When packing items up to put them in storage, there are certain items you know to be careful with: fine china, leather, and cosmetics, for example. However, there are a few items that you may not expect to be so sensitive to variations in temperature and humidity. Failing to prepare these products properly may cause them to get ruined during their time in storage. Here's a look at three such products and how to store them.

Food preparation appliances.

If there are even a few crumbs in an appliance like a toaster or microwave, changes in humidity can lead to mold and bacteria growth. By the time you pull the appliance out of storage, it will be so smelly you'll have no choice but to throw it away.

So before you put any food prep appliance into storage, sweep all of the crumbs out. Then, prepare a mixture of 1 part bleach in 10 parts water. Wipe down the interior and exterior of the appliance with this mixture. Then, let it air dry completely before packing it into a box for storage. The bleach kills any lingering mold spores or bacteria, protecting the item in the long term.

Linens and bedding.

It sounds gross, but your bedding may have some hair and skin particles on it, and these can attract insects, especially if the conditions are warm and humid. The linens and bedding items can also become moldy if exposed to moist air. So launder all of your linens fully before putting them into storage. Let them dry completely, and then seal them into vacuum bags. If you do not have vacuum bags, put them into a plastic storage tote, and tape the lid onto the tote to make it more airtight to that moisture does not enter.

Cloth furniture.

You know you have to protect leather furniture to keep it from cracking, but cloth-upholstered furniture is actually just as sensitive. Humidity can cause molding, and any crumbs or tiny remnants can attract bugs. Start by vacuuming the furniture to remove all crumbs and contaminants. If there are any stains on the furniture, treat them now with some upholstery cleaner. The high temperatures in the storage unit will only serve to seal them in and make them worse over time. In storage, always cover your cloth furniture in a cotton sheet to keep the dust off while allowing it to breathe.  

For more tips, contact a company like AA All American Airborne Self-Storage.

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