Climate-controlled storage is designed to help protect stored items from temperature-related damage between seasons. Though there are many types of climate-controlled storage options available, a storage unit with climate control will typically maintain a temperature between 55 and 80 degrees and help balance humidity levels year-round. Here are common items that require climate-controlled storage!
Antiques
Temperature-controlled storage can significantly benefit antiques. Because of their age, antique furniture is often more sensitive—and more difficult and costly to replace if damaged since it’s no longer in production. Due to fluctuating temperatures, antique jewelry, mirrors, and glassware can tarnish and warp without climate control. Antique wood furniture needs to be treated with extra care because humidity and water vapor cause the natural or veneered wood to shrink and swell.
Artwork
Properly storing artwork in a climate-controlled unit can help prevent damage from UV exposure, moisture, and fluctuating temperatures. Incorrectly storing canvases, prints, sketches, oil paintings, and other artwork may result in damage loss of value. Hot temperatures and humidity are another big concern for artwork since paint can crack, mold can grow, and mildew can spread if not artwork isn’t properly stored.
Clothing & Fabric
Exposure to extreme cold, heat, and humidity may cause damage to certain materials. Storing clothing made out of silk, lace, or other delicate fabrics in a place with excess moisture can result in mold and mildew. Temperature fluctuations and sunlight exposure cause expensive leather to crack or crease and can fade fabrics over time. Climate-controlled storage—along with proper packing in vacuum-sealed bags, cardboard boxes, or plastic bins—can help keep linens, clothing, and more in good condition.
Collectibles
Collectibles and keepsakes—like stamp collections, coins, trading cards, vintage books, comic books, magazines, and newspapers—can benefit from a unit with climate control. Drastic temperature fluctuations and humidity will cause coins to start the oxidation process. Stamps will curl and stick in high temperatures or humidity, while other paper-based items like newspapers and comic books can wrinkle and stick together if exposed to moisture. Collectibles like toys, action figures, metal or plastic figurines, and vinyl records can also benefit from climate control, as they will warp with exposure to extreme temperatures.
Cosmetics & Toiletries
While keeping cosmetics in bags or hall closets is fine for everyday use, there are instances where you’ll want to protect them with climate-controlled storage. Whether you need storage during college breaks or you’re using short-term storage between homes, you can protect your beauty products from deteriorating in quality. High temperatures in particular can cause ingredients in makeup, skincare, or hygiene products to melt or change consistency, making the product unusable. Be sure to discard any expired toiletries or cosmetics since high humidity and moisture can lead to mold growth.
Documents
Important documents like birth certificates, tax records, contracts, or business documents needing long-term storage should be kept in climate control for optimal preservation. Keeping them inside a storage unit can free up space in an office, workspace, attic, or basement so you have room for other things. Climate control can help prevent documents from fading or warping in the heat and from absorbing moisture that can lead to mold or mildew.
Electronics & Media
If you’re looking for long-term or short-term storage for your electronics, a climate-controlled storage unit can help you protect these sensitive items from short-circuiting, freezing, and more. All types of consumer electronics require climate control, including TVs, computers, audio equipment, DVD players, video game systems, cameras, stereos, record players, and more. Climate control also helps prevent screen damage and keeps internal metal and wires from corrosion. Additionally, batteries within electronic devices can drain faster or charge less effectively if they are kept in extremely hot or cold environments.
Furniture
Storing furniture in a climate-controlled unit is one of the best ways to prevent damage from hot or cold temperatures. Wooden furniture like bed frames, dressers, end tables, nightstands, and entertainment centers exposed to hot temperatures and high humidity can warp, crack, or rot. For added protection while your items are in storage, make sure to cover furniture with moving blankets or plastic tarps. With temperature fluctuation, improperly stored leather furniture can discolor, crack, and grow mildew, making for an expensive repair. Metal, wicker, or upholstered furniture—and even outdoor patio furniture—can become damaged with exposure to colder temperatures or damp conditions.
Household Appliances
Climate-controlled storage can benefit household appliances like washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens, microwaves, refrigerators, grills, and tailgating equipment. The metal, electronic, and mechanical parts inside these expensive appliances can warp, crack, and corrode in extreme temperatures, so renting a climate-controlled storage unit can help protect them from damage. When storing kitchen appliances, make sure to remove the water hose to prevent mold or freezing water from collecting, which can result in ruptured tubing. Because climate-controlled units maintain a unit’s temperature and humidity levels, this storage amenity can prevent mold and mildew from building inside the appliances and help prevent accidental corrosion.
Machines & Motorized Equipment
Outdoor equipment—like lawnmowers and snow blowers—and indoor equipment are susceptible to the same temperature-related damage as electronics. Additionally, mechanical crafting equipment like sewing machines need to be stored in climate control because the round belts and V-belts can easily shrink or expand with fluctuating temperatures—and outdoor tools can rust due to moisture. The gas or electric motor components of machines are also liable to degradation and decay if they aren’t put into climate-controlled storage.
Musical Instruments
Whether you’re storing musical instruments for a short while or long term, a climate-controlled storage unit is necessary. Different types of instruments may require additional care, and repairs or replacements on owned and rented instruments can be expensive. Percussion and string instruments like pianos and guitars can snap, rust, and corrode with excess moisture. Areas with humidity or high temperatures can soften glue and adhesives—and the felt, rubber, or cork used in a variety of woodwind and brass instruments can deteriorate or grow bacteria over time. Instrument equipment like amps require climate control because their electronic components can break down if left in extremely hot or cold environments. Consider wrapping your instrument cases in plastic wrap to help create an additional barrier between your instrument and possible moisture.
Pharmaceutical Supplies & Medications
Storing medications, medical supplies, and equipment in a climate-controlled unit helps maintain their quality. If you’re a pharmaceutical sales representative, a climate-controlled environment is great for maintaining temperatures and humidity levels for sensitive products like pharmaceutical samples, inventory, and medical equipment—including mobility aids like wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters. That said, remember to be aware of expiration dates and storage instructions on prescription bottles and other supplies when storing them, as some medications may require refrigeration.
Photographs
If you are looking for one of the best ways to store new and old photos, climate-controlled storage can help preserve your family keepsakes for years to come. When photo albums and boxes of photos are stored in areas with high temperatures and humidity, the photographic paper can become damp, warp, fade, and blend together. Valuable framed photos should also be stored in plastic bins in a climate-controlled environment to help protect both the frames and the photos within. Use archival photo storage boxes, polyethylene sleeves, or acid-free envelopes to prevent photographic negatives from cracking and protect against UV light damage.
Sports Equipment
Recreational equipment and sports supplies like volleyball nets, cleats, balls, pads, pickleball paddles, tennis rackets, or helmets can last longer in climate-controlled storage. Usually made of plastic and metal, sporting equipment is prone to warping or cracking. Camping gear, hiking equipment, and outdoor gadgets should also be stored with climate control to preserve their quality and integrity. Mountain bikes, e-bikes, and other types of bicycle parts like leather seats, gears, and batteries may become damaged in severe temperatures and humidity levels. If you plan to keep any sports equipment stored for a long period of time, climate control will be the best option.
Vehicles
Whether you’re storing a classic car or prepping for winter vehicle storage, finding an indoor storage unit with climate control is ideal to keep your vehicles in working condition. Motorized vehicles like cars, motorcycles, jet skis, ATVs, dirt bikes, mopeds, or scooters are susceptible to paint, rust, hail damage, and more if left outside. And while garages can provide some protection, the likilhood of scratches decreases if you store your care in a climate-controlled unit. Extreme temperatures and humidity impact the engine, pumps, or batteries of motorized vehicles—so preparing a car for long-term storage can help prevent costly repairs. If you have classic or vintage cars that need indoor storage, climate control can help keep them in excellent show car condition.
Wine
Humidity and extreme temperatures can adversely affect wine over time, altering its taste and diminishing its worth. Properly storing wine is necessary to help prevent wine aging, oxidation, cork taint, and refermentation. Avoid UV light, limit vibrations, and maintain stable temperatures to help keep your fine wine collection in pristine condition—an easy effort with a climate-controlled unit. Specialized wine storage units will also allow you to monitor your aging wine, prevent corks from drying out, and even provide you with space for wooden or metal wine racks.
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Looking to protect your precious belongings from damage? Store temperature-sensitive items at Extra Space Storage—which offers air-cooled storage, heated storage, humidity-controlled storage, and climate control at facilities across the U.S. Find climate-controlled storage near you!
