Do and Dont Storage Guide

The threat of damaged storage typically comes by the climate, especially by changes in temperature and humidity. Oil paintings, for instance, must be dry a year before you can store them and should optimally be kept at 70-76F and 40-50% humiditynever fluctuating more than five degrees within a twenty-four hour period. Also, artwork should be kept off the ground and only lightly covered with breathable, acid-free tissue paper.

Before renting a unit, consider whether or not your property requires special care, namely a climate-controlled unit. Most items you need to worry about are listed below.

What Not to Store

Gasses/Toxins aerosol cans, gasoline, propane tanks, paint, car batteries, pesticides, hairspray, etc.

Candles and Scented Items the smell will permeate boxes and plastic and seep into cloth. It will never leave. Also, there is nothing that will attract bugs faster than scents or liquid.

Ammunition/Explosives its illegal to store ammunition and explosives in most states. Units can become dangerously hot and, well, gunpowder and heat arent friends.

Food/Liquid dont even risk it. Even canned food can bloat in storage over time, and if something should burst, you will be overrun with rodents and mold.

Store in a Climate-Controlled Unit

Artwork beware humidity and temperature change. It can cause canvas sagging, paint cracking, frame distortion, sunspots, and more.

Glass/Breakables extreme temperature changes can weaken and break glass and even porcelain.

Wool/Clothing/Carpets sunlight can fade color, and humidity will cause molding.

Books/Documents heat and humidity are the danger with books and documents. If exposed to either, the papers shape will distort and its print will fade.

Electronics temperature and humidity will ruin electronic wiring and batteries and will increase the likeliness of oxidation.

Wood humidity will bend, expand, bubble, and decay wood furniture.

Leather extreme temperatures will crack leather and also fade the color.

Coins if you collect coins, know that humidity will cause oxidation of the zinc or copper metals. Any collectable items should be kept in a climate-controlled atmosphere.

Musical Instruments you MUST keep instruments in climate-controlled units. If you dont, wind instrument strings snap or lose their ability to be tuned. Metal instruments will corrode and build bacteria as the rubber, cork, and felt decay.