Tips for Storing Electronics in a Self Storage Unit

In today’s digital world, electronics are everywhere we look, and they are a big part of our everyday lives. Not only do we enjoy these devices for entertainment purposes, but we rely on them for everyday business applications as well. Whether it’s a 55” plasma television, a desktop computer, or a surround sound stereo system, if you are placing any of your electronic devices into a self storage unit, there are steps you can take to ensure your electronics will stay in pristine condition until you are ready to use them again. Here are 10 tips on how to safely store your electronics in your self storage unit:

• First and foremost, it is important that you wipe down all your belongings to rid them of dust and other unwanted dirt and grime, since this can cause unwanted scratching and premature deterioration to any electronics
• Make sure to separate all detachable wires from their respected devices and store them separately. This will prevent any additional strain on the connections between device and wire during storage
• To store wires, group wires based on appliance they belong too, wrapping them together in a circular coil. Bind all coils of wires together using zip ties in at least two separate areas to ensure wires do not come undone. Label each group of wires by writing on the taped area with a brightly colored permanent marker so it is easily visible. Finally put all appliances wiring in one box, so that you know exactly where to retrieve appliance wiring when you need them in the future.
• To guard against dust wrap electronics with cotton sheets or towels. Plastic should not be used to wrap electronics because by preventing air circulation, moisture becomes trapped and leads to mold and mildew. This is especially important when storing in areas of high humidity, such as a San Diego self storage unit.
• If storing multiple electronic items in the same box, fill in any empty space with newspaper or packing peanuts to prevent the items from shifting during transport and causing damage to each other.
• Remove batteries from any electronics that require them. This will prevent damage from battery acid.
• All removable media storage items such as tapes, cd’s, dvd’s, and alike should be removed from their respective devices prior to storage. Non- removable storage devices such as internal hard drives should be backed up prior to storage.
• Electronics with glass such as copy machines or monitors should be stored with a protective layer of padding over the glass to prevent cracking. Bubble wrap, cardboard, or Styrofoam all work well for protecting these items.
• Be sure to stack boxes containing electronics according to weight, keeping heavier items on the bottom and lighter or more fragile items on top. This will prevent boxes from collapsing and damage to your electronics.
• Label all boxes specifically. This will make it easier to identify items when you decide to take your electronics out of storage and keep you from forgetting which items are fragile and must be handled with extra care.