Like your car or your mattress, the large appliances in your home are items in which you have likely placed a significant investment. That is why it is so important to ensure they are properly cleaned and prepared whenever you need to store your appliances for en extended period of time. Refrigerators, large freezers and portable air conditioners in particular require certain measures to be taken to ensure they emerge from storage in pristine condition. To help you avoid any future issues with things like mold contamination and faulty mechanisms, take a look at the following tips for appliance storage from the storage experts at Annacis Lockup.

How to Store a Refrigerator for an Extended Period

When it comes to storing any size refrigerator, the number one thing you should be sure to avoid is moisture inside the fridge or freezer. If there happens to be even a small amount of water or condensation inside the fridge when it is closed and packed away in storage, you can end up with a disgusting mold or mildew contamination, which can make your refrigerator unfit for future use. In addition to the havoc water can wreak inside the fridge, you can also encounter mechanical problems if any outer component of the refrigerator is allowed to rust. To avoid these serious issues, make sure to do the following before you store a refrigerator:

Empty the fridge and freezer completely.
Leave the fridge and freezer door wide open for an hour to dry out and defrost any ice built up inside. Then wipe the inside clean and allow more time for the refrigerator to dry out completely.
If your refrigerator has an ice maker and water dispenser, it is vital that you disconnect any hoses and make sure any water tanks or pipes are completely rinsed and empty.
Transport any shelving separately, and make sure to keep the refrigerator secure in an upright position during transport and for storage purposes.
Once the fridge is secure and in place in storage, return the shelves and other interior items to their original place, then make sure the fridge and freezer doors are left slightly open before you leave the fridge in storage.

Storing a Freezer Chest in Storage

Similar to a refrigerator, freezer chests are prone to mold and mildew buildups if not properly cleaned, dried and prepared for storage. The following tips should help you make sure your freezer chest is properly prepared for long or short term storage:

Empty the freezer of all items and any removable racks or shelving.
Wipe down the interior of the freezer with warm water and dish soap to get rid of any stains or dirt. You may also want to polish off the painted metal exterior of the freezer to avoid any future rust buildups.
Let the inside of the freezer dry out completely, then secure the lid with a strap or piece of tape for transport. Be sure to always move and place the freezer chest in an upright position.
Wipe out any dust or dirt from the compressor located at the rear of the freezer. You should then cover this area before leaving the freezer in storage.
Once the freezer is placed in storage in an upright position, make sure to prop the lid slightly open so the interior remains dry at all times. You may even consider placing a box of baking soda in the empty freezer to prevent any future odours.

Storing a Portable A/C Unit Long Term

Portable window mounted air conditioners are extremely useful when it comes to beating the summer heat, but in a place like Vancouver, they are not necessary year round. Proper storage of your portable A/C unit will ensure it is ready to work right away when the weather gets hot again. The following storage tips will ensure you avoid any issues with your A/C unit in the future:

Avoid leaving your unit in the window if you can. This will prevent issues with cold drafts of air coming inside in winter, and it will also prevent any damage to the A/C unit caused by ice buildups in the mechanism.
Keep the original box for your A/C unit to use for future storage. This will protect the unit from dust which can wreak havoc on the interior components. If you don’t have the original box, you can cover the unit with a garbage bag and tape the outside to seal it completely.
Be sure to store the unit in an upright position to avoid causing damage to the compressor.
Give the A/C unit a quick dusting and wipe down before you put it away for the winter in a cool, dry place such as a basement or climate controlled storage unit.

For more helpful storage tips, or to reserve your own storage unit at our clean and secure facility, feel free to contact us at Annacis Lockup today!