special conditions. Leather is a very sensitive material. It can shrink, fade and discolor in high heat. Also, heat can easily dry up the leather and cause it to crack. For wood, being exposed to changing elements is very damaging. In the heat, wood expands and fills with moisture. And when it is cold, it shrinks and dries out. When wooden furniture is exposed to this changing cycle for a while, it can break, crack, get discolored, and start to mold.
Clothes
Clothes can be stored in regular storage units. But for just a little more money, you can store them in climate-controlled storage and see the difference for yourself. If you store them in a climate-controlled unit, your clothes will look and feel the same as the day you left them there. It will stay fresh and ready to wear. Whereas in regular storage, humidity causes your clothes to mold and shrink after a while. And then there is also the issue of bugs and rodents. So it’s best to store them in climate-controlled storage. Of course, before storing your clothes, you should prepare them. Always wash all the clothes and dry them out when preparing clothes for storage. If you have a lot of clothes, you can always use vacuum bags for this or donate the ones you don’t need so you have more space.
Medical supplies
Medicine and medical supplies and items you should keep in climate-controlled storage. Keeping prescription medication in high heat can cause it to decay. Taking medicine in that condition can cause serious health issues. Not to mention that some medications can be extremely expensive, and many people can’t afford to buy new ones. So it’s best to make sure it’s stored properly. Also, medical supplies such as gloves, adhesives, bandages, and dressings don’t do well in the heat either. High temperatures are very damaging to plastic and latex. They cause adhesives to lose their stickiness and decay. Also, many medical supplies are flammable, and you certainly don’t want your storage to burn down.
In conclusion
Putting your things in storage can be a stressful and exhausting process. But it is necessary, especially when moving or decluttering your home. Also, not all items can go in regular storage. That’s why we made a list of items you should keep in climate-controlled storage. That type of storage is a bit more expensive than the regular one. But in the long term, it proves itself to be worth it. It protects your expensive and sensitive items and keeps them secure in long-term storage. In conclusion, you can’t go much wrong when choosing climate-controlled storage for your items.