When putting your items in storage for any amount of time, it’s important that you pack them in a way that’s certain to protect them while maintaining their quality. This is very true for musical instruments, which can be valuable both from a money and sentimental sense.
There are several reasons why someone might need to store musical instruments. Instruments are often passed down through family in the hope that it accrues value over time, storing it is an easy way to ensure it stays in safe hands. In other cases, the simple factor of added security might be the reason for storage. Those in a band also commonly place their musical instruments in storage. Musical instruments like guitars, drums and amplifiers can take up a lot of space, especially in small homes and storage can provide a secure and easily accessible alternative. Here’s how you should store your musical instruments to keep them in great condition.
1. Get them clean
When you put an instrument in storage you should do so in a way that ensures that when you take it back out, it’s in the same condition as it was when it went in. The first step in achieving this is to give your instrument a thorough cleaning.
It’s important that you understand the best way to clean your specific instrument, as different types require different methods.
Wooden instruments should be cleaned with a slightly damp paper towel and then dried with a soft cleaning cloth. Wax, oils and alcohol based pastes should be avoided as they can dry out the wood and cause aesthetic damage. Metal instruments should be cleaned with a soft brush and a brass polish that offers a solid base for protection.
Any instrument that can be taken apart should be, and each individual section cleaned on its own.
2. Case preparation
No matter what type of instrument you have, it should be completely covered. Most of the time, hardcover cases offer the best protection from external factors like light and pests, however it’s important to remember that even hard cases can be penetrated.
Most hard cases are lined with a velvet that offers protection and cushioning. Sometimes, this lining can damage instruments if they are left in their cases for extended periods of time. The way to avoid this is to use acid-free tissue paper between the velvet lining and the instrument. Larger instruments can be covered in clean cotton sheets.
Instruments that can be split up into separate pieces should be broken down and stored that way. Strings should be loosened to prevent strings from snapping or warping the neck of the instrument. Piano strings can handle pressure so loosening them is not necessary.
3. Storage
Once you have your instrument clean and protected in a case, it’s time to consider exactly where you will be storing your instrument. Ideally, a room that is climate controlled will protect your instrument the most, however if that’s not an option, getting your instruments off the ground on to shelves or wall hangers is your next best option. Larger instruments like pianos and drums can be placed on wooden pallets. This is important because the floor experiences the most temperature fluctuations.
Wherever you store your instrument, you should be sure it won’t be in the way of people and isn’t in danger of possible spills or things falling.
Every time you take your instrument back out of storage, it’s important you assess it carefully and ensure nothing has happened to it since you put it in storage.
If you’re looking to store your musical instruments, or simply need more storage space, Spacer can provide you with affordable, secure and local storage solutions.
