Tips for storing large appliances

Storage preparationJanuary 9, 2023

There are many reasons why people need to store large appliances. It is crucial to store them properly in order to ensure total protection. Zippy Shell Moving and Storage DMV will give you a few tips. It is not enough just to put them in storage as they are. When storing electrical appliances, it is particularly important that the chosen location is dry. Electrically operated equipment must be protected from moisture. It does not matter whether the moisture is caused by rain, snow, or generally high humidity. In order to avoid humidity, the room should always be ventilated. There is much more to it, so keep reading to learn all you need to know about storing large appliances.

Why does storing large appliances need to be done properly?

There are several important reasons why you should store large appliances in an efficient and thorough manner. The main reasons are safety, protection, longevity, and convenience. Let’s break them down into more details.

Safety

First of all, improperly stored appliances can be a safety hazard. If an appliance is stored so that it can tip over, it could cause serious damage or injuries! That’s why it’s imperative that all of your appliances are positioned in such a way that scenario can never happen. They should be on solid ground and away from any edges.

owen representing storing large appliances
When storing large appliances, your number one priority should be safety.

Protection

Your unused appliances should be stored away as that way, you are protecting them in the long term. Put them in a dry place that can help prevent rust, mold, or other types of damage caused by moisture. You are also protecting them from physical damage, as you are lowering the risk of them getting bumped or knocked over. Also, appliances tend to get damaged over time by dust and debris. To combat all of that, we recommend storing them in a climate controlled storage Northern Virginia has to offer.

Longevity

Proper storing of appliances can definitely help extend their lifespan. If you put it in a dry and cool place, you are preventing them from experiencing overheating or similar types of wear and tear. It’s very important to take care of your appliances and keep them in a state where you can use them for a long time. The last thing you want is to realize you need to spend money on a new appliance when you could have preserved your current one. Don’t hesitate and prolong your decision. Get the best onsite storage containers today and put your large unused appliances there for peace of mind.

Convenience

It is also very convenient to store your large appliances somewhere you don’t use. By doing so in a logical and organized way, you can make it easier to find and use them again when needed. You are also freeing up space in your current home that you can use in a different way. Our portable storage in Northern Virginia is the best choice for this. We will drive it directly to your home and load and unload your possessions for you!

Why should you store large appliances in a safe environment?

The biggest reason why it would be wise to store large appliances is to protect them from several factors. Those factors are temperature fluctuations, lingering moisture, and dust and debris.

Cold and temperature fluctuations are one of the biggest causes of appliance failure

Batteries discharge more quickly in cold conditions. This can currently be observed, especially when using your smartphone outdoors. Excessive exposure to colds is fatal for any battery. The colder a battery becomes, the further its capacity decreases. A longer stay in the cold can lead to a complete discharge, leading to the appliance breaking down in the worst case. To avoid this, make sure that moving and storage Washington DC companies transport your large appliances, preferably in a well-padded wrap when the temperatures are low.

Why are temperature fluctuations bad?

Moisture can also get into appliances through excessive temperature fluctuations and cause great damage there. If you bring a large appliance that has cooled to ambient temperature after long transport due to the cold into a heated room, the room humidity condenses on the cool surfaces inside the appliance. Water drops can cause the metal parts to rust. When storing large appliances in a moist environment, the moisture can cause problems with the electronics and short circuits. Therefore, to avoid these problems, you must ensure that the storage unit where you store your large appliances is dry and well-ventilated.

a white kettle
It’s wise to store large appliances, and small ones too, to prolong their lifespan.

Make sure your appliances are protected from dust and moisture

There are several ways to protect your large appliances from dust before and while storing them. First of all, make sure to keep them covered. Put a cover or a sheet over them when not in use. Secondly, the area surrounding the appliances should also be regularly swept and dusted. Next up, ensure the appliance doors are always properly closed. And finally, use a dehumidifier and air filters. They will definitely help a lot in fighting mold and mildew.

Smaller electrical appliances require the same kind of attention

Store old record players, game consoles, or other electrical appliances in a dry and well-ventilated place. In order not to damage the electronics, temperatures should not fluctuate. It should be between 10 and 25 degrees. Furthermore, store the devices in plastic bags to protect them from dust. It is important that the air can circulate through an opening. This way, moisture will not form, and rust will not make the electrical appliances unusable. If you are a student, your laptop and other important electronics are crucial for your studies and everyday life. If you have trouble finding a temporary place for them, make sure to use our student storage in Northern Virginia. They are affordable and will most definitely protect your appliances from any weather conditions.

Refrigerators are the toughest large appliance to store

Storing large appliances is daunting, but refrigerators are perhaps the toughest to handle. That’s why we’ll focus in this paragraph specifically on them. When storing a refrigerator in Sterling storage containers, for example, there are a couple of things to make sure to do before storing them:

  • Disconnect the cooling unit from the power supply
  • Remove all stored food
  • Clean the interior thoroughly
  • The door of the cooling unit must remain open a gap wide
  • Read application instructions

The biggest reason why refrigerators can be impractical to handle alone is their size. That’s why you should probably use our loading and unloading services along with our trustworthy storage containers. We will do all the heavy lifting for you and provide you with additional information on storing them correctly, as we have a lot of experience with them.

Stainless steel refrigerator next to a white kitchen cabinet
Store the device in a dry storage room to protect it from moisture.

Last words on storing large appliances

When it comes to storing large appliances, there are no shortcuts. As we’ve seen, the most important things you have to do are to make sure they are completely dry, wrapped in plastic if needed, and put in a place where climate factors cannot damage them. Ideally, that would be a place with a climate-controlled feature, on top of having air filters and dehumidifiers. But since they take up a lot of space, you most likely want them out of the house in an environment that fits their needs. You will also free up a lot of space this way! If you are in this situation, make sure to contact us! We will gladly assist you in any way we can and provide the additional information you need.

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