What Should I Store in a Climate-Controlled Storage Unit?

What Should I Store in a Climate-Controlled Storage Unit?

Anything can be stored in a climate-controlled storage unit, this is a great space for any and all items you wish to store for the long term. However, if you must make a choice, move these items into climate-controlled storage first:

• Antiques and family heirlooms. Old and precious objects that you want to preserve for another generation, be they needlecraft, newspaper clippings, photographs or large objects like vintage furniture, need to go straight to climate-controlled storage. Exposing these items to fluctuating temperatures and unchecked humidity will encourage incurable damage and risk mold contamination.
• Anything made of paper. Whether you want to put some of your favorite books into storage for now, or just stash boxes of documents your business is required to keep, paper of all sorts is more delicate than most people imagine. If you choose to store vital documents like birth certificates and personal financial records, they should also go into climate-controlled storage. Not only will this help keep them preserved, but because most facilities are generally more secure than drive-up traditional storage, it will help keep them safe.
• Plastic, wax and vinyl. There’s little that’s as much the enemy of plastic, wax, vinyl and other soft materials as heat. Storing these materials, or things made of these materials, like DVDs, CDs, records or candles in traditional storage facilities is a great way to ensure they don’t survive their time there.
• Furniture and electronics. Most furniture is a collection of wood and metal, with some fabric thrown in for good measure. All these materials are subject to serious damage if exposed to constant temperature and humidity fluctuation over time. Electronics are even more sensitive, with the potential for much more damage, even over the short term.
• Art and musical instruments. Although made of very different materials, both original art and musical instruments share a need for precision. When left in a hot, humid storage unit, oil paints, for example, may start to run, and instruments may warp.
• Medical supplies and cosmetics. Also requiring a great deal of precision to work properly, medical supplies should never be stored where there are dramatic environmental changes. Cosmetics are also delicate, with too much heat or humidity rendering them unusable.
• Fabrics, clothing and linens. Fabrics may weather changes in temperatures better than many other items, but they’re prone to molding when the humidity is too high. Specific adornments on clothing or curtains may even warp when exposed to extreme heat.

Content is a repost from: realestate.usnews.com (Kristi Waterworth, published on 5/15/23)