How to Properly Store Devices in a Storage Unit

The world is getting more tech-driven with each passing year, and we’re now firmly living in the digital era – or, as we like to call it, the “device” age. New devices pop up almost daily, leaving older devices in their wake. As these outdated gadgets become either novelties or nearly obsolete, people have begun to store them at a much higher clip.

While this solution is sensible and simple, it does require some planning. Throwing all of your storable devices into a box and just tossing it into your storage unit is not a good strategy. For starters, most storage units aren’t climate-controlled like other indoor spaces. Storage units are also large and generally more densely filled than storage spaces in your home. Lastly, technological devices have special storage requirements that need to be considered.

Have no fear. The storage experts here at Stor-It are here to help with 10 quick tips on how to properly store devices in a storage unit. Reserve your storage unit with us and store your tech the right way!

1. Find the Original Box

When you first get a new device, you may be inclined to forget about (or throw away) the original packaging. Hang onto it! The original packaging can be mighty helpful when it comes time to store a device. Not only is the original packaging the perfect size for your device – it’s also designed to keep your device stable during the shipping process. You won’t have to worry about it bouncing around as you bring it to your storage unit. Also, when it’s time to find your device again, the original packaging will help it stand out amidst a sea of plastic bins and cardboard boxes.

2. Read the Instructions

Knowing how to properly store devices in a storage unit means first knowing how to take care of your devices in general. For this, there is no better resource than the instruction manual. Ideally, you have stored the instructions in the original box so you won’t have to go looking for them. Most of the time, the instructions for an electronic device will tell you how to properly store the device (and how to use it). If you already threw out your old instructions, head to the manufacturer’s website – many have PDFs of the instructions available online.

3. Keep Track of All the Pieces

Some tech devices come with multiple pieces you don’t want to lose. Resealable baggies and tape are going to be your best friend for this phase of the storage process. Tape your filled baggies to the inside of the box (or the outside, if there is no room) your device is in. Just be sure that if the baggie accidentally rips, its contents will fall into another container instead of all over the floor.

4. Don’t Skimp on Packing Supplies

If you don’t have all of your device’s original packing supplies – such as the inner cardboard stabilizers and bubble wrap – then you’re going to need new packing supplies to box up your device properly. Invest in packing peanuts, bubble wrap, or inflatable plastic air pods. Make sure that you fill up all of the empty space in the box you are using so the device is housed firmly and won’t move around when dropped, or get crushed if something is dropped on it.

5. Put Labels on Everything That’s Not in Its Original Box

While original packaging is a good start for storing your device, make sure you keep that packaging inside another, larger box to keep your device in tip-top shape. Label that larger box with a list of its contents. This is a good tip to follow for all of the stuff in your storage unit, by the way – not just your electronics. A labeled and organized storage unit is a happy storage unit. Labeling your boxes will help you easily locate the items you’re looking for without headache or hassle. Here’s a bonus tip: Avoid labeling on the tops of the boxes, as boxes in storage units are stacked all of the time.

6. Put Boxes With Electronics in the Back of Your Unit and on the Floor

Putting the boxes containing your devices in the back of the unit and on the floor will prevent them from ever falling from great heights. Additionally, the further back the electronic boxes live, the less chance you have of disturbing them in your general comings and goings. Don’t stack too much weight on top of your electronics boxes; otherwise, their contents may be crushed.

7. Back-Up Your Data

In the era of cloud storage, you have no excuse not to back up whatever you have saved on your devices. Even if you are taking all of the right steps, you never know what is going to happen to your data in the event of an emergency. If you have your devices backed up, at least the digital parts of your life aren’t destroyed.

8. Remove All Batteries From Your Devices

Leaving the batteries inside your devices when putting them away for long-term storage is a bad idea. If you don’t remove batteries from each device, any leakage can and will seep out and wreak havoc on your hardware. If you are storing cell phones and laptops with removable batteries (not all models have removable batteries), be sure to remove them and store them near your device in your unit.

9. Remove All Dust From Your Unit Before Loading It

Though seemingly innocuous, dust can cause major issues for your devices if left unaddressed over an extended period of time. Purchase a can of pressurized dedusting and spray down your devices. Before putting them into storage. You want your electronic devices to be as clean as possible so that they will last for years to come. For all you know, you may find years of enjoyment (or thousands of dollars) from that impeccably stored PlayStation 3 in the following decades.

10. Rent a Climate-Controlled Unit

If you have it in your budget, and if you are storing a lot of valuable electronics, a climate-controlled storage unit is your best bet for keeping your devices working for years to come. Over time, harsh weather (both hot and cold) are going to eat away at the insides of your devices and quite possibly stop them from working at all. With a climate-controlled unit, temperature and humidity are regulated so that electronic devices and other fragile items are kept in tip-top shape year-round.

Stor-It Self Storage: Electronics Storage Made Easy

Whether you’re storing a Sega Genesis or an iPhone 11, the best and most reliable place to store any of your electronics is at one of our Stor-It storage facilities. With 14 locations across Southern Idaho, and several more being constructed this year, we have convenient options (including climate-controlled units) for everyone in the Treasure Valley and beyond. Got a lot of stuff to store? Each of our locations has packing supplies for sale, and many also have U-Haul trucks to rent on-site. Combine those services with our month-to-month rates on units, free locks, and 24/7, 365-unit access, and it’s easy to see why Stor-It is the right choice storing electronics and other items.

Want to learn more about how to properly store devices in a storage unit? Ready to book with us? Contact our team to have your questions answered, and check out our locations page to find and reserve your new unit!