When you need to utilize self-storage, you want your things to stay in the best condition possible. This is especially true for expensive items like electronics. Due to the sensitive nature of electronic parts and their vulnerability to damage, you need to take extra precaution when putting them away for storage, regardless of if it’s for a few weeks or a few years. To help protect your items, here are the best ways to keep electronics secure and organized in storage.
Prepare Electronics for Storage
Preparing your devices for storage is a crucial step in keeping your electronics safe while they’re packed away. Taking the time to properly prepare, separate, and clean your devices will help keep them in the best condition possible. Some essential steps to take in the preparation process are as follows:
Find the Original Packaging
Whenever possible, use the original packaging to store your electronic devices. Original packaging was specifically made to protect each unique device, thus providing the most secure way for you to store them over time. If you can’t find the original packaging, try to find a box of similar size and use an adequate amount of bubble wrap or packing paper to keep things protected.
Back Up All of Your Data
Always take the time to back up your data, just in case something goes wrong. By doing this, you’ll make sure that your data is protected in case anything were to happen.
Remove Detachable Parts
Next, begin preparing your devices for storage by removing all detachable parts including cords, batteries, cartridges, etc. This allows you to safely store your electronics without the risk of corrosion or damages over time.
Clean and Protect
Once all the parts are separated, go through and thoroughly clean each individual piece of your device. To get hard to reach areas, use an air duster. When you remove dirt, dust, and built-up grime, you reduce the risk of damages to your devices.
Separate and Wrap
Finally, you’ll want to separate removable parts of your devices and wrap or protect them accordingly. There are several different accessories that help facilitate easy, secure electronic storage. For example, if you have a lot of different cords or cables for one device, consider using a small carrying case that has an extra layer of padding, protection, and plenty of pockets for you to put parts in. This is great for things like cameras that have attachments, memory cards, and various cords for different uses. Keep parts for each device clearly labeled or stored in the same box to avoid confusion later on.
Self-Storage Organization Tips for Electronics
While preparing your electronics for storage will help keep them safe and protected, you’ll also want to devise a plan as to how you’re going to organize them. In most instances, individuals who will be storing electronics will also need to store other household items or furniture. Rather than bunching your devices with the rest of your things, here are some great self-storage organization tips to keep your electronics secure and easily accessible.
Store Electronics by Type
A great way to organize your electronics in your self-storage unit is to separate and store items by type. This is especially beneficial to individuals who have a variety of devices or multiple types of a certain electronic—i.e., photographers, movie collectors, etc. If you’re going to be storing your electronics in their original boxes, you can group like items together in your unit. If you plan to pack things into moving boxes, create separate boxes for each type of electronic and their varying parts. This will make things easier when you need to access your devices later on.
Store Electronics in the Back of Your Storage Unit
Electronics can be delicate, which makes a lot of people hesitant to store them in self-storage units with all the rest of their things. To make sure that your devices are secure and protected from potentially harmful items, store your electronics against the back wall of your unit. Doing this will safeguard your electronics from heavy boxes or items that may get shoved into your unit over time. For added security, consider putting a shelving unit against the back wall so that your electronics aren’t stacked on top of each other, giving them plenty of space to breathe. If you plan on needing to access them while they’re in storage, create a pathway from the front of your unit to the back so that you don’t need to worry about moving boxes and having things fall over during the process.
Create a Display
Another option for organizing your electronics in your self-storage unit is to create a display similar to one you’d have at home. You’ll still want to store your electronics in boxes and follow the above tips to keep them safe but creating a display will allow you to access items easier while showcasing your collection within your unit. You can bring in various shelving units, cubbies, and even the furniture you use to display your electronics at home. This way, you’ll know that your electronics are safe and well organized while you keep them in storage. As an added bonus, you’ll get a sense of joy whenever you enter your storage unit and see your electronics proudly displayed.
Label Boxes with Inventory
While storing electronics in their original boxes is preferred, it’s not always possible. If you don’t have some of
the original boxes, you’ll want to find a good moving box or box of similar size to pack your devices for storage. When you do this, always label the boxes with what’s inside. You could put each electronic into individual boxes and then either label them with a marker or secure a picture of the contents to the outside. By creating your own personalized boxes for each device, you’ll also be able to use the pictures for references later on.
Take Pictures
If you’re putting electronics into long-term storage, it might be helpful to take a picture of the entire device prior to disassembling it. This allows you to verify that the right cords and components are reattached when you go to reassemble your device later. Taking pictures is also beneficial if you no longer have the owner’s manual as it provides a reference image for you to check as needed.
Keep Electronics Protected with Climate-Control
While you can do everything in your power to properly disassemble, clean, wrap, and pack your electronics for storage, if you don’t use a climate-controlled unit you’re wasting your time. This is especially true if you live in areas with harsh weather or fluctuating climates. Electronics are extremely susceptible to damages caused by heat, extreme cold, humidity, and fluctuations between the three. When you utilize drive-up storage units or indoor storage units that aren’t protected by climate-control and temperature-control, you may save a few dollars from month to month, but you should not expect your electronics to stay in good condition. When you need to store your electronics for more than a month or so, the risk of damage exponentially increases. In fact, depending on the extremity of the weather, your electronics may be completely ruined in non-protected units. This can be a devastating and fairly expensive mistake, but it is avoidable. To keep your electronics in the best condition possible, store them in a climate-controlled and temperature-controlled self-storage unit.
Keep Electronics Within a Secure Facility
In addition to utilizing a climate-controlled self-storage unit, find a facility that has plenty of security features to deter theft. While burglary from self-storage units is very rare, it’s not unheard of. The risk of burglary increases in facilities that don’t have added precautions or security measures that act as a deterrence. For the best peace of mind, find a self-storage facility that has a comprehensive security system in place. When you’re storing expensive electronics, it’s also beneficial to utilize an insurance plan that will cover your assets in the case of theft or damage from natural disasters.
When you need a self-storage facility that you can trust to store your electronics safely and securely, look no further than The Lock Up Self Storage. All of our units are climate-controlled and temperature-controlled, giving you the perfect year-round temperature and humidity level to keep your electronics in the best condition possible. The Lock Up also has state-of-the-art security measures, so you can rest easy knowing your things are in good hands. Our security system includes 24/7 video monitoring, individually coded access gates, a full perimeter alarm, and motion-sensor lighting systems. With a variety of storage unit sizes and flexible leasing options, you’ll be able to find what you need at The Lock Up. To learn more about your local facility, or to find the perfect size self-storage unit for your electronics, call us at 1-866-327-LOCK today!
