How To Store Your Appliances
Oftentimes you don’t think of storing your washer or refrigerator, but you’d be surprised just how common it is to find one in a storage facility. Perhaps you find yourself in a situation where you need to store an appliance. Thankfully, Teasley Lane Self-Storage is here to help you with this guide.
Whether you’re relocating to a new home that isn’t quite ready for you to move in, have a spare between you and your roommate, or maybe you just want to hold onto them until you sell or pass them on to another owner, a storage unit can be a great solution for storing your appliance.
Preparing your appliances for the storage unit
The first thing you need to do is prepare your dishwasher, refrigerator, or other appliance, and you can start with a good cleaning.
Make sure you give your attention to any air intake area, such as a lint filter on a dryer.
When cleaning things such as a refrigerator, take time to clean the interior and wipe it dry, make sure to drain water from the holding tank, and clean any defrost pans. And while we’re on the topic of water, now’s a good time to remove any of it from any hoses or parts of a washing machine, dishwasher, and even a dryer. Lastly, spray appliances for bugs and wait for them to dry before moving. (Don't forget to thoroughly wash it when it comes time to bring it back home.)
Always take caution when moving heavier appliances by using a dolly or handcart and be sure to keep refrigerators upright to prevent any damage to the refrigeration unit. Use strong tape or straps to keep any doors from falling open while relocation, and you should use moving blankets to protect any glass surfaces or windows from any bumps while it’s moving. It’s also recommended you load these heavier items last on your truck, so they can be the first to be removed.
Storage features needed for appliances
Preparing your items for storage is only half the equation, next you need to make sure your storage unit is right for storing your appliances. For example, you may want to find a storage unit with drive-up access. This feature allows you to pull your trailer or truck directly up to your unit, making for easy offloading and picking up heavier items.
Another important feature to consider is security. Appliances can be expensive, so protect your belongings with features such as electronic gate access, which requires a key code to enter the facility, as well as on-site management and video surveillance.
Lastly, if you live in an area with extreme seasonal weather—whether frigid winters or hot, humid summers—protect your appliances with climate control. Weather fluctuations can cause problems such as cracking in the tubing, rust on metal components, and even short-out electronics. Using a climate-controlled storage unit, you can preserve your appliances at a moderate temperature and humidity level, making them work-ready once you remove them from storage.
Placing your appliances in self-storage
Once you’re ready to place your appliances into storage; having prepared them and found the perfect storage unit, carefully place your washer, dryer, or refrigerator inside the unit. Keep in mind, that it cannot be plugged in if you do not have access to electrical outlets, so don’t plan to store anything inside the fridge.
Remove any tape or strapping on the doors, allowing them to be open and “air out” while in storage, preventing any mildew from forming. I like to use the shelves themselves to keep the doors cracked. This works great no matter the brand or configuration of your refrigerator. Lastly, it’s recommended you cover your appliances in a sheet or tarp to reduce dust and protect them from any bumps and scrapes. I usually recommend that people hit up the local thrift store for bedding to wrap around it or use those old sheets you haven’t quite thrown away yet.
Appliances can be expensive, and oftentimes worth holding on to if you don’t have an immediate need. Thankfully, with the right steps and self-storage features, holding on to your washer/dryer, fridge, oven, or even a dishwasher can be easy!
