Tip #1: Run a Final Cycle on Your Appliances
Try running an empty washing machine and dishwasher through a complete wash cycle using a cup of bleach. This will help remove any unwanted bacteria before storing your appliances.
Tip #2: Drain Any Liquid in Your Appliances
To prepare for your home appliance storage, empty any water from hoses, holding tanks, plastic tubing, and other internal components. This will help prevent freezing and mildew.
Tip #3: Clean Your Home Appliances Before Storing
Scrub and dry the interior completely — especially in refrigerators, dishwashers, and ovens. Food and sugar remnants can attract bugs, even in interior storage units. In refrigerators, clean and dry the defrost pan. You’ll find it underneath or behind the refrigerator. In water-using appliances, wipe the rubber cushion seal around the door. Mildew tends to collect in this area.
Tip #5: Treat Your Appliances for Insects Before Storing
Insects that infest food are almost everywhere. To prevent an infestation for your home appliance storage, be sure to spray your clean appliance for bugs. This helps to keep your storage unit free of pests, too!
Tip #6: Clean the Exterior Of Your Home Appliances
Any motor-driven appliance will have an intake area (lint filter, tube or grid). be sure to clean this vent. A vacuum may do the trick, but if the opening is greasy, you might use an old toothbrush.
Tip #7: Remove Glass and Protect Finishes
If your appliance has glass shelves or fragile parts, remove them. You should wrap appliances with finishes that can scratch or dent in blankets or bubble wrap. Pro tip: transport refrigerators upright to prevent doors from becoming ajar.
Tip #8: Secure Your Home Appliances with Tape
Use a strong tape to hold the appliance door closed. Even though the tape is only for the move, you may want to choose a type that won’t leave residue (such as blue painters tape). Once in storage, remove the tape and prop the appliance’s door open to prevent mildew.
Tip #9: Choose Your Home Appliance Storage
If you are storing somewhere with extreme temperatures, you should consider climate-controlled storage. The storage facility will keep climate control temperatures constant. That way, you can protect the electronic parts of your appliances from rust and fissures.
Tip #10: Load Your Home Appliances for Storage Last
If you’re moving more household items into your self-storage unit, put the large appliances on the truck last. This way, they will be the first to come off the truck. By placing appliances in the back of your storage unit, you’ll have easier access to smaller items that you retrieve more frequently.
Tip #11: Turn the Power off on Your Appliances
The majority of storage facilities will not offer outlets for your home appliance storage. But if yours does have power, do not use it. Leave your appliance off for the duration of the rental
Tip #12: Conserve Space in Your Storage Unit
Some storage and moving companies advise against stowing items inside your appliances. However, careful preparation will offer additional storage space. A clean, dry, open appliance is a good spot to store lighter items, including fragile things. Do not jam-pack your appliance with heavy items, like books.
Tip #13: Protect Your Home Appliances for Storage
Use a breathable material such as a tarp or sheet to shield your appliance. Covering your home appliances for storage will protect them from dirt and scratches.
We wish you the best of luck with your small and kitchen home appliance storage! If you need anything, the team at StorAmerica is here and ready to help!
This post was originally published on February 11, 2018
It was updated on October 27, 2020.