Home appliances are notorious for taking up a lot of space, and they quickly become a burden when you've decommissioned them and no longer need them. If you recently upgraded your kitchen and still have your old appliances or an old washer and dryer that work but no longer need, you can store them at home or find a self-storage unit.
Start a wash cycle
Before putting something into self-storage, such as a dishwasher or washing machine, it is a good idea to run a wash cycle (using bleach or vinegar instead of detergent) to ensure that the appliance is clean. If you leave dirt and grime in an appliance for an extended period, the dirt and grime may harden when you donate or give the appliance to someone else.
Make sure that the doors remain open
You should always store an appliance with the doors open. Suppose you put something like a dishwasher or washing machine into storage with closed doors, especially if you just ran a wash cycle before putting it away. In that case, you are inviting mould and mildew to grow, which you don't want to deal with when the time comes to take the appliance out again.
Prevent Odors from Invading
When you store an appliance, include a box of baking soda with it. Baking soda is a well-known deodorant, and keeping a box in your washing machine or dryer will prevent the appliance from smelling like old, dirty water when it comes out of storage.
Cover It Up
When storing your appliances, always keep them covered. You can use an old sheet to cover them, but remember that the goal is to keep dust off them. It will also keep them from scratching up during loading and unloading. Never use plastic, and make sure whatever material you use is breathable.
Planning and common sense are required when preparing appliances for storage. Keep the above tips in mind when putting your appliances into storage or self-storage to ensure they come out the same way they went in.
