Protect These Items from Summer Heat
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read): Heat and humidity can do real damage to electronics, wood furniture, vinyl records, candles, and more. If you’re storing items over the summer, a climate-controlled unit is the best way to keep your belongings in good shape until you need them again.
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Summer is tough on many things. Your electricity bill, your car’s air conditioning, your patience at the grocery store. But one thing people don’t always think about is what the heat is doing to items sitting in storage.
A standard unit can get surprisingly hot during the summer months, especially in warmer climates. That heat, and the humidity that often comes with it, can quietly ruin things you planned to use again. Below are a few topics for you to watch out for:
Electronics
Heat is one of the fastest ways to shorten the life of electronics. Laptops, TVs, gaming consoles, and speakers are all vulnerable to high temperatures. Batteries can swell or leak. Circuit boards can degrade. If you’re storing anything with a screen, a plug, or a battery, a climate-controlled unit is worth the upgrade.
Wood Furniture
Wood expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. Over a hot summer, that can mean warping, cracking, or joints coming loose on tables, dressers, and bed frames. Antiques and anything with a painted or stained finish are especially at risk.
Vinyl Records and Media
Records warp at surprisingly low temperatures. The same goes for DVDs, CDs, and old VHS tapes. If you have a collection you care about, don’t risk it in a unit that bakes in the July sun.
Candles and Wax Items
This one seems obvious once you think about it, but candles left in a hot unit will melt, drip, and make a mess. The same goes for wax figurines or anything similar.
Clothing and Fabrics
Heat and moisture are a bad combination for clothes, especially anything delicate like vintage pieces, formal wear, or items with embroidery or beading. You may also run the risk of mildew if humidity builds up over time.
Artwork and Photos
Photographs can stick together, fade, or become brittle in the heat. Canvas artwork can warp or crack. Framed pieces with glass are also at risk if condensation builds up behind the frame.
Musical Instruments
Wood instruments like guitars and violins are particularly sensitive. Heat dries out the wood, which can cause cracking, and fluctuating humidity makes tuning and playability suffer. Even brass and wind instruments can be affected by extreme conditions.
The Fix: Climate-Controlled Storage
The good news is that this is an easy problem to solve. Climate-controlled storage units maintain a consistent temperature and humidity level year-round, keeping your belongings safe no matter how hot it gets outside.
Not sure what size unit you need? Use our size guide to figure out the right fit before you reserve.
Find a Prestige Storage location near you and get your summer storage sorted before the heat sets in.
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