Preparing Your Large Appliances for Self Storage
There are several reasons you may choose to store large appliances in a self-storage facility. Maybe you’re moving to a new home that’s equipped with appliances, maybe you’re between homes and storing most of your belongings for the time being, or maybe you’ve purchased new appliances and simply want to keep your old ones on the back burner in case you ever need them again.
Whatever the reason for storing your large appliances, you’ll want to ensure you properly prepare them so that they’re protected and preserved for future use. What exactly does proper preparation entail, though? Below, we’ll lead you through the steps so you can make sure your large appliances are sure to withstand the move and hold up in a self-storage facility.
Washing machine and dishwasher
Make sure you unplug both your washing machine and dishwasher at least 24 hours before you’re going to be moving them! When it comes to cleaning your washing machine and your dishwasher, just go ahead and run an empty cycle through both. You may choose to throw in a bit of bleach or white vinegar to make sure the appliances get a good, thorough clean.
After the appliances are clean, remove the water coil, rinse it, and let it dry. Then, when it’s time to move, wrap your washers up with rope or a bungee cord to keep the lids closed. You’ll likely need a dolly to move them to the vehicle as well.
Dryer
For your dryer, the most important aspect is the lint catcher. Make sure to clean any lint out and rinse it with water. You should also clean out the inside with a damp towel. Then, clean the inside of the dryer with a wet towel as well.
Next, remove the hot air vent and clean as much lint out of it as possible. Clean out the exterior vent as well. To keep your dryer secure during the move, wrap it with a bungee cord or rope, just as with your washers.
Refrigerator and freezer
Keep in mind that you’ll need to defrost both your refrigerator and freezer for at least 2 days (48 hours!) before you move. Before doing this, you’ll want to make sure all your food is emptied out.
You may move food to a spare refrigerator like a mini-fridge or your new one, or you can store the food in a cooler filled with ice for the time being. Once they’re defrosted, it’s time to clean. The inside will need a good scrubbing with some dish soap; make sure to take out all of the drawers, the ice tray, etc., and rinse those out as well.
Next, remove, clean, and air dry the ice maker coil in your freezer. When preparing to move, secure the refrigerator drawers with tape and remove any glass shelves. Wrap the shelves with bubble wrap to avoid any accidents on the move, and secure the refrigerator door with rope or bungee cord.
Oven
One convenient thing about ovens is the “clean” feature they offer. Just remember to spray oven cleaner on the inside of your oven before setting it to “clean.” You should also put the racks in the dishwasher and wipe the inside of the oven clean with a sponge and then a warm rag. Don’t forget to wipe the stove clean as well!
After you’ve finished cleaning, make sure to unplug your stove. If your stove is gas rather than electric, you might want to reach out to a professional who can help you turn off the gas and disengage the piping.
As with all the other appliances, you’ll want to ensure your oven door is secured with rope or a bungee cord.
For all of these appliances, don’t forget an important part of the cleaning process: remember to pull them away from the wall and wipe down the outsides of them for any cobwebs and dust!
Once appliances are in storage
Once you’ve successfully cleaned your appliances and moved them to the storage facility, you’ll want to make sure you’re using proper storage practices in order to avoid mildew. That means removing the ropes and bungee cord with which you secured the appliances and leaving the doors open so that your appliances can breathe.
To keep the appliances as fresh as possible, put open boxes of baking soda inside of them. Covering each appliance with some sort of protection, like a sheet or a tarp, will help prevent any dust that might run the risk of building up.
Finally, make sure there’s enough space around each of your appliances to easily move them back out of the storage facility when it’s time to do so!
Trust Tymac
When it comes time to put your large appliances in self-storage, just know that you can trust TyMac self-storage facilities to keep them safe. As long as you follow these proper procedures, you can know they’re in good, secure hands when you choose TyMac. Visit our website to learn more.
