Planning Clean And Efficient Storage For Electronics

Do you need to put a computer, office-grade printer, musical keyboard, or other valuable electronics into storage? If you want to get everything out in good shape after a few months or even years, it's not as simple as tossing everything randomly into a storage unit. To avoid disrepair from rust, corrosion, excessive dust buildup, and to especially avoid theft, here are a few storage features and best practices to consider for electronics.

Dust Buildup And Cleaning Requirements

It's hard to put anything into storage without expecting dust, but modern, computer-based electronics have a few risky problems if you're not on top of prevention and maintenance.

To deliver many of the customization options and the home computer-like performance that many devices use, a processor and other heat-generating components are included. Because they generate heat, dust can lead to various severe problems.

Dust acts as an insulator, meaning that your heat-emitting devices are essentially wearing sweaters and unable to cool as efficiently. Most modern, quality devices are designed to slow down when heat becomes critical, but some devices can burn with quick sparks or even start a small fire.

To avoid difficult maintenance that requires dismantling your electronics, look for a storage facility that has air quality control. At the most basic level, this means choosing a storage facility that has air conditioning. For added dust control, air filters built into the storage unit or an electrical outlet to connect your own device is a good option to look for.

Humidity Management

If you live in an area with high, consistent humidity such as coastal areas or the American Southeast, keeping your devices dry can be difficult.

Humidity isn't a massive problem on a daily basis, but if your area floods or has a record high amount of rainfall across a few days, the inside of your storage room can become a dank cellar. This is especially an issue on standalone storage units that aren't properly sealed.

Air conditioning is once again a good, basic level of control. The air conditioning process removes some moisture from the air, but if you need additional drying, a dehumidifier can be helpful. 

For smaller devices, it may be worth your time to put your belongings in sealable containers. They don't necessarily need to be airtight, but a rubber seal should keep you safe. Contact a storage professional, such as at Stadium Storage, to figure out which sets of features are right for you.