If you’re putting electrical appliances, otherwise known as ‘white goods’ into storage, it is important to prepare them properly beforehand to avoid causing damage to them.
In this latest blog, we’ll discuss appliance storage. For example, how to store items such as washer & dryers or refrigerators in storage units. If you follow our tips, we can assure you that your belongings will remain in good condition whilst in storage – especially if you plan to store them for some time.
What Are ‘White Goods’?
If you’ve recently got your own place for the first time, your family and friends might have mentioned ‘white goods’, and you might be slightly confused!
The term ‘white goods’ mainly refers to large, electrical household appliances that can generally be found in every kitchen or utility room. These include fridges, freezers, washing machines, tumble dryers, combination fridge-freezers, cookers, dishwashers, and microwaves.
These appliances make our lives much easier by ensuring that our food is preserved, chilled and cooked efficiently, and that our daily cleaning tasks are swiftly completed.
Years ago, these relatively large electrical appliances were usually only available to buy in white, hence the reason they’re commonly referred to as ‘white goods’. (The term ‘brown goods’ refers to more lightweight electronic goods, like TVs, radios, computers and games consoles.)
Over the years manufacturers have started to make household domestic appliances in various colours, but generally speaking, appliances that fall into this category are heavy and cannot be moved easily around a home.
Most white goods also need to be connected to either gas, water, electricity, or even an air vent – so this limits where they can be located within a home.
Happily though, there’s a huge range of white goods available to purchase online and in-store these days, and you’ll find there are different variations of each type of appliance to be had, should you need appliances with specific characteristics.
How To Store White Goods
Before Storage
If you are planning to store a washing machine in a storage unit, run it on a final wash cycle, with an empty machine.
Using a specialist cleaning product for washing machines, or just a cup of bleach/white vinegar when running the final wash cycle will clean out the washing machines’ hoses.
Making sure a white good that uses water, like a washing machine or a dryer, is clean and dry before storing it away will prevent mould or unpleasant odours from developing.
Also make sure you drain all residual water from white goods. This is particularly important if you are storing appliances during cold weather when any residual water may freeze and cause issues later on.
Give your white goods an overall clean before you store them away, inside and out.
Defrosting and thoroughly cleaning inside fridges and freezers is particularly important before storage.
Any food remnants left in the interior will rapidly create mould and may even attract insects. Also remember to vacuum and wipe any removable filters or grills where dust or fluff might have built up over time.
Check if your white goods have any concealed drip trays where residual water might be stored too.
On The Move
When the time comes to transport your white goods, make sure you take out any removable internal parts, like shelves and storage trays/boxes.
This will mean there’s less chance of moveable parts rattling, and it’s less likely damage will occur during transit.
White goods are best kept upright when they are being moved and remember to secure any appliance doors shut to stop them from being able to swing open and cause damage.
Like most furniture, large household appliances can also be dented or scratched when you move them, so where possible try to use a protective wrapping of sorts when moving – like bubble wrap.
During the moving stage (and when it finally comes to storing your white goods) do not try to save space and time by stacking them one of top of the other. Instead place them in an upright position and if possible, raise them off the floor on pallets to promote air circulation.
In Storage
In a storage unit remember to store heavy white goods and large household appliances against the walls so they don’t block access to items you need to reach more frequently.
Cover your appliances whilst they’re in storage too. This will help protect them from dust, moisture, and damage from other items.
If you can, avoid using plastic covers or covers that do not allow air to flow, as they can trap moisture and cause mould.
And, of course, we recommend that you keep appliances turned off and unplugged whilst they’re in storage.
Storage Solution in Glasgow
If you’re looking for a secure storage facility in Glasgow for your white goods and household belongings then look no further than GTW Storage.
We’ve got a range of competitively priced personal self-storage options and we will always help you find the smallest space possible; so you only pay for what you need.
To discuss any of our services or your specific storage needs, call us today on 0141 221 4727 or enquire online.