What Should You Put in Climate-Controlled Storage in Phoenix?
Phoenix heat changes the way you should think about self storage. While many everyday items can be stored without special consideration, belongings made from wood, electronics, paper, fabrics and other temperature-sensitive materials may benefit from a more consistent indoor environment.
If you are deciding whether climate-controlled storage is worth considering, start with what you are storing, how long it will be stored and how sensitive those belongings are to prolonged heat and temperature changes.
Here are some of the belongings worth considering for climate-controlled storage in Phoenix.
Wood and Upholstered Furniture
Furniture is one of the most common reasons to consider climate-controlled storage.
Wood furniture can respond to environmental changes over time, while upholstered furniture, mattresses and leather pieces may also benefit from being stored in a more consistent indoor environment.
Before storing furniture:
- Clean and completely dry each piece.
- Disassemble larger furniture when practical.
- Protect surfaces with breathable furniture covers or moving blankets.
- Avoid wrapping wood or upholstered furniture tightly in plastic for long periods.
- Leave room around furniture rather than packing everything tightly together.
Electronics
Televisions, computers, monitors, gaming systems, audio equipment and other electronics contain components that may not be well suited to prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures.
Before putting electronics into storage, remove batteries where appropriate, back up important data and make sure the equipment is clean and dry.
Whenever possible, use the original packaging or a well-protected box rather than leaving electronics exposed inside the unit.
Photos, Books and Important Documents
Photographs, books, business records and important documents are easy to overlook when deciding what needs additional protection.
Paper, photographs, adhesives, bindings and other printed materials can be sensitive to prolonged environmental exposure. Family photographs and important documents may also be difficult—or impossible—to replace.
Use sturdy containers, keep paper materials off the floor and organize important records so they can be found without unpacking the entire unit.
Artwork, Collectibles and Keepsakes
Some belongings matter for reasons that have nothing to do with their replacement cost.
Artwork, framed photographs, collections, family keepsakes and memorabilia may contain materials that respond differently to prolonged heat. If something is valuable, fragile, sentimental or difficult to replace, its storage environment deserves additional consideration.
Specialty or particularly valuable collections may have storage requirements beyond what a standard climate-controlled self-storage unit is designed to provide. Consult an appropriate preservation or storage professional when necessary.
Clothing, Linens and Textiles
Seasonal wardrobes, bedding, linens and other textiles are commonly stored when people need more room at home.
Make sure everything is clean and completely dry before packing it. Use clean, sturdy containers and avoid compressing delicate fabrics unnecessarily during long-term storage.
For items you plan to retrieve periodically, clearly labeled containers can save considerable time later.
Household Items During a Move or Remodel
Climate-controlled storage is not only for individual valuables.
If you are moving, remodeling or temporarily storing the contents of an apartment or home, a single storage unit may contain furniture, electronics, photographs, books, clothing and other household belongings.
In that situation, it often makes more sense to consider the needs of the most temperature-sensitive items in the unit, rather than evaluating every box separately.
Learn About Apartment Storage in Phoenix
Business Records and Equipment
Phoenix businesses may also have property that benefits from climate-controlled storage, including documents, records, electronics, marketing materials and certain types of equipment or inventory.
Before storing business property, consider manufacturer recommendations, insurance requirements and any regulations that may apply to the specific materials being stored.
Does Everything Need Climate-Controlled Storage?
No.
Durable belongings that are not particularly sensitive to temperature may not require the same storage environment. The decision should depend on the item, its value, how long you plan to store it and the conditions it can reasonably tolerate.
A useful question is:
Would I be comfortable leaving this item in a Phoenix garage through the summer?
If the answer is no, climate-controlled storage may be worth considering.
How Long Will Your Belongings Be Stored?
Storage duration should also influence your decision.
An item stored briefly may experience less prolonged exposure than something kept in storage throughout an entire Phoenix summer. The longer your belongings will remain stored, the more important their materials, value and sensitivity to environmental conditions may become.
There is no single storage period that makes climate control necessary for every item. Consider the complete situation rather than relying only on the number of weeks or months.
Climate-Controlled Storage in Phoenix
Eagle Valley Storage offers climate-controlled indoor storage at 4592 E. Cactus Road in Phoenix, AZ 85032, within the new PV redevelopment at the former Paradise Valley Mall.
If you are storing furniture, electronics, documents, household belongings or other temperature-sensitive items, learn more about our climate-controlled storage options and determine what size unit may work best for you.
Explore Climate-Controlled Storage
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