Top tips for using a self-storage unit in the winter
With winter fast approaching, storing your items in a self-storage unit during the colder months means taking extra precautions.
After all, your items need to stay nice, dry and secure so that you can use them the next year just as they were. Here are our top tips for using your self-storage unit in the winter:
Wrap and insulate
The cold weather and lack of use are not the best combo and can quickly subject personal belongings to unnecessary wear and tear.
We’d recommend using cotton or wool packing blankets for your fragile items instead of plastic or vinyl ones as the latter can trap moisture. We want to do the opposite!
Our self-storage units are moisture-resistant, but you should always be careful with your fragile belongings. Extra padding is also a good idea for keeping your items nice and safe. Apart from the moisture, it will also keep all the dirt out. If you don’t have any blankets at hand, just use newspaper but do pick the best quality ones as low-quality paper will not do the job as effectively.
Utilise high-quality packing materials
Even though cardboard boxes are very useful for stacking your items and moving them easily, they are not very suitable in winter because the cold weather could make them damp and moist, causing damage to your belongings. Other packing materials you want to avoid include leather, wood, porcelain, and metal as they tend to crack easily with sudden temperature changes.
Polystyrene peanuts are great for packing items, such as electronics or paper items. For smaller items, you should use waterproof and sealed plastic bags and wrap each item individually in padded paper so they can be well isolated from the cold.
Electronics should be off the floor
It’s never a good idea to place any electronics on the floor of your self-storage unit. Even though our self-storage units have secure flooring, it is best not to place electronics on the floor as the ground will get very cold compared to the ambient temperature in the unit. When your electronics get cold, the internal batteries could get damaged.
Always repair before storing
Once winter passes, you may want to use certain items straight away. However, storing them in a broken or damaged state during the winter is certainly going to be a major inconvenience as they may not work normally.
To avoid this rude awakening, ensure that all your belongings and equipment have been repaired beforehand and are in working order before you store them. A damaged TV or sound system, for example, or clothes that require stitching or patching could be in a worse condition if left and stored in that state throughout the winter months.
Clean everything thoroughly before storing
If you want to get your stuff out in good condition, always wipe and clean them before storing them, whether it’s electronic or non-electronic items.
WoodPecker’s self-storage units are built to withstand the rigours of winters, available in a wide variety of styles and sizes to match your needs: 0808 281 3333.