How To Prepare Your LCD Television For Storage
If you need to store many of your things for a period of time due to a move, then you should rent a storage unit from a storage facility. While many of your things, like furniture items, can be placed in the unit without much thought, other belongings will need to be prepared so they do not become ruined during the storage process. One of these things includes your LCD television. Follow the tips below to make sure that your television stays in good shape throughout the storage period.
Clean The TV
You should box up your television properly to protect it fully from damage, and you will need to clean the TV thoroughly before you do this. Dust must be removed, because it can work its way into the air vents of the device. This can cause issues with the function of the computer chips, audio controls, remote sensing and responding systems, and other electronic components within the television.
The screen can also become scratched from dust. The scratches will not affect the polarizing films and the liquid crystals that allow the screen to produce a clear image. However, they can cause damage to the front panel, which is made out of flexible type of plastic. This panel protects the polarizing films, color filter, and liquid crystals and it will obscure your view if it is damaged. Since the screen is sandwiched together in layers, the panel cannot be replaced without disrupting the entire function of the television screen. This may mean that a series of scratches can lead to the need for a new LCD TV.
To prevent damage, remove as much dust from the TV as possible before boxing it up. Use the brush attachment of your vacuum to release debris around the exterior of the device. Clean the screen afterwards. The plastic panel across the screen is susceptible to chemical damage, so you will need to choose your cleaner carefully. Otherwise, you may end up with an opaque screen that no longer allows images to show through. Bleach and ammonia cleaners can do this. This means that you need to stay away from glass cleaning fluids and other types of general cleaners. You should use water and a small amount of white vinegar instead. Place about two cups of water and one-quarter cup of vinegar in a spray bottle. Lightly spritz the television screen and use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe the screen down. Try not to place pressure on the screen when you do this or you may damage the liquid crystal layer. This can cause discoloration across the screen and the appearance of dead crystals.
Use The Right Packing Materials
Placing your television in a box is the best way to make sure it does not become exposed directly to pests, dust, water, and other environmental contaminants. If you want your box to be strong and durable, then opt for a double-walled variety. Double-walled boxes can withstand more pressure and stress than single-walled varieties. This means that they are less likely to burst or become crushed. Boxes that are rated to hold well over 100 pounds have higher burst and edge crush ratings, so opt for one of these types of boxes if you are worried about television damage during the moving and storing process.
The best box will have an inch or two of open space around the sides and top of the box where you can place packing peanuts or foam. These materials add a cushion to the box to absorb shock and they also help to keep the TV stable so it cannot shift. When you choose your packing materials though, you will need to find ones that do not produce static electricity. A static charge can damage internal electronic components. Packing materials that are safe for electronics are typically labeled static-free and will appear pink in color, so look for these things when buying them from your local packing supply retailer.