It is risky to store kitchen appliances. They are costly items with several fragile parts. They are also big and heavy, making them difficult to move.

Gone are the days when home appliances were only replaced every twenty years. Appliances are now considered part of your home’s décor and are purchased to match your existing scheme. Many of us prefer to keep our old appliances when we replace them with new ones, since they may still be in excellent shape. They are great to pass down to a family member who is establishing a home or to utilize in a vacation home. In the interim, they must be stored someplace, such as in a storage unit at your local facility.

Another reason for needing storage for your appliances is when you are moving home, and you need somewhere to keep them for the short term along with the rest of your belongings.

Whatever the reason for storing your appliances you need to get them ready for storage so that they are in perfect working condition when you unpack them.

However, if these appliances are not prepared carefully for storage, you could be in for a nasty shock when you take them out of storage. They might be ruined by mould, rusted to pieces, and completely useless to you.

To avoid this worst-case scenario, here are some tips on how to prepare your appliances for storage.

Preparing Your Fridge for Storage

  • Drain water from your fridge, including water from the ice maker, water purifier, and any water supply lines. This will help guard against the buildup of mould and mildew. Allow a few days for these to dry out properly.
  • At the same time, defrost your fridge and leave enough time to dry.
  • Clean the interior of the fridge. Remove trays and drawers and clean these thoroughly. Bear in mind that any remnants of food will attract bugs whilst in storage. These remnants will also go rotten and cause a terrible smell in your storage unit. It will also attract rodents which damage pipes and wiring as well as ruin any belongings you are storing alongside your appliances.
  • Clean the mildew and mould that is often found around the fridge door’s perimeter.
  • Clean the exterior of the fridge and vacuum or dust the coils at the back of the fridge.

Preparing Your Washing Machine and Dishwasher for Storage

  • Run both machines through a cycle using a cup of bleach to remove any unwanted bacteria.
  • Clean your dishwasher thoroughly to remove any food residues.
  • Disconnect the hoses and let them dry. Wrap them in a towel and store them inside the appliance to keep them safe.
  • Tape the cords to the appliance.

Preparing Your Electric or Gas Stove for Storage

  • Turn off the stove or get the gas disconnected by a professional if you cannot do it yourself.
  • The oven must be clean to make sure there is no food debris anywhere.
  • Remove any loose pans you keep in the oven.
  • Cover and tape the oven and hob knobs with bubble wrap to protect them during transportation.

Preparing Your Microwave for Storage

  • Take out the glass turntable before cleaning the interior and exterior surfaces carefully.
  • If you still have the original packaging this is the ideal way. Otherwise, pack your microwave in a cardboard box using plenty of filler material such as dishcloths or bubble wrap as protection.
  • If you are not using a box to store your microwave, tape shut the door and tape the cords to the side. Wrap it up in a moving blanket as protection.

Once your appliances are ready to be transported to your storage unit you should wrap them in blankets or bubble wrap to prevent scratches or dents. Keep them upright during transport. Tape their doors closed during transport. A good tip is to use a type of tape that won’t leave a residue as this residue can be really difficult to remove.

If you are moving your appliances as part of your household move, pack them into the truck last. This way they will be the first off when you reach your storage facility. You can pack them at the back of your unit where they will be safe from being bumped and scratched by the other items that you are packing away.

Once your appliances are in your storage unit, leave their doors ajar so that air can circulate. Any build-up of moisture will result in mould and mildew which will cause damage to your appliances.

If you are pressed for space in your storage unit you could pack lighter and fragile items into your clean dry appliance. But do not fill it with heavy items. Don’t pack heavy items on top of your appliances either.

Cover your appliances with blankets or a tarpaulin for the duration of their storage to further protect them from scratches and dust.

Following these steps to prepare and pack your appliances for storage will ensure that when you unpack them, they will immediately work perfectly. And they will look as good as they did when you put them away with no extra scratches or dents.

Why Rent a Self Storage Unit from Stop & Store Fareham

Once you have decided on renting a unit for the short term or long term for your home appliances, here are some very good reasons to rent one from our facility.

  • Our security is top-notch, with monitored CCTV, intruder alarms, fully fenced, and strict access control at the gate.
  • We have different-sized units for you to choose from, so even if you have the contents of a 3-bedroomed home to store, we can help you.
  • Our units are easily accessible for loading and offloading, and we even have a trolley to make your job easier.
  • We offer discounts for certain sized units, so please check our website for these.
  • We have reviews from past clients for your information. Please have a look at these on our website.

Please contact us on Tel: 01329 556174 

https://www.stopandstore.co.uk/