How to Store Electronics Long-Term

All My Sons Moving & Storage offers full-service storage solutions including packing, loading, and transport of all the goods you want safeguarded in storage, including the electronics.

Fun tech like your computer, television, gaming system, and all manner of battery-operated devices need some extra care when going into long-term storage. To avoid a device losing its spark while in storage, you should pack your items with attentive care.

When selecting a self-storage facility or looking for a place on your property to store electronics for the long haul, there are a few specific factors you should keep in mind. These factors damage items in storage like your electronics over time. 

• Temperature: Electronics are highly sensitive to extreme shifts in temperature. If you have electronics in the items you intend to store, selecting a temperature-controlled storage unit is a good investment.

• Moisture: While in storage, humidity and condensation can build up on electronics causing corrosion, short circuits, and the breakdown of insulation material in your electronic device.  

• Gravity: Items stacked on one another can settle over time. This might cause cracks in containers and casing of electronic devices, leading to more damage to internal components.

• Pests: Storage facilities take measures to safeguard your items against pecky invaders like rodents and insects, but they have no control over what you or others bring into the facility. Pests can chew through wires and make destructive nests in electronic devices. If you are storing electronics at home, you will need to make sure you do your own pest-control as well.

Properly preparing items for storage is an essential part of helping items like your electronics stay in great condition for the duration of their stay.

• Backup All Essential Data: For computers, laptops, hard drives, and any other electronic items that contain files you do not want to lose, run a data-backup before you power off the device. Put data in cloud storage or on an external hard drive you will take with you. 

• Disconnect Cables and Remove Batteries: Batteries in remotes, keyboards, and mice are likely to leak and cause damage to the inside of your device. Remove all batteries and disconnect cables from all other devices.

• Clean and Dust Devices: Use a microfiber cloth to clean vents and surfaces, removing all dust and debris from your devices. Dust will only accumulate during long-term storage.

• Organize Cables and Accessories: Wrap cables and cords carefully and use rubber bands, Velcro straps, or zip ties to keep them coiled. Use masking tape to label cables and accessories so you do not forget which cord belongs to which machine. 

• Wrap Devices in Anti-Static Packing Material: Encase your devices in anti-static bags or use anti-static foam to cushion devices inside their boxes or containers. This helps prevent devices from being jostled when they are moved and keeps devices insulated during storage.

• Pack with Desiccants: Silica gel packets help keep the air around your electronic devices dry, which prevents moisture damage.

• Label All Boxes and Bins: Be sure you know which boxes your electronic devices went into, either by labeling your boxes with as much detail as possible or by creating an inventory of your electronics.

Steer clear of common mistakes people make when packing their storage unit to help keep your electronics safe and secure during their stay.

• Choose the right size unit: Start your stay in storage off right by choosing the unit that can comfortably accommodate your electronics without leaving too much extra space. 

• Consider your access needs: If you need to go through your unit and retrieve electronics often, you should consider the access hours of your self-storage facility. Make sure you have 24-hour access if you need to get into your unit at odd hours. If you do not intend to visit your unit at all, consider putting your electronics in full-service storage.

• Organize your unit well: Haphazardly stacked boxes can lead to damaged or lost electronics, not to mention the time you waste searching your unit for items you need. Organize your boxes and bins when you pack your storage unit. Map the unit by ease of access and leave some space for navigation prior to sealing up your unit.  

• Periodically check on your unit: The best way to mitigate damage on your electronics is to catch potential problems early. Aim to check on a self-storage unit periodically, preferably once a month and after major weather events like storms.

The electronics are now safely packed away for their stay in storage. You can breathe easy knowing your devices are likely to come out of storage in great condition. 

If you’re considering full-service storage to keep your electronics working for years to come, check out storage solutions at All My Sons Moving & Storage. Our company maintains dozens of storage facilities nationwide to safeguard your belongings until the time comes for you to retrieve them. Our units are temperature-controlled and protected by state-of-the-art surveillance systems.

Moving soon? Make sure to get a quote from All My Sons Moving & Storage and make this your most seamless relocation yet.