Sewing machine in garage
 

Hello, I will be moving in a couple of months. I have done a search and found that storing fabric in a garage is not recommended but has been done with bad and good results. I need to put in plastic containers (I do have and will). My question is about sewing machines. They are good ones, with electronics. Can they be stored in a garage, that will get quite hot (100+ degrees), but only for a short time. 2 months maybe 2 1/2. During hot months of August and September. Just until I get my sewing room set up. I know when I have them in my car during freezing weather, I have to let them sit to room temp.

What do you think? Good for a couple of months?

Sometimes you just have no choice.... Have a good time on the move!

I wouldn't store electronics in a hot garage. Just like computers, electronics machines tend to not do well in high heat and it can damage them.

Should not store computers in extreme heat or cold.

I would avoid extreme heat or cold on any sewing machine - new or old. As far as the fabric, should be OK for a short time - but, speaking from experience, get plastic totes that are not too big as fabric is very heavy. Also, get plastic totes with lids that latch on instead of just snap on. Made the mistake of buying some huge plastic totes with lids that just snapped on and my poor DH just about ruined his back by picking up the very heavy totes full of fabric and then the lids popped off. So, I had to unload all of the fabric, takes the totes back to WalMart and buy smaller ones with the lids that locked on instead of just snapped on. Clear plastic was perfect as you can see what is inside. HTH

I think much depends on your location and whether or not the garage is free standing, attached to or under the house? Do you have lots of humidity, or dry summers?

I would feel comfortable storing my sewing machines in my garage, but it is incorporated into my house, and about 1/3 underground. It can get quite warm, but not unreasonably so. Summers here can be hot, but not humid. The garage does not get as hot as outside.

Do you have any other options? Where will you be living for the two months? Is there a closet you can store them in, does a friend have a basement corner you can use?

Don't leave the machine in the garage. Find a corner in the house to put it.

Computers don't deal well with heat, hence a room with computers has strong air conditioning.

Thanks for all the replys. I don't have to store them (sewing machines) in garage. I have the opportunity to use the garage sooner, and wanted to move them now, so I have more room to move in my sewing room.

I have a lot of stash to move. Not looking forward to moving all that ... but looking forward to the move.

Thank You again

I think any computer or any electronic that was not running the heat or cold has no effect on them assuming they won't be hot enough to melt or cold enough to crack. I do know the self lubricating machines should not be stored for months without being run to distribute the lubrication so it won't dry up. The best moving and storing containers are the large plastic trash cans on wheels. Only way to move books for sure!

When I move about three months ago, both of my Berninas came with me from my old place into the apt. I would put them somewhere in a closet or under the bed instead of the garage.

I packed up my sewing room...machines, fabrics, etc. in either their original box or in plastic totes. All was supposed to be stored in an A/C storage facility but I'm sure it was not as some small appliances, etc. had turned yellow which I think is caused from a hot environment. They were stored in there for almost 4 years and this was in hot, humid Florida. Nothing was damaged or unworkable excluding the discoloration of the appliances.

Be sure and get some desiccant to go in with your fabrics. I made the mistake of storing our christmas ornaments in our basement and even though they were in plastic tubs with tight fitting lids, some of the fabric ones got mildewy and had to be cleaned--what a pain. If I'd put some of those silica gel packets in with them it probably wouldn't have happened. I can imagine it could be a serious problem if you've got a large stash and you are moving to a hot/humid locality.

I would not store the machines in the garage if there is another space in the house for them. Since the garage is not heated/cooled I would be concerned not only about excessive heat, but also about moisture from ambient humidity.

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I would not store my sewing machines in a garage as the temps can go too high or too low for them. Plus they can sweat as the temps change and that would not be good for them. I'd try and keep them where the temps are more stable. Perhaps a family member or good friend who you know you can trust would allow you to store them in a bedroom or something.

We are moving to Florida in two weeks. My machines will travel with me in my truck, fabric with movers. Once in FL, I will need to store the fabric in our attached hanger, but the machines will find a corner in a closet or room some place. Hanger gets too hot during the day.

I don't see where you state your machines are in cabinets. If they are not in cabinets get a good carrier with wheels (easy to move, easy on the back, and find a corner or back of a closet. AS far as storing your fabric, you can go to any hardware or home improvement store, also order on line different forms of silica to put in the storage area. It will help to contain/absorb any moisture. They aren't expensive but always worth the price. Also if you don't have one, purchase or rent a dollie to load and move. Beats the cost of a chiropractor or hospital stay.

White appliances turn yellow just from age. I have several that have done that. My cordless mixer and my White serger. They have never been anywhere hotter than my house. They both work well, just look yellow from age.

I think the problem is not the heat but the possibility of humidity. Perhaps you can include something in the case (similar to the idea of the little silica packets in shoe boxes) to absorb any moisture. Check with a local hardware store and see what the have. Also, if you can open up the plastic container every once in awhile to let it breathe. I keep some fabric stored in large plastic bins in a storage shed and once a month I open the tops. Fabric I have been working with I keep in cardboard because of the moisture it may have collected from handling. I asked for a bunch of medium size pizza boxes from a local business and use them to store orphan blocks. The are perfect size, breathe, stack well and I can write on the outside the type of block (Christmas, black/white, etc). But. I don't think just the heat of a couple months would do any real damage. Good luck with the move!

I know of a quilter that had a high end (really high) machine and left it in car(I don't think but a few days) and the motherboard ended up being fried. Had to be replaced. I would not for anything leave mine in storage in all this heat. It would go where I go or store at friend's house.

Yes, I agree.

Good luck and I hope all goes well for you.
Sometimes we just have to take a chance and do what we can do.

Unless you're moving to Venus, there is absolutely no issue with storing your machines in a garage. Temperatures would have to exceed several hundred degrees (more that 300+) to do any damage. Even running computers will tolerate temps in excess of 150. Problems begin to arise as you approach 200 degrees. I ran data centers for the worlds largest computer chip company for years. No harm will come to your machines. Just bring them inside for several hours before plugging them in and using them.

Call a good sewing machine repair or sales person and ask them for their opinion.

My machines are the most important part of my sewing area and their location takes precedence over everything else. Even if I have to move them around a time or two, or four. :o

When we moved across 4 states to the West Coast, my machine traveled with us in the car. I kept it in my sewing room until we were packed, loaded and ready to leave. It's like my child - never out of site.

I'm sure you have heard the old saying "It's not the heat; it's the humidity.". Humidity will wreak havoc on your electronics.

I thank you again for all your advice. I decided I could not replace them so talked to my daughter and they are now inside her house til the move is over. I had the actual boxes that they came in, so that is what I put them back in. It is one more worry off my mind, whew. With a move coming up (only 55 miles) ... I have a lot of worries.

Thank you allllllllll!