A lot of people ask us when it would be appropriate to store in a climate control unit. We always suggest climate control if you are planning on storing any items for a long period of time. Even if you are storing short-term, there are some items that should always be stored in a climate control unit. Here are some of these items at a glance:
- Art: Paintings and fine art can shrink or expand in extreme temperatures. In humid environments mold or mildew can grow and ruin the artwork.
- Delicate Fabrics: Clothes, antique toys, or upholstered furniture can grow mold or mildew in humid environments.
- Delicate Paper Items: Books, magazines, comics, and photographs can turn yellow in extreme temperatures.
- Electronics: Computers, speakers and cameras can corrode and grow mold in humid environments.
- Metals: Metals react to moisture in a storage environment. Iron will rust, copper turns green, silver turns black and lead will turn into a white powder.
- Optical Discs: CD’s, DVDs and video games should be stored in cool, dry environments. Vinyl records in high temps can cause warping, and temps too low can cause a record to break in half.
- Wood Furniture or Instruments: Wood items will contract in colder temperatures and expand in warmer temperatures. Wood items can grow mold and wood rot when in high humidity.