Storing musical instruments properly is essential to preserving their quality and promoting their longevity. Whether you’re keeping them at home or in a climate-controlled storage unit, here are some key tips for proper musical instrument storage.
Consider the Storage Needs of Your Instrument
Though most musical instruments require the same basic storage conditions, it’s important to understand the unique risks each type faces. Knowing these concerns can help you take extra precautions to preserve their quality:
- String instruments: These instruments are vulnerable to wood warping, cracking, shrinkage, or expansion if exposed to fluctuating temperatures and humidity.
- Brass instruments: Brass components are prone to rust or corrosion if stored in damp or humid conditions.
- Woodwind instruments: High humidity and direct sunlight can cause warping, swelling, or damage to delicate pads.
- Pianos & keyboards: Direct sunlight or fluctuating humidity can lead to cracking or warping of wood and plastic components.
- Percussion instruments: Wooden parts can warp and metal components can rust if not kept in a stable, dry environment.
Clean & Disassemble
To preserve the quality of your instrument, it’s important to clean it thoroughly before storing it. Proper cleaning can help prevent warping, cracking, corrosion, and the growth of mold or bacteria. Be sure to follow the specific cleaning instructions for your instrument to ensure it receives the right care and maintenance. Here are some general steps to follow when disassembling and cleaning your instrument for storage:
- Remove any mouthpieces, slides, valves, or hardware.
- Loosen or remove any strings to relieve tension and prevent damage.
- Use appropriate supplies such as microfiber cloths, soft-bristle brushes, mild soap solutions, and oils to clean the instrument.
- Ensure the instrument is completely dry before storing it to prevent rust, mold, cracking, or shrinkage.
Store Instruments in Cases
Once your instrument is cleaned and disassembled, store it properly in its case to protect it. Follow these steps to ensure it’s securely placed:
- Use a hard case that fits the instrument snugly—without pressing on any parts or allowing it to shift.
- Secure all instrument parts with straps, soft padding, or foam inserts to prevent displacement.
- If you don’t have a hard instrument case, create a protective wrapping using a soft cloth, blanket, pillowcase, or fabric bag.
- When closing the case, check that all zippers and latches are tightly fastened.
Choose a Proper Storage Environment
Understanding how a storage environment can affect your instrument’s quality is essential. If you don’t have a suitable space at home, consider using a climate-controlled storage unit. Here are some key factors to keep in mind when choosing a storage area:
- Temperature: Storing an instrument where it’s too cold or too hot can cause instruments to contract or expand. Most instruments should be stored in temperatures around 60-70 degrees. Avoid areas where temperatures fluctuate, such as basements and attics.
- Humidity: Excessive moisture or dry air can also cause shrinkage and expansion, as well as rust, mildew growth, and other forms of damage. Choose a space where humidity levels stay between 40-60%.
- Sunlight: Avoid storing instruments in direct sunlight, as it can damage finishes, cause materials to degrade, and throw parts out of tune.
- Moisture: High moisture levels can lead to rust, mold, and deterioriation. Ensure the storage area is dry, free from leaks, and well-ventilated to prevent prolonged moisture exposure.
Keep Instruments Off the Floor
Storing instruments off the floor helps to avoid any physical damage from being stepped on or knocked over, while also protecting against moisture, dust, and dirt. Here are some storage solutions to consider:
- Utilize storage racks or shelves: If you opt for wooden or metal shelves, use padded cushions to help prevent scratches and place heavier instruments on the bottom and lighter ones on top to ensure stability.
- Hang instruments: Use high-quality hooks and hangers to securely attach instruments like guitars to the wall.
- Use storage cabinets: This option provides an enclosed space that helps keep your instruments protected while still offering easy access.
Maintain & Care for Stored Instruments
Whether you store your instrument at home or in a storage facility, inspect it every one to six months for signs of damage. If any issues are found, take the instrument to a repair shop immediately to maintain its quality. To help prevent damage, follow these maintenance tips:
- Regularly check instruments for signs of damage—including warping, cracking, rust, corrosion, mold, mildew, string tension loss, and finish damage.
- Tighten loose parts and reapply oils to help preserve appearance and prevent corrosion or warping.
- Periodically check the storage environment’s temperature and humidity levels to ensure they remain stable.
***
Need to store musical instruments while moving or to free up space at home? With climate control at Extra Space Storage, you can help keep your instrument in a more consistent storage environment. Find climate-controlled storage near you!
