Get Ready for Summer. Tips for Hot Weather Storage.

As we enter the summer season, it’s important to remember that many items that you might want to store are susceptible to damage from high heat and humidity. The best way to avoid these issues is to rent one of our climate-controlled units, but if that won’t work for you, here are some tips to help you figure out the best way to store your stuff.

While some items are obviously susceptible to damage in hot weather, like vinyl records or candles, there are other items which you may not readily think of:

• Leather furniture. Leather does not respond well to extreme heat, and can quickly become cracked, brittle, and dry.
• Antique wood furniture. Same as leather, wood can dry out to the point where it can split and crack, and traditional finishes can be damaged or completely ruined.
• Musical instruments. While your trumpet or trombone will probably not be too worse for wear, woodwind instruments like saxophones, flutes, and clarinets, have leather and similar components that can dry out and make for very costly repairs - keep all of those instruments elsewhere.

• Paper and art. You might not think about it, but high heat can cause paper and some fabrics to discolor or fade, especially if they are on the older side.
• Electronics. While generally ok in hotter weather if you’re not operating them, the temperatures in storage units without climate control can frequently be 30 degrees or hotter than the surrounding air, so they can get hot enough to damage or shorten the life of electronics.
• Personal items. Toiletries, cosmetics, and candles - don’t do it - they will not survive the summer intact.

In addition to the high temperatures, we also have high humidity to contend with. You can take several steps to help protect your items from moisture:

Be sure that all your belongings, especially textiles like clothes and linens, are clean and dry. Anything made of fabric should be stored in a mostly airtight, plastic container. It can also be helpful to add desiccant packets to the container, to contend with any moisture that finds its way inside. Even better if your items can be vacuum sealed.

Many people don’t think about it, but storing appliances in hot and humid conditions can lead to them rusting out or can shorten their lifespans. Be sure to store appliances off of the ground by placing them on wood blocks or a pallet, to allow for good air circulation. You can also add desiccant pouches to them to help absorb excess humidity.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is to wrap their items up in plastic cling-film. While this is great for helping to keep them clean, it is very easy to inadvertently trap humidity inside that plastic wrap, which can lead to mold, mildew, rust, and the destruction of whatever it was you were trying to save. 

Most of all, be sure to take care of yourself and don’t overdo it. Bring water with you, and if you’re going to be accessing an outdoor unit, don’t forget your hat and sunscreen. Visit your storage unit in the early morning and be sure to take advantage of our free carts and dollies to lessen your workload. 

When you’re tired of sweating and sweltering under the hot summer sun, be sure to check out our climate-controlled locations, and our latest way to beat the heat - full drive-in / drive-thru, climate-controlled buildings, where you’re always calm, cool, and collected. 

Click on Storage Locations above to find our facility that is most convenient to you and rent online today.