Our units are clean, dry and secure, but they aren’t heated or cooled, so the temperature inside follows the seasons to some degree. For most household belongings that’s no problem: what matters far more than the temperature is that everything goes in dry, and a few simple steps take care of that.
Dry packing does most of the work
Most of our units are inside our buildings, out of the wind and rain. In the UK the thing to watch is damp rather than cold or heat: when air cools, moisture can settle on the coolest surfaces. Packing well gives it nothing to work on:
- Pack everything dry, on a dry day if you can, and never store anything that’s still wet.
- Lift things off the floor on a pallet or a layer of sturdy boxes, and leave a small gap at the walls so air can move.
- Use breathable covers, such as blankets, dust sheets or cotton, on furniture and mattresses. Plastic is great for the move, but sealed around furniture for months it traps moisture, so take off any removal wrap once it’s in the unit.
- Drain anything that holds water. Empty every drop from washing machines and dishwashers, because leftover water can freeze in a cold snap and damage them. Defrost and dry fridges and freezers, and leave the doors ajar.
Things that like a little extra care
Electronics can go into storage, but if they’ve been cold, let them come up to room temperature at home before you switch them on, as moisture can form inside after a sudden change in temperature. Wooden furniture, leather, photographs and papers all do best kept dry, off the floor and not touching the walls.
If you’re storing fine art, an instrument or anything else you’d call temperature-sensitive, give us a call and we’ll talk through the best way to store it. Our honest guide to climate-controlled storage goes through those items one by one.
Why heaters stay at home
To keep everyone’s belongings safe from fire, portable heaters can’t be used in units, and units have no power sockets, so nothing is ever left running. Dry packing does the job instead.
Container units
At Chipping Norton, Shipston-on-Stour and Warminster we also have outdoor steel containers. At Chipping Norton and Shipston-on-Stour we insulate our containers to stop condensation. Our guide to keeping a container dry has the details.
Look in now and then
Access is normally 6am to 10pm, seven days a week, so checking on things after a cold spell or a hot week is easy. If you’re away, you can share access through smart entry with someone who can look in for you.
Get a price online, or call us on 0800 2545585 to talk through what you’re storing.
Related questions