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Long Term Storage Faqs
Frequently asked questions about long term storage

• Will long-term storage be harmful for my washer and dryer?
  The only reason storage would cause any damage is if it had water or detergent somewhere in the 'system'. These will cause degradation of the hoses or rust in the drum. I imagine that if you take steps to make sure is it completely water free, you should be fine.
  
  Run the washer once or twice with just water to clean out any soap residue. Disconnect the hoses from the back of the washer. Open the door of the washer and allow it to completely dry before it gets packed away (a couple of days at least). If you can see or hear any water in the washer, try and get it out.
  
  Clean the dryer, getting as much lint out of it as possible. You might also plan on replacing the washer hoses and dryer vent when you reinstall them, just to be sure.
  
  
• How should I pack china & crystal for safe long-term storage?
  Purchase a box of bubble-wrap and wrap china in this. (Don't use newspaper as the newsprint can rub off onto the china and damage it). You can use the styrofoam padding or pellets for around the outer edges of the boxes, on the inside, for extra protection.
  
  
• What should I do to prep an old car for long term storage?
  
  
  1. Drain and flush the radiator, refill with new antifreeze.
     
  2. Place a cover of some kind over the radiator overflow line, bugs will make a home there and plug the line.
  3. Change the Engine Oil and filte
  4. Lube all the grease fittings, the door, hood & trunk hinges.
  5. Pour a couple of quarts of light weight engine oil into the gas tank.
  6. Start engine and run it until you get lots of blue smoke out the exhaust. (This coats in inside of the Carb, intake manifold, cylinders and the exhaust with a light coat of oil to prevent corrosion.)
  7. Top off the gas tank, add fuel stablizer. If the gas tank has a vent line, be sure to cover it.
  8. Cover the ends of the exhaust to prevent critters from making a home in the exhaust.
  9. Remove the aircleaner and cover the top of the carb with light plastic and then reinstall the aircleaner.
  10. Remove the battery and store it away from the car.
  11. Put a light coat of wax on the paint and chrome
  12. Clean the interior of the car.
  13. Put a couple bags of dessacant, a open box of baking soda and some mouse/rat poison in the car.
      Leave the vents or windows open a little.
  14. Use a rubber lubricant on the door and trunk seals.
  15. Put the car on jack stands just high enough that the tires do not touch the ground. Make sure you release the hand or parking brake.
  16. Cover the car with soft blankets or a car cover. Be sure the cover does not go all the way to the floor or
      ground, it is important for air to circulate under the car.
  
  If you are worried about theft, remove the rotor from the distributor and store it with the keys.
  Place a copy of the storage checklist in the glove box to use when you remove the car from storage.
  
  When you are ready to remove from storage;
  
  Reinstall battery, remove the cover on the carb and radiator oveflow line, reinstall the rotor in the distributor. Now disconnect the coil wire, and with a fresh battery crank the engine over several times until the oil pressure indicates you have pressure, or if it has an idiot light until the light goes out.
  
  Before you reinstall the air cleaner, spray starting fluid in the carb, reconnect the coil and start the engine. It may take a couple of tries to get it to run smooth, the neighbors will love you for all the oil smoke, but they will get over it.
  
  
• How do I drain a washing machine of water for long term storage?
  First you will need a bucket so that it can hold any water that may be in the hoses that are used to fill the washing machine. Then turn off the water to both of the hoses. Pull the washing machine away from the wall (be careful not to stretch the hoses). Get behind the washing machine and undo one of the hose connections. Once disconnected place it into the bucket and allow it to drain. Then continue to do the same to the remaining hose.
  
  
• What is the best material to place under your car for long term storage? (Currently on a concrete floor)
  The best thing to do for long term storage of a car is to place it on jack stands. You can purchase a set of 4 with a hydraulic jack for fairly cheap. That way, you won't get flat spots on your tires.
  
  
• What to use as car stands for long term vehicle storage?
  Jack stands are usually the best option for stands. And the better the jack stand the safer it will be. But many also use bricks and they have the same affect as a jack stand. Both are great options to keep tires from rotting and becoming flat.