Seasonal Storage Mistakes That Ruin Your Furniture, Clothes, and Electronics
The team at In Towne Self-Storage has seen a lot over the years at 132 Indian Springs Dr in Sandwich, and unfortunately, some of what we've seen involves people discovering their stored belongings got damaged during storage. The worst part? Most of this damage was completely preventable.
In this blog, we’ll talk about the biggest seasonal storage mistakes that actually ruin furniture, clothes, and electronics, and how to avoid becoming another cautionary tale.
Mistake #1: Skipping Climate Control for Illinois Weather
This is the number one mistake we see in Sandwich. People underestimate how Illinois' seasonal swings affect stored items. We're talking 90-degree summers and below-zero winters, plus humidity that makes everything worse.
What actually happens:
Wood furniture cracks, warps, and splits when exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations and humidity changes. That solid oak dining table your grandmother left you? It won't survive a summer in a non-climate-controlled unit.
Electronics fail permanently when moisture gets inside. Circuit boards corrode, screens develop issues, and internal components deteriorate. Your expensive TV or computer equipment needs stable conditions.
Clothes develop mildew and musty odors in humid conditions, even if they were clean when stored. Once that smell sets in, it's incredibly hard to remove.
Leather furniture and clothing dry out and crack in low humidity, or absorb moisture and develop mold in high humidity. Leather is finicky.
The fix: If you're storing anything you actually care about keeping nice, climate control isn't optional in Illinois. We maintain 55-80°F year-round with controlled humidity. Your belongings experience basically indoor conditions regardless of what's happening outside.
One customer stored a nice leather couch in a standard unit, thinking it would be fine. One Illinois summer later, the leather was cracked, faded, and developed mold spots. The repair costs more than climate-controlled storage would have for two years.
Mistake #2: Using Garbage Bags and Cardboard Boxes for Clothes
People pack clothes in trash bags or old cardboard boxes and wonder why everything smells terrible or gets damaged when they retrieve it.
Why this fails:
Garbage bags trap moisture against fabric. Even small amounts of humidity create the perfect environment for mildew. Plus, bags can tear and don't protect against pests.
Cardboard boxes absorb moisture from the air (Illinois humidity strikes again), which then transfers to your clothes. You get musty smells, potential mold, and deteriorating boxes that collapse.
Cardboard attracts silverfish and other pests that will happily munch on your clothes. We've seen entire wardrobes damaged by pests that got into cardboard boxes.
The right way: Use plastic bins with tight-fitting lids. Clear bins let you see contents without opening them. Make sure clothes are completely clean and dry before storing. Any residual dirt or moisture accelerates damage.
Add cedar blocks or lavender sachets to deter moths and keep things smelling fresh. Avoid mothballs unless you want everything to smell like your grandparents' closet forever.
For nice clothes like suits, winter coats, or dresses, use garment bags on a rack if possible. Hanging storage prevents wrinkles and allows airflow.
Mistake #3: Storing Electronics Without Protection
Electronics are expensive, and seasonal storage can destroy them if you're not careful. We've seen people pull out TVs, computers, and sound systems that are completely non-functional after storage.
Moisture is the enemy. Even small amounts of humidity cause corrosion on circuit boards and connections. Once corrosion starts, electronics often don't recover.
Temperature extremes damage screens, batteries, and internal components. Freezing temperatures and extreme heat both cause permanent damage.
Dust accumulation in vents and on components causes overheating issues when you try to use them again.
How to protect electronics properly:
Climate-controlled storage is non-negotiable for electronics. Period. Don't even consider standard units for anything electronic you want to work with again.
Remove batteries from everything before storage. Batteries leak and corrode, destroying whatever device they're in. Take them out.
Use original boxes if you have them. They're designed for protection. If not, wrap items in bubble wrap and use sturdy boxes.
Add silica gel packets to absorb any residual moisture. You can buy these in bulk for cheap.
Don't store electronics directly on concrete floors. Use pallets or shelving to keep them elevated.
Cover screens with a soft cloth to prevent scratches and dust accumulation.
One guy stored his entire home theater setup in a standard unit over winter. Come spring, nothing worked. Moisture had corroded connections throughout. That was thousands of dollars in equipment destroyed because he tried to save $30/month on climate control.
Mistake #4: Storing Furniture Without Cleaning or Prep
People throw dirty furniture into storage, assuming it'll be fine sitting there for months. It won't be.
Food residue and spills attract pests like mice, insects, you name it. They'll nest in your upholstered furniture and cause damage you can't see until it's too late.
Oils and dirt left on wood accelerate deterioration and can cause permanent staining or discoloration.
Dust and grime combine with humidity to create conditions where mold can grow on fabric and wood surfaces.
Proper furniture storage prep:
Clean everything thoroughly before storage. Wipe down wood furniture, vacuum upholstered pieces, and treat leather properly. Clean furniture stores better than dirty furniture.
Polish wood furniture to add a protective layer. This helps prevent moisture absorption and keeps wood in better condition.
Disassemble what you can. Tables with removable legs, bed frames, and shelves. Taking them apart saves space and reduces stress on joints and connections.
Wrap furniture in breathable covers, not plastic sheeting. Furniture needs airflow. Plastic traps moisture against surfaces and creates mold heaven.
Use furniture pads or blankets between stacked pieces to prevent scratching and damage.
Elevate furniture off the floor using pallets or boards. Even in climate-controlled units, you want airflow underneath.
Mistake #5: Overstuffing Bins and Boxes
This seems minor, but it causes real damage to stored items and makes everything harder to manage.
Problems with overstuffed storage:
Boxes break and collapse, potentially damaging contents or creating avalanche situations in your unit.
Clothes get wrinkled and compressed beyond recovery. You pull them out, and they're basically unwearable without serious cleaning and pressing.
You can't actually find anything because everything's crammed together. That defeats the purpose of organizing storage.
Weight stress on furniture at the bottom of stacks causes damage over time.
Better approach:
Pack boxes to about 80% capacity. Leave room for items to breathe and for you to actually access contents if needed.
Label everything clearly on multiple sides. In the future, you will thank the present you for this.
Stack strategically with heavier, sturdier items on the bottom and lighter items on top.
Leave aisles in your storage unit so you can actually access things without unpacking everything.
Our Storage Philosophy at Indian Springs Drive
We're at 132 Indian Springs Dr because we want to be accessible to Sandwich and the surrounding communities. When people need seasonal storage, we want it to actually work for them. Do not create expensive problems down the road.
That means being honest about what storage conditions different items need. Sometimes people don't want to hear that their plans won't work, but we'd rather have that conversation up front than deal with discovering damaged belongings later.
If you're planning to store furniture, clothes, electronics, or anything else seasonally, come talk to us first. We'll give you straight advice about what protection your specific items need and how to prep them properly. No sales pressure for larger units or features you don't need. Just practical information based on what we've seen work and not work.
Your belongings deserve storage that protects them, not storage that damages them while you pay rent. That's the baseline expectation, and we take it seriously.
