Musical instruments can be a pretty significant investment for many people and they can last a lifetime if properly maintained. Storage units can be an excellent option if you are needing a safe and secure place to keep your musical equipment, but it is important to know how to properly store your items to ensure that your musical instruments stay in pristine condition. In this blog, you will find helpful tips on how to safely store your musical instruments in a self-storage unit.
Tips on How to Safely Store Musical Instruments in a Self-Storage Unit
1. Store your instrument in its case.
It is recommended that you store your instrument in its original case, when possible. The case is designed to hold the instrument and all of its pieces securely and safely. If for some reason you are unable to use the original case, try finding a replacement rather than opting for a box, bag, or bin. Be sure that whatever case you choose to use is waterproof.
2. Find climate-controlled storage.
The best way to ensure that your musical instruments stay in pristine condition while in storage is to use a climate-controlled storage unit. These units help to keep both the temperature and humidity at constant levels, which is extremely important for musical instruments. Extreme cold, dry temperatures can cause instruments to crack. Humidity can also cause damage to musical instruments, as high humidity can cause wood to warp or deform.
3. Make sure to clean your instrument before storing.
Before putting your instrument into storage, make sure to clean it thoroughly. Using the appropriate cleaning solutions, ensure that you have cleaned each part of the instrument as this helps to keep moisture and dirt from building up and damaging the instrument. Certain instruments, such as flutes, have padded keys. To help prevent the keys from sticking or being damaged in storage, try placing tissue paper between the pads and the instrument body.
4. Disassemble your instrument.
If your musical instrument is designed to come apart, make sure to do so before placing it into storage. Take off mouthpieces, remove reeds, and detach straps. For stringed instruments, loosen the strings slightly. The pressure of tight strings can cause your instrument to warp. Do the same for bowstrings and drumheads. Pianos do not need to have their strings loosened, as they are designed to withstand strong pressure.
5. Cover any large instruments.
Large instruments, such as a drum set or a piano, will not have a case to store it in. If you are planning to store large instruments, make sure to secure them in a protective covering. Use heavy padding to wrap things like benches, pedals, and piano legs. Using a large protective cover for your instrument helps protect them from dust, mildew, and pests.
Contact USA Self Storage Today
If you have additional questions about storing your musical equipment, talk to your local self-storage professional for guidance. The facility manager can often offer some helpful advice to ensure your instruments stay safe while in storage.
Are you looking for a place to store your musical instruments? Locally owned and family-managed, USA Self Storage is the perfect solution for you! We have locations all over central Arkansas and video surveillance to keep your belongings safe. Here at USA Self Storage, our contracts are flexible, meaning you can pay month-to-month. Contact us at 501-701-0707 to get your storage unit set up today!