Musical instruments are a significant financial investment and can last a lifetime if they are well looked after and are stored properly. That’s why you must keep your musical instruments in good condition at all times and ensure you know how to store musical instruments safely.
Here are some things to consider when thinking about how best to store musical instruments safely.
It is important to ensure that the location you plan to store is clean and dry. This can often be overlooked but it is very important. A clean storage unit will protect your musical instruments from dust and dirt and help to prevent mould and mildew from growing. Always ensure that that the storage area is dry and well ventilated to prevent any form of water damage occurring.
Before putting any kind of instrument into storage for any length of time, make sure to give it a good clean with a recommended cleaner. If polishing is required, do that, too. Never use household cleaners, since they can damage the instrument.
Musical instruments are sensitive to drastic temperature changes, high humidity, and prolonged exposure to heat and cold. Those conditions can have drastic effects on your musical instruments, such as going out of tune, growing mould or mildew, or even severe structural issues like warping or cracking.
Always keep your musical instruments stored out of direct sunlight. The sun’s UV rays can fade the finish on your instrument, causing dullness, cracking and peeling of veneers. This can all play a part in damaging the structure of your instrument and lead to costly repairs.
Depending on how long you plan on storing your instrument, it’s a good idea to purchase a proper case. Hard cases are best, especially if you’re regularly hauling instruments in your vehicle. Hard cases don’t just offer etxra protection, they also help to protect your instrument from harmful UV light and keep dust and dirt out.
There are different types of cases available for different kinds of instruments. Some cases are hard-sided, while others are soft-sided.
Loosen strings and bow hairs to prevent them from expanding and contracting during storage. It’s much easier to increase the tension on loose strings than it is to deal with an instrument whose neck has warped.
Periodically checking on your instruments in storage can help you identify any potential problems early on and prevent them from becoming bigger issues later on. Inspect your instruments for any physical damage such as discolouration, mould, corrosion, cracking or warping. Also check all of the moving parts on your instruments such as keys, strings, or pedals to ensure they are moving smoothly and not sticking.
Proper storage of musical instruments is crucial to maintaining their condition and to prevent damage. You’ve most probably spent a lot of money on your musical instruments and it is important to keep them in the best possible condition.
Bigfoot Self Storage offers clean, dry and secure storage rooms for all types of personal storage requirements. Why not enquire with us today!