The world of electronic devices moves fast; they are quickly updated with the newest model replacing the older one, sometimes in less than a year.
Issues arise in each household when this technology is updated too quickly since, most of the time, owners can’t sell the old appliance fast enough or even don’t want to because of their sentimental, market or collectable value. There are also situations where people move to a new house or are in the middle of a home renovation and need to keep this equipment safe until they can move back in again. The same can happen with certain business locations and small stores that get new stock on electronic devices before selling out their old ones.
This is when self-storage space becomes a necessity. For homeowners, is a safe way to store their old/recent technology and keep them in good condition. For business owners is a solution to manage their in-house storage better to receive a new shipment of product.
Storing Your Electronic Devices – 7 Easy Steps to Follow
While electronic devices are not exactly fragile items, they do require certain conditions to keep them stored properly, after all, most of their components are susceptible to be affected by weather conditions, even if they are completely sealed.
Most of the circuitry on electronic devices has a limited lifespan that can be extended by using and storing them properly. Here’s what you should take into account if you need to place them in a storage unit for an extended period of time:
- Remove Batteries, Media and Backup all the Data
If you are storing equipment such as cell phones, smartphones, battery-powered radios, laptops, MP3 decks or any other device that needs and uses batteries, make sure to remove them first since they can become damaged and leak sulphates on the main equipment damaging all the circuitry.
If you are storing devices such as Blu-ray units, DVD players or CD players, make sure they don’t have any sort of media unit on the inside. Finally, if you are storing pcs, laptops, tablets or external hard drives, make sure you back up all the data and store it off-site or online.
- Make a Record of the Current Configuration, and Then Remove Wires, Power Units and Cables from your Devices
You probably have heard this recommendation more than once since it’s usually advised to people leaving home for extended trips too. By disconnecting and removing wires and cables, it eliminates stress on the sockets.
Make sure to first take a picture of the back of the electronic devices before detaching any connections and also store these power units and cables along the right device, though, because this will help you re-connect them later when you need them again.
- Remove Every Trace of Dust from the Items
If you are storing used electronic devices, you should clean them off first. Remove all dust using a piece of dry cloth, this way, you’ll prevent dirt or dust particles to affect its circuitry, also, consider airing out your items with a can of compressed air for a thorough clean. If you are a business owner storing remaining stock in a separate space out of your warehouse, make sure the boxes and covers of the items are dust-free and clean.
- Store Your Electronic Devices in Their Original Packaging or Protect Them Using Dust Sheets
There are two ways to go around this step. The first and best option is to pack these items securely in their original boxes and internal supports they came in. The cardboard cut-outs and foam inserts are specially designed to keep the devices safe. This foam has a cloth-like property that keeps dust particles away, and it never loses its sturdiness.
If you don’t have their original packaging, another option is to use clean cotton sheets since these will not allow the passing of any outside particles that could damage your device and will also prevent any scratches.
Avoid the use of plastics because this material is highly susceptible to moisture build-up and condensation, very harmful for electronic items.
- Pack Your Smaller Electronic Devices in Storage Boxes
Even if you are not planning to keep your electronic items stored for too long, you need to make sure they are well-protected. Box your items to avoid damage, either by keeping their original package or by using a regular storage box. Avoid using used boxes because they usually lack the sturdiness necessary to keep your items safe. Do your best to use brand new material and use several layers of packing tape to keep your boxes sealed.
6. Use the Back of the Storage Unit to Store the Equipment
If you are storing electronic equipment with other items such as furniture, make sure to place them off the floor, with the proper side of the box facing upward and on the deep back end of the storage unit, that way, your items will avoid any damage from any other of your belongings.
Also, do your best to keep certain levels of organization inside the unit, prioritising the placement of heavier and larger items on the bottom and placing smaller and lighter items on top. Always taking into account their sturdiness or the type of packing used to store them and in doubt, the best option is not to stack anything at all.
As you can see, storing your electronic devices is not as easy as throwing them all together inside a storage unit and hoping for the best. You really need to take some preventive measures if you are hoping they can keep working as always when you finally retrieve them. Take this advice into account and do your best to keep them safe.
Contact us today for climate-controlled self-storage, perfect for electronics devices and other household items.
