Tips For Storing Appliances In A Storage Unit
If you are planning on building a house after you sell your home, you may be considering renting an apartment for a short amount of time during this transition. If so, you will probably need to rent a storage unit to store some of your things, including your appliances. You really do not need a heated storage shed for appliances; however, there are several steps you should take before you place the appliances in a storage unit. Here are some tips to help you keep your appliances safe and clean while they are in a storage facility.
Refrigerator
Taking the right steps to prepare your refrigerator for storage is absolutely vital. If you fail to do this, you might discover several problems. The first problem is it might be smelly and full of mold. This can happen if there is any food left in it when you store it, especially if it will be stored in the unit in the hot summer months. The second problem you might find is that some of the components are broken. If water was left in the lines, they could freeze in the winter, and this could lead to a damaged refrigerator. To avoid these issues, you should:
- Let it defrost – You should not unplug the device and bring it directly to the storage unit. Instead, unplug it and let the entire thing defrost. Letting it defrost will also help eliminate water from the lines in it, and this will help prevent the lines from freezing up.
- Clean out the entire thing – As you clean it, use a bleach-cleaning product to make sure you remove every bit of food debris in the device. Food left in it will mold, and it could also attract bugs.
- Vacuum the coils – You can also spend a few minutes cleaning the coils on the device, which are normally located at the bottom. There may also be a drip tray on the bottom that you can also remove and clean.
These steps will help prevent problems from forming while you store the appliance. When moving day arrives and you haul it to a storage shed, you will have one more step to complete. This step involves removing the doors from the device. By doing this, the inside of your refrigerator will stay fresh.
Stove
If you must also store your stove in storage, you will need to take a few steps to get this device ready to be stored for a while. The first step is to clean it out. Cleaning an oven and stove perfectly is not an easy task, but it is necessary. If you leave any food particles in it or on it, they will attract rodents and bugs.
Just before you move it, you can remove the cord and gas line from the device. You can attach these things to the back of the stove with tape, and this will keep them safe while you move them. When you place it in storage, you should consider covering it with a blanket to prevent scratches.
Washing Machine
One step you can take to make sure your washing machine stays clean and fresh is cleaning it out with vinegar before you store it. To do this, you can run a short cycle with a few cups of vinegar. This will help remove any trapped stains or debris in the machine, and it will leave it smelling fresh.
In addition, you should remove the water lines from the device a few days before you plan on moving it. This will help dry the lines before you move. If water is left in the lines, they will freeze if the temperature gets colds enough. To make sure they are empty, unplug them and let them dry out for several days before you plan on moving.
When you place the machine in the unit, prop the lid open at least a few inches. This will keep air flowing in and out of it, which will help prevent stagnant odors from developing in the device.
If you follow these tips, your appliances will be in the same condition when you take them out of storage as they were when you placed them in the unit. If you would like to learn additional storage tips, contact a storage facility like Glenbrook Self Storage in your area.