If you need to put away a computer, entertainment system, electronic musical instruments, or electronics of any kind, self storage is a convenient option. Whether you're in a small home or apartment that doesn't have much free space or simply trying to make use of a cluttered area, you can use storage for both a temporary staging area and as long term storage. There a are few risks to understand, but the following solutions can help you maintain the quality of your electronics when you're unable to get to them on a regular basis.

Dust, Humidity And Electronic Danger

Any who has owned a computer for more than a couple of years has seen the amount of dust that can build up inside the system. Although you can reduce the overall dust in a home with good housekeeping, most electronics are literal dust magnets because of the fans that draw air and debris into the system and the electronics that add a very weak, but still existent attraction force.

In storage, you have a slightly different problem. Running electronics--especially computers--have intake and outtake fans that can at least push some air and dust out of the system as well. When the system is in storage with no power, you still have dust that can get inside the system and settle.

It's hard to measure the difference between blowing wind inside an electronic system versus just idle air, but the lack of an outtake fan matters. If you don't take care of the system, long-term dust buildup will be an annoying task when you remove it from storage. 

So what? Electronics should be cleaned out on a regular basis anyway. Unfortunately, another problem can creep in when humid air--either from a water leak, frequent storms, or just regular humid climate--can seep in. The dust buildup can become moisturized and hold that moisture as a damp mass, which allows your electronics to corrode or rust faster. This is a much harder and more expensive fix than dusting maintenance.

Services And Techniques For Keeping Stored Electronics Clean

To solve the problem, your storage facility of choice needs one baseline feature: air conditioning.

Although air conditioned storage facilities may seem common when driving through cities and small towns, it's possible to stumble into a business that doesn't offer air conditioned units. Make sure to confirm that the vents are in place and working, as some formerly defunct or under new management facilities may have simply turned off air conditioning services.

Air conditioning acts as a passive air filtering system as long as the filter is in good shape. Ask to see the filter to inspect its quality just to make sure that there isn't a makeshift screen or damaged filter in place. You don't necessarily need an expensive high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter just to keep your electronics clean, but a mid-grade filter at the very least is necessary.

Another passive function of air conditioning systems is humidity removal. Humidity is removed from the air as a byproduct of the cooling system, and can reduce the corrosion risks of internal electronic components.

Contact a self storage facility representative to discuss different services available for your electronics to stay safe and clean in storage.

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