Whether you are storing clothing that’s out of season or setting up long term clothing storage, there are some tips to follow.

1.  Clean and prepare the clothing for storage.  Whether you wash and tumble dry or dry clean its essential to remove any food, tiny flakes of skin, or perspiration (or other liquid stains) from the potential stored clothing.  These “food” items will attract hungry insects and ruin your clothes.  Remove jewelry and empty all pockets of clothing to be stored to prevent any staining or stretching etc.  Once the clothing is set, make sure it is completely dry before storing.  Moisture equals mold and mildew.
2. Decide where and how you will store your clothes.  Any areas with dramatic temperature fluctuations probably aren’t the best places since that can case condensation and moisture (which again, is the enemy of stored clothing).  Cotton clothing can be folded (or rolled) and placed in plastic bins or bags, silk and wool clothing need to breathe so they should not be stored in anything air tight for a long term.  To be protected from moths these items should be stored in a cedar closet, cedar chest, or other “breathable” receptacle with cedar chips.  The cedar naturally repels the adult moths so they don’t invade, lays eggs and infest your stored clothes.  If you think there may be moths in an area you are using for storage use moth balls to remove them.  If you place the moth balls up high away from the clothes the vapors will drift down and remove the moths.  Hanging clothes should be stored on plastic or cedar hangers (no metal), and stored in breathable garment bags.  These garments can be stored in a cedar closet or in wardrobe boxes with cedar chips in the bottom if no closet rod is available.  Try and keep stored clothing up off the floor for air circulation (unless sealed) and mark containers and bags with as much description as possible.  This will make retrieving stored clothing easier.

If you are storing clothing for an extended period of time (like over 2 years) you may want to ask yourself if you really still need the stored clothes.  There are many charities that will happily accept your donation, and resale shops that will pay for gently used items.  Both of these options will give you a less cluttered home.  If you choose to keep the stored clothing follow these tips, and your stored clothing should be fine.

When storing computers, it’s always a good idea to use original packaging (box and Styrofoam, etc) if possible.  It was designed to protect your computer during transport and storage.  Consider this, your computer was shipped by truck or train and its packaging kept it safe during its potentially bumpy trip.  When dealing with mechanical items like hard drives and printers, jarring the internals can cause the equipment to lose alignment and cease functioning as expected, so proper packing is critical.  If original packaging is not available; use foam wrap or static free bags or bubble wrap to wrap your components and place in corrugated boxes filled with packing peanuts.  Make sure to fill the boxes to the top to prevent shifting.  Once your computer is packed for storage, use pallets or some other way to elevate the boxes to enhance ventilation and protection against potential flooding, etc.

The other area to remember when dealing with computer storage is climate control.  Heat is the number one cause of electronic failure, especially non mechanical items like the circuit boards and computer chips.  Always protect your computer in storage from prolonged heat exposure.  For long term storage, you may want to consider climate controlled storage where the temperature is maintained between 50°-80°F. This is best for storing computers because they also dislike cold.  Wild fluctuations in temperature can lead to cracking and damage to components due to condensation so consistent temperatures and consistent humidity is critical.  Humidity should be kept around 50RH.

Another thing to remember for portable or battery powered devices is do not leave batteries completely charged or completely empty when storing your computer.  Usually batteries such as the lithium ion variety found in laptop computers do best if stored at a 40% charge.  You can find some other helpful tips by reading How To Store Flat Screen TV’s and Other Electronics.

Depending on your region of where you live, one thing you must consider when storing your valuables is what kind of temperature or weather will there be while you are storing, how long you will need your storage space for, whether climate controlled storage is the best option for you.

Climate controlled storage facilities can protect artwork, documents, wood, leather, electronics, fabrics, and other personal and business possessions.  If you live in an area where humidity is high, too much moisture can cause mold, pathogens, bacteria, & rotting if the storage space is poorly ventilated or  storage temperatures are unregulated.  Just because your storage unit facility claims they have temperature controlled units does not mean your valuable items like artwork, wine, and antiques will be protected, you should know the variables the unit goes through and what temperatures and humidity levels your goods are stored at.  When renting a climate controlled storage space, there is usually an increased fee for these units as this is an additional expense your storage facility has to maintain.

Climate controlled facilities are usually in a finished building with indirect cooling and heating protection, and usually offer greater levels of protection against flood, dirt, and dust, than your average storage facility.  Temperature levels usually do not fall below freezing or rise above 90 degrees F.

If you live in extremely hot temperatures, or have items that need to be kept in cool temperatures, refrigerated cold storage units may be the best option for you.  Temperatures are usually kept between 50-80°F, with the average humidity about 50%.  These units are generally used to protect artifacts, paintings, food storage, and other cold storage items.  Some cold storage facilities are sometimes underground to keep better control of the climate and also assist with prevention of moisture and dew to your items.  Most cold storage units will offer additional security to prevent access to your storage space.  Underground cold storage can also protect from man-made or natural disasters and can also offer more protection from storms, fires, floods.  The security levels systems are usually maintained with video surveillance, security systems, fire alarms, and metal doors.  Another type of cold storage unit is a portable storage unit, which is used to provide good cooling systems with effective insulation.  Some portable storage units can be built to suit a custom size room, can be kept indoors or outdoors, or may be at an off site storage site.  Whether its food, or other items that need to be kept in the portable cold storage units, they are designed for needs which can range from -15°-75°F.  Security levels may vary for these types of storage units depending on where you have them, and if on personal property what type of security you have onsite.  Other items that should be considered for cold storage would be wine, you can reach storing wine to get more tips.

In cases of severe freezing temperatures, or extreme cold, you may want to consider a heated storage facility.  This can help insure your items will not get damp, or collect mold/mildew.  When humidity is too high liquid droplets can form in your storage items, and cause them to get warped or get filled with mildew.  You also want to make sure your furniture items stay dry.  Some heated storage facilities will offer indirect heat instead of heating units in each unit, and may include using radiant floors or radiant heat which can be useful for storing antique furniture and other valuables.  Heated storage facilities generally maintain a consistent temperature so your items do not go below 50-55°F.  This can be useful for storing books, records, electronics, leather, wood, music, clothing, pharmaceuticals, vehicles, boats, motorcycles, and other valuable items.  When looking for climate controlled storage, know what your belongings need to maintain their value and condition, if unsure, you can always check with an expert to see how an individual piece would best be stored.

Over the years we all accumulate our “stuff”.  Pictures, books, clothes, trophies, etc are part of who we are and are often difficult to part with.  Our need for storage grows as our collection of stuff grows and one storage option that most of us don’t utilize anymore is our attic.  If our items for storage are condensed, prepped and our space properly set, our attics can be a useful, viable, Free storage option.

Before you start preparing your storage space its best to figure out what items you will store.  Go through and purge what you don’t need and only keep items you cannot part with.  Make sure you consult with other family members so any decision is a consensus.  Once you decide what you want, you need to properly pack and secure the items so they are properly preserved in storage.  Loose items like books, papers, and photographs should be packed in corrugated boxes or plastic bins and sealed.  Clothing, if possible, should be packed in plastic tubs or in sealed air tight storage bags to keep free from infestation.  Furniture can be covered with blankets, sheets or brown paper pads to protect the finish.  Once all the items are prepped, figure out how much storage space is needed to store your goods efficiently and effectively.

Now you should know that attics in homes built prior to the 1970’s are easier to use for storage space than newer homes because they were made with steeper roofs.  New homes offer the least amount of storage space.  Remember, no attic is suitable for storage unless the proper type of ventilation is used (along with proper insulation).  While there are some goods that aren’t temperature sensitive, all attics should be properly ventilated.

Proper ventilation prevents excessive heat, and high humidity which can occur naturally with temperature changes.  One solution for ventilation is mechanical ventilation which uses electrical fans to draw in fresh air, and release old air.  The fans automatically start up as soon as the attic reaches certain temperatures, usually over 100° F.  If you decide to have a mechanical ventilation system installed, make sure it has an automatic shut off feature.  Increased air currents caused by attic fans can feed house fires so shut off valves allow the system to shutdown when temperatures rise dramatically.  Some attic fans can also be equipped with a humidistat that kicks the system on when the relative humidity exceeds 70%.

Along with good ventilation additional insulation is recommended for long term storage in the attic.  Insulation acts as a barrier slowing down the temperature changes and is rated by its efficiency.  Ventilation, insulation, and moisture buildup should be big considerations when converting your attic into storage space.  Proper set up is the start of insuring a usable storage space.Before starting your project of preparing your new storage space, make sure there is enough light to work with.

Before starting your project of preparing your new storage space, make sure there is enough light to work with.  Any items currently in the attic should be put to one area of the attic, use a shop vacuum to clean dust, debris, dirt and loose insulation.  Mop the area with warm soapy water, open windows to ventilate, clean under any boxes, and make sure to remove any areas that are torn or sagging.  Secure any loose items into airtight storage containers.  Get rid of unwelcome critters like, mice, bugs, harmful spiders, squirrels, birds, bats, raccoons, wasps, and bees.  If not taken care of, these creatures can be harmful and destructive.

When preparing your attic for storage, these other factors are also of great importance:

Check for other problems like roof leaks, cracks in the floor, walls, etc.  Remove any debris, loose boards.  Nail any loose floor boards.  Make sure to check for any moisture, or mold that has entered the area.  This can be potentially dangerous to you and your family.

Make sure the floors are strong enough to hold the weight of items to be stored.  There can be trouble if floors can’t support the weight of the stored items.  New floors may need to be installed.

Have an easy access to the storage space.  You may want to consider a pull down ladder or a new staircase may also be added.

Check with the city for permits which may be required if electrical or mechanical work needs to be done.

Now that the major work for your attic storage area is complete, you can decide if you want to create cabinetry, use storage shelving units, hanging shelves, etc to complete the space.  Shelving units can be attached to the exterior walls for easy storage organization or hanging shelves used for smaller goods.

Remember, items that will go for long term storage should be placed farthest away from easy access, and items you only need for short term storage should be closer and easiest to get to. 

Don’t stack heavy boxes on furniture, mark items fragile, and the use of air sealed containers is recommended.  You have now created the most efficient use of your attic storage space.

When storing flat screen TV’s (LCD or Plasma), electronics or other stereo equipment, 2 major points apply.  Temperature is important to be kept between 50-75 degrees F.  Electronics do not like the cold so make sure the storage unit does not get below 50 degrees.  Humidity is almost as important.  It’s critical that your storage unit is not too humid so try to avoid underground or basement storage units.  Some self storage places even have units equipped with a dehumidifier feature.

WHEN STORING FLAT SCREEN TV’S:

1. If possible keep the original packaging, both the box and Styrofoam packing, this is the best option.
2. If original packaging is not available, moving supply vendors and some self storage locations sell flat screen TV boxes with foam packing or Styrofoam peanuts.
3. Do not store a flat screen TV on its back, ever!  It can damage the internal parts.  Store it (and move it) standing up.

WHEN STORING ELECTRONICS LIKE STEREO COMPONENTS, COMPUTERS, ETC:

1. As with TV’s, keep the original packaging if possible.
2. If original packaging is not available wrap in a thin layer of foam wrap, and place in a box about 11/2 the size of the component and fill with packaging peanuts.  You can also use “static free” bags or “static free” bubble wrap sold at self storage locations or moving supply vendors.  There should never be bulges or peaks sticking up anywhere on the box.  This is damage waiting to happen.  Inside the storage unit, place any electronics or TV’s on pallets or some other way to keep them off the floor.

The use of desiccant pouches inside boxes with stored TV’s or electronics helps remove moisture.  Desiccant pouches are filled with silica gel and are usually inside the components when they are shipped from a factory.  These pouches can be obtained at an electronics store.

Always seal your cartons with carton sealing tape to protect from dust.  Make sure if storing multiple items inside one box; put an inventory of the items outside the box so no small item like a mouse or cable gets discarded by mistake.

Follow these tips when you store flat screen TV’s or electronics and they should remain in top condition.

When It comes to storing your vehicle, there are certain vehicle storage tips to follow to make sure the interior, exterior and engine stay in good condition.

1. When storing a vehicle, choose indoor storage if possible in a cool, dark, dry place out of sunlight (or under a cover if outside).
2. When storing your vehicle leave about ½ to full tank of fuel in the tank and add a fuel stabilizer so the fuel doesn’t breakdown.  Run the vehicle for about 20 minutes after you add the fuel stabilizer.
3. Change the oil and filter before storing a vehicle, try to avoid oils with additives as they may contain detergents potentially harmful to the engine.
4. Make sure the coolant level is within acceptable levels
5. When storing a vehicle, disconnect the battery,  and possibly get a battery maintainer (which only charges the battery periodically). Check with your vehicles manufacturer to familiarize yourself with the “do” and “don’ts” when using this type of battery device.
6. Check tire pressure and inflate to proper level.  If storing on bias ply tires for over a month, car should be put on jack stands so the tires don’t develop flat spots, if storing on radials , jack stands should be used after 3-4 months.
7. Don’t set the parking brake; you don’t want it to freeze up if storing your vehicle for an extended period of time.
8. Remove wipers from wiper arms and stand wiper arms up so they don’t contact the windshield.
9. Clean the inside and outside before storing a vehicle, especially around brakes, steering linkage, and axles to remove any built up dirt, salt, etc.
10. Place a sheet of plastic under the vehicle in storage as a vapor barrier (if inside in an unheated garage) to avoid condensation.  This can also expose any leaks.
11. Seal air intakes and exhaust pipes with rags, etc to prevent small animals from nesting.
12. Open the windows a crack for air circulation.

When storing a vehicle, if possible, check in on it once in a while like every month or two to make sure everything is still OK.  A quick inspection can help catch a developing problem.

If you decide you need to place your photographs in a self storage unit, you want to make sure that your storage facility has a dark, cool, and dry unit where your photos will be.  Climate controlled storage is key to preserve your photos.  Certain types of photos are more likely to deteriorate, so it’s best to keep the temperature between 65-75 degrees, with the humidity of about 35%-50% to avoid damage or loss of value.

Make sure when you are packing your photographs, before placing them into a self storage unit, you pack them properly.

A few tips for packing:

If photos are loose, you want to make sure that paper is placed between each photo to prevent them from sticking together.  Archival Paper is recommended to be used for documents or photos that will be preserved for a long time.  This type of paper holds colors well to avoid from fading.  Most supply stores sell archival paper for your photographs or important documents; some may refer to it as “Ph neutral” or “lignin free” paper.

Another option for your photos would be to place in an airtight plastic sleeve or folder to avoid moisture, but you want to make sure you avoid the use of PVC plastic if you are using this option for storage.  This type of plastic sleeve can stick to your pictures, and cause the pictures to fade.

Another option would be to put your pictures on a mat board.  This is generally more expensive, but you can do this prior to packing.  When it comes to your actual photo albums and packing, make sure they are on end, and you are alternating the spine of the album, one in-one out, or right/left, etc.  Store the albums in smaller boxes (about 1.5 cubic feet), called book boxes often supplied by moving companies or self storage companies who sell packing supplies.  Because of the density and weight of the photo albums, it’s important to keep the boxes small and to try and avoid stacking too much weight on top of them.

When placing your photos and boxes in storage, try to keep them either directly off the ground, on pallets, or something to raise them up a couple inches, just in case of moisture.  Don’t forget to check with your self storage unit, make sure they have climate controlled units, and to make sure the units are away from light.  Your pictures will be the way you left them by following these simple steps.  These are a few different ways to help you preserve your memories and valuable photos.

Fur coats are very luxurious items, and can be very expensive.  When your fur coat is not going to be in use especially over the summer months, its best to store your fur coats in a proper setting to ensure you will be able to wear it for years to come.

1.  Don’t store your fur coat like you would store your winter coats in a typical closet.
2. Keep fur coats out of direct sunlight.  The sunlight can cause oxidation to the fur, which can cause the fur to lose its value and cause damage.
3. When storing your fur coat, keep your fur coat away from other items, having your coat pressed up against anything can cause damage to the fur.
4. It’s best to preserve your furs during the summer months keeping it out of heat.  The best temperature for storing a fur coat is between 40-50 degrees, and with limited fluctuations on the temperature.
5. An air-conditioned home can sometimes cause too much humidity causing the leather on the fur to crack, and the fur to fall off, you want to maintain the humidity to about 50 %.
6. Avoid cedar closets and moth balls when storing your fur coat.  The smell of the cedar or moth balls can be absorbed into your coat.
7. Do not place your fur coat in plastic, this can destroy the look of your garment.
8. Never comb your fur coat with a comb or brush, the best way is to smooth it out with your hand, and if your coat gets wet, do not use a blow dryer to dry it.
9. It’s best to use a professional fur storage facility, dry cleaner storage, or self storage place with temperature control for your storage options.  You may have to pay a little more than storing it on your own, but most places have insurance options, and are better equipped for the job.
10. Make sure to have your fur professionally cleaned before putting your garment into storage.

These storage tips should help keep your fur coat looking in tip top shape for many years to come.

Facts:

Did you know that in our time, most wine bottles have UV filters for light? Too much light or UV rays can cause a pungent odor to your wine.  Storing wine into dirty containers, and exposure to air can quickly turn you good wine into vinegar.  Wine breathes so you want to keep away from strong odors to avoid the smell going through the cork and tampering with the wine.  Cheap wine does not improve over time.  Red wines usually take 2-10 years to mature depending on the type of wine, the balance of acid, sugars, and tannins.  White wines are generally good for 2-3 years, and White Burgundies (Chardonnay) need to be aged 5-20 years.  Wine should be stored at a cool temperature. The ideal temperature for storing wine would be between 54-68 degrees, not exceeding 75 degrees.  The temperature of wine should never fluctuate more than 3 degrees per day, and 5 degrees per year.  The more changes in the temperature, the greater the chance wine has of over breathing.  If the temperature is below 54 degrees, this slows down the aging process.  If the wine is stored about 75 degrees, it causes the wine to age 4x’s faster than normal, and can lose its fruitiness, and value.  You want to make sure the humidity for storing wine is about 70%, and the air is circulating in the area to reduce the chance of mold.  A hygrometer can track the humidity levels.  Movement or vibrations can decrease the value of your wine.

TIPS FOR WINE STORAGE:

You want to make sure you follow these general rules when it comes to storing your wine. 

• Keep the wine at a constant, cool temperature, never letting the temperature get above 75 degrees; this can cause the wine to oxidize. 
• Its best to store your wine on its side, the key is to make sure you keep the cork from drying out, and causing the wine to oxidize.
• Avoid locations where there is a lot of movement, or vibrations.
• Keep your wine in a dark area, avoid areas of direct sunlight, or UV rays
• High humidity levels are better than low humidity levels for wine.

STORAGE:

Wine storage can be broken down into 3 different categories.  Long Term Storage, Short Term storage, and Storage after the Wine is opened up.

Long Term:  This is generally for wine that will be stored for more than 6 months.  Wine storage should be low constant temperature, about 70% humidity, free of movement and vibration, and a dark area.  High humidity can cause growth of mold on the labels, but is better for the wine.  With too much light, this can result in an off taste and smell to the wine, especially with white and sparkling wines. 

Short Term:  This is generally for wine that will be consumed within 6 months or less.  You want to keep the conditions as close to long term storage, but a short term solution would be like using an interior closet, basement under the stair case, or under the sink as a last resort.

Open Bottles:  If the wine has been opened, you want to make sure (especially if its white wine), it is consumed within 3-5 days.  Make sure the cork is tight on the bottle.  You may want to use a cork stopper and pump to minimize exposure to air.  If storing in a refrigerator, avoid leaving the fridge open for a long time, because the exposure to the light can affect the wine.  If it is red wine, leave out, and keep the cork tight.  Desert wines can generally stay fresh for about 3-5 days.

DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR WINE STORAGE: 

These are a few options for you depending on which type of storage you are looking for.  Wine storage can come in many sizes, shapes, and colors depending on what your storage needs are.

Wine Racks:  Come in both wood and metal forms, good for use under a bar area, can also come in floor to ceiling models, depending on your needs.  This form does not protect your wine from light, or help avoid temperature fluctuations, but if built in to a location, can avoid vibrations depending on the make. 

Insulated Wine Cellar:  Insulated wine cellars protect your wine from colder and warmer temperatures, and also remain at a constant temperature.  The insulated vs. non-insulated can be more consistent with maintaining temperatures.

Closet Wine Cellar:  Can be built into your home, for instant a closet, and can be kept floor to ceiling.  Can ease with maintaining temperatures, darkness, and avoid vibrations.  You want to make sure with your closet wine cellar that the air quality and circulation is good especially for long term storage.

Wine Cooler/Refrigerator:  A wine refrigerator is a great way to protect your wine; they usually stay at a constant 55 degrees with better air circulation to help prevent any mold growth.

Now that you have finished wine storage 101, you should have a better understanding on the proper ways to store your wine.

When storing documents and other media, there are a few different options available.  For most people’s needs a few tips and a small self storage locker do the trick but there are other services available.

DATA BACK UP SYSTEMS:

For a home based business, certain companies can provide data back up to an offsite server.  Files are encrypted for security and can be accessed quickly and easily.  For residential data backup a password protected CD or DVD is a good way to preserve needed data.

MOVING COMPANY RECORD STORAGE:

Some moving companies specialize in storing, delivery and pickup, and managing documents.  It’s more of a costly option and not necessary for the average home owner.

SELF STORAGE:

This is the most common method people use to storage important documents, medical records, tax information etc.  Follow these tips for the best results.

PACKING TIPS:

 Pack documents in smaller boxes like book boxes or office moving totes.  Paper is dense and the boxes will get heavy fast.  Making the boxes smaller also makes it easier to be more specific with the description of the contents on the outside of the box.  Some people like to use rigid plastic containers for the waterproof factor.  Whatever containers you use mark all boxes on the same end in the top right corner for ease of identification.  Permanent markers and stickers work well to I.D.

STORAGE TIPS:

When storing, many people (and businesses) like to use steel racking or shelving for ease of viewing and retrieval.  The rule of thumb is to store the oldest or least needed items at the bottom and/or in the back.  If you’re not using racking, use pallets or some other method to get the boxes off the ground.  Try not to stack too high as this will make retrieval more difficult.

GENERAL TIPS:

Make multiple copies of stored documents and keep them in a different location.  Any documents that must be originals should be kept in a locked fireproof file or fireproof safe.  When packing CD’s or DVD’s, or video tapes, use ant-static packaging to preserve the date.  Climate controlled storage is preferable to avoid extreme heat and humidity changes.

Following these tips can make storing you information more orderly and easier to maintain.