Preparing your self storage unit for winter

Whatever you are placing in your self-storage unit, whether it is a single highly valuable item, all of your household belongings or simply a treasured possession, you will need to take special care before storing it to avoid any damage. This is even more important as winter approaches and cold weather will have an impact on the internal conditions of the storage unit.

One of the problems most likely to damage any item in long-term storage is the moisture that occurs naturally in the air. This does not necessarily mean that the unit is "damp", which is an excess of water in the air that cannot be removed but is simply a natural part of our environment. Ideally the best environment for storing anything precious is one that has effective dehumidifiers and is well-insulated from the weather but this is not always possible or, if it is possible it is not affordable.

However,if you are renting a standard storage unit there is still plenty you can do to prevent damage particularly as winter approaches and the outside elements starts to have a greater impact on your stored possessions. There are variousguidelines you can follow to ensure your precious belongings remain in good condition throughout the winter:

• Clean all items thoroughly and then cover with fabric (such as old sheets or blankets), paper or cardboard. Don't use plastic covers or bubble wrap as this can cause condensation and trap moisture under the cover.
• Treat any leather furniture, seats and even small leather items with a leather protector to repel moisture from the surface.
• Treat wooden furniture and other items with a wax-based wood conditioner to protect from moisture.
• Rugs and fabric items should be rolled up with layers of acid-free tissue paper and covered in cotton dust sheets. Never foldfabrics or rugs; laying flat is the best option but not always practical.
• Wrap silver items in cotton cloths to minimise the amount of tarnishing. Although tarnishing is not permanent damage it will be easier to clean the items once removed from storage if the tarnishing is minimised.

If you are storing a car, motorbike, camper van or any other vehicle then take a look at the following checklist for added protection :

• Replace the engine oil
• Empty the windscreen washer containers or add anti-freeze
• Do not apply the handbrake (use blocks if you are concerned about any movement)
• Leave all the windows open a crack so that the air can circulate to avoid condensation forming
• Spray WD40 on metal parts to protect them from corrosion
• Oil the locks to prevent them freezing in extremely cold weather

Since moisture in the air can damage a wide range of materials, but especially wood, fabric, metal and leather, reducing the amount of moisture in the air will preserve your possessions in good condition for longer. If your cheap storage unitsare not climate controlled you may want to consider investing in your own dehumidifier for extra protection of your items whilst in self storage bedfordduring the winter months.

The author has written and published articles on a wide range of topics including Small Business Advice, Tax and Accounting, Interior Design, House Renovation and Project Management.