This post discusses the items that need climate-controlled storage most. For other climate control resources see the list below:
- Asking yourself “Do I need climate control storage?” Click the link to learn more!
- Want to understand climate control storage vs. non climate control? Click the link to learn more!
Several household items need special attention in storage, particularly those sensitive to temperature fluctuations and humidity. Your grandma’s wooden chest or your fancy leather couch, for instance, can get upset with too much heat, cold or moisture. They could warp, crack or even grow mold. Yikes! To dodge that, these items need climate-controlled storage.
Wooden Furniture
Wood, by nature, is quite the drama queen when it comes to weather changes. Too much moisture and it swells, too dry and it shrinks. This can lead to warping, cracking or even rotting. You wouldn’t want a vintage dresser or your favorite mahogany bookshelf throwing a fit and falling apart. With climate-controlled storage, the temperature is steady and humidity levels are just right so that your wooden furniture doesn’t live in a desert or a swamp.
Now, some types of wood are more sensitive than others, but all benefit from a controlled environment:
- Pine, which is also the most common wood used for interior furniture, is particularly susceptible to rot.
- Cedar is rot-resistant, but fluctuating humidity causes it to shrink and expand.
- Mahogany is very susceptible to bugs and moisture, while teak can dry out in extreme heat.
Other types of furniture, like leather or upholstered items, also need extra care. “Leather is sensitive to swings of hot and cold, so that’s a big issue when you’re living in an area with [drastic] weather changes through the seasons,” advises Jiffy Self-Storage, based in Toronto, Ontario.
Leather Furniture
“Leather is sensitive to swings of hot and cold, so that’s a big issue when you’re living in an area with [drastic] weather changes through the seasons,” advises Jiffy Self-Storage, which is based in Toronto, Ontario.
Even if you’re storing in an area that’s not prone to major changes in temperature throughout the year, temperature control is an important safeguard for pricey leather pieces. “Leather that’s not stored in a climate-controlled [unit] is also more susceptible to moisture, which can discolor the pieces and cause mildew,” Jiffy Self-Storage says.
Electronics
Ever noticed how some metals shrink in the cold? Your electronic devices feel that too. Cold can make the metal parts inside contract, pulling at the soldered connections like tectonic plates causing an earthquake. LCD screens aren’t immune either; they can freeze and crack, turning your smart devices dumb.
Heat does the opposite but is equally villainous. It makes metal parts expand, putting stress on those crucial connections. And with warmth comes moisture, electronics’ arch-nemesis. It creeps into the internal parts, rusting any metal or wires it encounters. It’s the kind of damage that can switch your device off permanently.
In a climate-controlled storage unit, you are protecting belongings from temperature changes. What needs it most? Pretty much everything with a circuit. TVs, computers, cameras, stereos and gaming systems — all these and more can suffer from temperature tantrums and moisture madness.
Artwork
Whether it’s fine frescoes or a Pinterest-inspired craft, climate-controlled storage is a good idea for artwork and art supplies.
According to Vanessa Amor, Director of Business Development of UOVO, even if you’re keeping artwork in file cabinets or poster tubes (which you should) in your unit, it’s important to maintain the unit’s temperature. The best environment, she says, is about 50% humidity and a temperature between 70-75°F.
- High humidity attacks canvases and their wooden frames, leading to mildew and mold, while an excessively dry environment translates into paint cracks and brittle wood.
- Art doesn’t take kindly to temperature swings either. Sudden rises or drops can cause paint to flake, wood to warp and paper to crumble.
- Beyond temperature and humidity, which are the usual suspects, light also poses a significant risk. It can fade pigments, weaken fabrics and deteriorate materials over time.
A climate-controlled unit will likely not have windows, keeping yet another danger at bay for paintings, prints and sculptures alike. Plus, the seal of climate-controlled self-storage units keeps out unwanted guests like rats, mice and insects that might see artwork as a meal or a home. The same goes for air pollution. Dust, pollen and harmful particles are barred entry, ensuring the artwork remains pristine.
Note: Crafting equipment, like sewing machines, can also use a little TLC (that is, tender loving climate control) as well. Sewing machines have belts inside that can shrink and expand with extreme temperatures, so a relatively even temp is helpful.
Antiques and Collectibles
Antiques, whether they’re intricate wood carvings, delicate fabrics or precious metals, thrive in stable environments. Cigars and collectibles like coins and stamps feel the same way, and storing valuables in self-storage comes with a lot of do’s and don’ts.
We’ve already seen that heat can make materials warp and deteriorate, cold can make them crack, high humidity invites mold, fungus and bacteria, while dryness can lead to brittleness. Your antique furniture, collectibles and delicate items, all need climate control.
- Antique wood furniture in particular needs special care. The ideal humidity level for preserving such items is between 35% and 65%, with room temperature best kept between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
- “Too much exposure to extreme temperatures and humidity can start the oxidation process, which ruins the metals used in coins,” explains Rod Gillis, Education Director at the American Numismatic Association. Copper and silver in particular are at risk of tarnishing. “While some collectors enjoy toning, it’s a destructive force that will eventually cause the coin to become very dark,” says Gillis.
- Nick Vespucci, owner of Nick’s Stamps, says storing a stamp collection in a climate-controlled storage unit is important especially if you live in a region where the humidity is high all year. “I would never store a collection in a room that isn’t climate-controlled. Once stamps have been exposed to high temperature and humidity, [they] will curl and stick.” Irresponsible storage and maintenance of your collection will damage it, meaning it will ultimately depreciate.
- Comics, much like the pages of a stamp album, the pages of comic books are also susceptible to damage if left in an environment where moisture can find its way to the pages.“Storing your comics safely is key to preserving your collecting,” says ComicSpectrum.com‘s Bob Bretall. “Storage units are a great alternative to home storage if your collection is growing.”Comic books—usually those that are older and rarer—can’t handle moisture, so Bretall says using a unit equipped with climate control that can moderate humidity is a good option for protecting your collection.
Musical Instruments
Musical instruments, though sometimes large, are very delicate and need to be handled with great care. Whether it’s short-term or long-term storage for instruments, humidity and temperature control is a must.
Pianos — These big beauties can get really upset with too much moisture or dry air. Imagine the wood warping and the strings getting all rusty. Not a pretty sight. “With the average piano having approximately 15,000 glued joints, it isn’t glue anymore if the piano is stored in a humid climate,” says Dan Loibl, owner of Dan The Moving Man in Spokane Valley, WA.
Guitars — Too dry or too damp, and those strings might just snap in protest, leaving your guitar feeling a bit… unstrung. “The good folks at C.F. Martin recommend temperatures between 72-77°F and a humidity level of 45-55%,” says Billy Penn, owner of 300 Guitars in Toms River, NJ.
Brass — Trumpets and other brass instruments don’t like being too hot or too wet. Though a properly cleaned, oiled and packed trumpet is generally unaffected by weather, a trumpet in long-term storage could have issues. “Materials like felt, rubber and cork that are used in some trumpets may break down faster when exposed to extreme temperatures,” says John Snell, co-owner of Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces in Valencia, CA.
Percussion – Let’s use a standard piano as an example of a percussion instrument in storage (It’s also a string instrument, too, which means it needs extra care). Pianos can be damaged very easily by extreme temperatures and humidity, both of which can ruin a piano’s strings, keys, and wooden exterior over time.
“Humidity is a piano’s worst enemy,” says Dan Loibl, owner of Dan The Piano Man in Spokane Valley, Wash. “With the average piano having approximately 15,000 glued joints, it isn’t glue anymore if the piano is stored in a humid climate. The strings are also not rust-proof by any means. If not stored in a climate-controlled unit, they can become rusted and corroded.”
“A climate-controlled storage unit is important for a piano because [temperature] can affect the shape and condition of the instrument,” says Sal Margaglione, President of Father & Son Moving and Storage in Wallingford, Conn. “For example, if it is made of wood, the wood will expand or contract in either hot or cold weather.”
Woodwind – Maintaining humidity levels is essential when it comes to storing woodwind instruments, says Nathan Pietz, Sales and School Liaison at Funky Munky Music in Shawnee, Kan.
“The dangers of storing woodwinds and other wooden instruments is that they have a sweet spot between 40-55% humidity,” says Pietz. “Humidity less than 40% will cause the instrument to dry out, and the wood parts can shrink and can cause the instrument to crack. The pieces can also become ill-fitted and uncomfortable to play.”
Pietz says that musicians who store woodwind instruments like clarinets, oboes, and flutes need to be mindful of humidity levels that exceed 55% as well. “[Too much] humidity can cause the pads of the instrument to swell and expand. In extreme cases, mold can begin to build up inside of the instrument because of the moisture.”
Wine
Fluctuating temperatures can accelerate wine aging and can give wine an oxidized, metallic taste, according to Patrick Gilroy, co-owner of Wine Storage Bellevue in Bellevue, Wash. For collectors who’ve invested a lot of time and money in growing their wine collections, spoiling due to improper storage would be a nightmare.
The thing is, wine loves to chill at a constant cozy temperature, ideally around 55°F. Humidity matters too. It keeps the cork in perfect condition, sealing the deal to keep the air out and the fine flavors in. Aim for a humidity range of 50 to 80 percent. Wine doesn’t enjoy the spotlight either. So, keep it in a dark, calm place where it can rest undisturbed.
Pro Tip: Store wine bottles horizontally, to keep the liquid against the cork, otherwise the latter will dry out and rot.
Clothing
Just like bread turns green and fuzzy when left out, your clothes can get moldy in high humidity. Those delicate fabrics — lace, silk, leather — are especially at risk. And once mold and mildew check in, they’re tough guests to kick out, leaving you with damaged and smelly clothes. Love your leather? High humidity and temperature swings can make it crack, crease and lose its cool.
Now, cardboard might be easy on the wallet, but it’s a feast for mold and pests. Plastic bags aren’t any better since they trap moisture like a sauna. Instead, opt for plastic bins that snap shut, protecting your wardrobe from humidity, pests and dust. Just don’t stuff them too full; your clothes need a little breathing room.
In the end, climate control is the best option for keeping fabrics dry: no surprises, no damage, just your clothes waiting to make their next appearance.
Books and Documents
Paper items aren’t fans of change, especially when it comes to their environment. Too hot, and they become brittle and dry; too damp, and you’ve invited mold to the party. And trust me, mold loves a good book as much as you do — but not in a good way.
Direct sunlight is like kryptonite to documents and books of all types, including comic books. Those UV rays can bleach the life out of covers and turn crisp, white pages yellow. Even indoor lighting can be a sneaky enemy, zapping the color right out of paper if you’re not careful.
What are the perfect conditions, you ask? For documents and books, a comfortable 70 degrees Fahrenheit with 50% relative humidity. And consistency is key. A climate-controlled storage unit will prevent warping, cracking and other heartbreaking damage. At the same time, keeping your items out of the sunlight and away from harsh indoor lights will protect them from fading and deterioration.
Photographs
Ever seen photos stuck together as if they’ve decided to become one? That’s high humidity working its mischief. Once they’re stuck, trying to separate them might ruin the images forever.
High temperatures and/or too much light? Photos will fade away and age faster. The vibrant colors and sharp details can wash out, leaving behind only a shadow of the original memory. Their negatives are at risk too, as extreme temperatures can make them brittle, cracking and warping until they’re no longer usable.
Your best bet? A climate-controlled storage unit at a temperature between 65 and 70 degrees. Oh, and Michelle Schmidt, owner of Michelle’s Portrait Design Studio, recommends acid-free album pages.
Mattresses
Climate control, a little ventilation and proper positioning can keep your mattress just like new. In fact, keeping your mattress in a climate-controlled room around 65 degrees Fahrenheit is perfect for preventing damp conditions that invite mold and mildew. Besides ruining its comfort, these could cause health issues.
Pro Tip: Always store your mattress flat. Keeping it on its side might save space but can ruin its structure, leading to a lumpy, uncomfortable surface. And remember, no heavy items on top; your mattress isn’t a shelf.
Business Documents & Inventory
Nora Ashcraft Muccino, manager at Ashcraft Self Storage & Truck Rental in Monongahela, Penn., recommends storage units for businesses that have a lot of documents to file and store, like real estate agencies.
With file storage, it doesn’t matter whether you’re storing files in boxes or file cabinets. Muccino says a climate-controlled unit is the only thing standing between humidity and documents, which will fade, discolor, or dissolve with exposure to moisture.
Muccino says climate control is good for any business storing inventory as well. That’s because it’s crucial to uphold the quality of the items your business intends to sell, and the easiest way to do that is to utilize a climate-controlled unit.
Safe Storage for Electronics, Antiques, Artwork and More
A cozy wooden chair, those cool snapshots of your last beach trip, your favorite guitar or that special bottle of wine you’re saving — they all have one thing in common, and that is being kept at their best in a climate-controlled storage unit.
And while these are only ten groups of items that need climate control, the truth is that climate-controlled storage is beneficial for almost all self-storage ventures.
Though more necessary in some cases than others, a quick chat with a storage facility operator will help you determine exactly what kind of household items storage is right for you.
