Precious items like photographs, electronics, and fragile furniture need to be stored at an ideal temperature. There is nothing worse than opening up a box and realizing that your family photos have become damaged or your wood furniture is warped. Temperature-sensitive items need to be stored in a humidity-free environment set at the right temperature in order to ensure their longevity. Here are the optimal temperatures to store your items and extra tips to protect them from damage.
Common Temperature-Sensitive Items
Before we dive into how to store the items, here are the optimal temperatures for common items to avoid damage. These items are the most prone to temperature fluctuation damage or moisture damage.
Food
Perishable food items like dairy, meat, and vegetables need to be stored between 32 degrees Fahrenheit to 40 degrees to prevent the growth of bacteria.
Wine or other beverages need to be stored between 45 degrees Fahrenheit and 65 degrees. This will maintain the flavor profile of the drinks and prevent spoiling.
Medications
Another temperature-sensitive item is medication. All medications should be stored in a cool dry place to preserve their validity. The ideal temperature for medications or other medical-grade equipment is 59-77 degrees Fahrenheit. Other medications may need to be refrigerated.
Electronics
Excessive heat can damage the small components of your electronics, so it is best to store them between 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping electronics from water damage is also possible when stored at the optimal temperature. Limiting humidity or the risk of freezing will help keep electronics safe.
Photos
Different photo materials can react to different temperatures, so it is a good rule of thumb to keep your storage space between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Wood Furniture
While there isn’t a typical temperature for wood furniture, limiting the humidity in your storage unit is the best way to limit warping. Using a climate-controlled unit or a dehumidifier will help ensure that moisture accumulation is kept to a minimum.
Cosmetics
If you are storing beauty products in a unit, you will need to be careful of heat and moisture damage. Store cosmetics at “room temperature” or around 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Paint
Temperature can impact paint color and quality. Paint should be stored between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit with 50% humidity.
Monitor The Temperature Regularly
If you want to ensure the safety of your temperature-sensitive items, you will need to monitor the temperature of the room or storage unit frequently. Smart thermometers will help you track the temperature and humidity without needing to visit the storage space. Using technology can help limit the damage that often comes from neglect.
Using a climate-controlled unit will help save you from monitoring consistently. These units will be controlled by the storage facility to keep all the units at an optimal temperature depending on the outside temperature.
Use A Dehumidifier
If you don’t have access to or don’t want to pay for a climate-controlled storage unit, you can utilize a dehumidifier in your home. A dehumidifier will remove moisture particles from the air that could lead to mold or mildew growth. Most dehumidifiers can be purchased for less than $70 and last for a handful of years.
Insulate The Pallet Or Box
Properly packing your items is just another way to protect your personal belongings. Packing in insulated boxes or vacuum-sealed packaging will help keep air or moisture from reaching the items. Using the right kind of packaging will help if your temperature ever dips by having an added layer of protection. Waterproof packaging, vacuum-sealed packaging, bubble mailers, or insulated shipping containers will help protect temperature-sensitive items during long-term storage.
Climate-Controlled Storage Units In SLC
700 Block Storage offers climate-controlled units to help all people ensure the safety of their belongings. Climate-controlled units are the best option for temperature-sensitive items as well as different types of furniture. These units have a lower risk of mold growth, odors, and damage which is ideal for temperature-sensitive items. We want our storage facility to be able to provide you with peace of mind about belongings not in your home.
Not only can we provide you with climate-controlled units, but we also have varying sizes of storage units, elevators for easy access to every floor, moving/packing supplies, and a convenient location. Located in downtown SLC, we are happy to be one of the top choices for self-storage in the area. See all our available units and rent one out today! We can not wait to help you store and give you more usable space in your home.