How to Store Electronics In Your Storage Unit

Sensitive electronics can often require special care to guarantee they continue to function properly, and the same is true when you’re thinking of putting them into storage. 

Planning ahead and ensuring your electronics are stored properly is key to keeping them in the best possible condition. To help you out, we’ve put together this handy guide with everything you need to know about storing your electronics.

Who Would Use a Storage Unit for Electronics Storage?

There are a number of people and groups who stand to gain from putting their electronics in storage. We’ll break down some common use cases below.

Personal and Individual Use

Storage units can be a great option for personal use, especially if you’re someone who happens to have a number of sensitive electronics at your home. Whether you’re a collector of older electronics like record players, VHS machines, or video game consoles, or simply a contemporary audiophile always looking for the best in sound technology, a personal storage unit can keep your valuable electronics safe. 

Electronics Businesses

Owning an electronics store can be challenging, especially as you try to compete with the big-box stores in the area. Here are a few ways commercial storage space can help. 

• Store your overstock. If you’re running out of on-site space to store old inventory or overstock, a storage unit is the perfect solution. Your units will be safe and kept in perfect working order, for whenever you need them. 
• Taking stock of your items. You most likely do inventory every year, and putting some items into storage can be a great time to take stock of what you have in your store. There may be some electronics that don’t sell quite as fast, or that you have a large amount of, and moving some of those things into storage can make room for those items that do sell more quickly. 
• Month-to-month storage. You may have a busy season when you receive lots of new shipments and your shop is overflowing with inventory. With our month-to-month storage options, you can store electronics for the time you need, and then move everything out during your slow time of the year.

Office Electronics

Your office computers and phones are very important, and if you have older models that you need to remove to make way for newer options, it can make sense to store those older electronics. They were a major investment after all, and can be a good backup should something happen to one of your new computers or phones.

 

Benefits of Storing Your Electronics in a Storage Unit

Storing your electronics in a storage unit offers a number of clear benefits, chief among them: 

• Peace of mind. You can rest easy knowing that your valuable electronics are safe in a storage facility protected by top-notch security. 
• Space. Have you recently purchased some new electronics but aren’t ready to let go of the old ones? Clear up space in your house by placing your old electronics in a storage unit. They’ll be there whenever you need them.

How to Properly Store Your Electronics

Safely storing your electronics isn’t just about finding the right storage unit, however. There are a number of things to keep in mind when packing and storing your electronics that will help keep them in tip-top shape, including:

• Read the manual. Read your owner’s manual provided by the manufacturer for information on how to properly store your electronic device.
• Store in its original box and packaging. The original manufacturer created a box and packaging that was made specifically for an item, so why wouldn’t you take advantage of it? The cardboard and shaped styrofoam can keep the electronics from shifting and provide structure while the boxes are stacked on top of one another. 
• Organize cords and accessories by wrapping them up and labeling them. Once your cords are organized and secured, store them in a rubber bin with a sealing lid. This will make things easier when you’re ready to retrieve your items. 
• Remove batteries from your devices. Batteries can easily decay in storage, especially if they’re actively in place. To prevent battery acid and other mineral deposits from occurring in your electronics, make sure to remove their batteries before you place them in storage. 
• Clean your electronics before storing. Dust can be an electronic item’s worst enemy, but with the right care, you can keep everything in working order. It’s also a good idea to clean each item before you put it in its box and stack them in your storage unit.
• Use blankets and padding. Take care to wrap your screens carefully to prevent them from being damaged in storage. Always store screens upright, never upside down, and facing a wall.

Why You Should Use Climate-Controlled Storage

While regular storage units may be safe for some less complex electronics, it’s generally much safer to store any and all electronics in a climate-controlled storage unit. There are two major reasons this is important: 

• Temperature. Extreme weather and shifts in temperature can easily damage your electronics.
• Humidity. Climate-controlled storage units can also maintain a consistent humidity level so your electronics last for a very long time.

It’s a good idea to consider climate-controlled storage. A climate-controlled storage unit can be a great option for electronics, since temperature fluctuations can cause problems for sensitive components found in record players and video game systems.

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

To make things easier for you, we’ve brought together answers to some frequently asked questions about how to store your electronics. 

Is it safe to store electronics in a storage unit?

It depends on the type of unit. Sensitive electronics can experience damage if kept in a regular storage unit for a long period of time, owing to extreme temperatures. However, it’s perfectly safe to store electronics in a climate-controlled storage unit. 

How do you store electronics long-term?

If you’re storing electronics for a long period of time, we recommend using the items’ original packaging, securing and organizing all relevant cords and wires, and following the storage advice in your owner’s manual. Finally, a climate-controlled storage unit will guarantee your sensitive electronics are safe. 

Can you store electronics in plastic containers?

Electronic devices can be stored in plastic containers, though we recommend adding silica gel packets to the containers to provide protection against moisture. Without this extra measure, the plastic can trap moisture and create an environment where mold and mildew develop. 

Can you store electronics in non-climate controlled storage?

We wouldn’t recommend you store electronics in non-climate controlled storage. Extreme weather, including high and low temperatures, can damage electronics. Heat in particular can melt sensitive components beyond the point of repair.