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How Long Can You Store a TV?

When I bought my new flat-screen TV, I was determined to make it last. But how long can a TV actually be stored? I had no idea. After doing some research, I found out all the tips, tricks, and advice to properly store a TV for the long-term. In this blog post, I’m sharing the results of my research so that you can store your TV safely and extend its life.

Generally, TVs can last around a couple of years in storage. Nonetheless, that may not be true for all TVs since it highly depends on the storage quality. A TV stored in your hot garage is bound to last less than a TV stored in a temperature-controlled room.

Stick around to learn more about how long you can keep a TV stored and tips on keeping it well-protected.

FactorDescription
Stored TV LifespanThe lifespan of a stored TV is not fixed and can vary depending on storage conditions. On average, a flat-screen TV may last around 2.6 years in storage.
ConsiderationsComponents such as circuit boards, plastic material, indium-tin-oxide, and liquid crystal display (LCD) can affect the storage lifespan of a TV. These materials can deteriorate when exposed to humidity, extreme temperatures, or other unfavorable conditions.
Prepare Your TVClean the TV thoroughly using a microfiber towel to remove dust and dirt before storing. Dust can cause damage to circuit boards and LCD screens.
Pack the TV in Its BoxPlace the TV back in its original box, or create a DIY storage box with a dust cover, plastic stretch film, and a cardboard box. Add padding materials such as packing peanuts, bubble wrap, or crumpled paper to keep the TV steady and protect it from damage.
Store in Proper EnvironmentFind a suitable storage location that is not too hot, cold, or humid. Ideally, rent a temperature-controlled storage unit to maintain optimal conditions for your TV. Store the TV upright and elevated off the ground to prevent screen damage and protect it from ground-level moisture. Consider using moisture-absorbing silica beads if humidity levels are too high.
ProsProper storage techniques can help extend the lifespan of the TV, keep it in a safe and dust-free environment, and prevent warping or damage due to extreme temperatures.
ConsRenting a temperature-controlled storage unit can be costly, and additional materials such as bubble wrap and packing peanuts may be required for proper storage. The TV should not be stored on its side to prevent screen damage.

Stored TV Lifespan

Due to each TV being different, it’s often difficult to pinpoint how long you can leave it stored. If left unused for too long, it could potentially degrade due to a lack of improper storage.

What to Consider When Storing Your TV

That being so, to know how long your TV can last, you can start by understanding its components. For instance, the device is filled with several circuit boards. If exposed to humid weather, they could deteriorate and lose their performance.

Typically, these boards tend to go bad as they get older. Nevertheless, they can last for a decade if well protected from any contamination. Apart from that, TVs are mostly composed of plastic material that simply needs proper room temperature storage to last long.

Now, TVs are also made up of other chemical compounds such as indium-tin-oxide and liquid crystal display or LCD. These materials may lessen your TV’s storage time. With these in consideration, a stored flat-screen TV may last an average amount of 2.6 years.

How to Store a TV

A TV’s storage lifespan is hardly fixed. This is where storage quality comes in. Luckily, there are ways to try your best to extend your TV’s lifespan when left unused.

Step #1: Prepare Your TV for Storage

The first thing you want to do is make sure the TV is well-cleaned before placing it back into its box until further notice. You mostly want to wipe your TV with a microfiber towel to keep any dust residue off.

Dust can critically damage your TV’s circuit board by causing corrosion and third-body wear. Additionally, dust can cause micro-scratches on your LCD screen, which can ruin its display quality. 

Step #2: Pack the TV in Its Box

Next, you’ll want to place your TV back in its designated box for safekeeping. The original box should contain foam paddings and covers. Otherwise, if you lost the original box, it may be trickier to store.

In this case, you’ll have to DIY your box. Firstly, you’ll want to find a dust cover for the TV. You can optionally opt for old blankets or duvets since dust cover prices may run a little steep. Make sure the covers aren’t too abrasive or contain any zippers that may scratch the screen.

After grabbing the covers, you’ll want to wrap them tightly around the TV. You can use a plastic stretch film to go around it. The next layer of protection is cardboard. Try to find a cardboard box that’ll fit your TV with the covers.

In the box, you can add packing peanuts, use bubble wrap, or even crumpled paper. The main objective is to keep the TV steady in its cardboard box.

Step #3: Place the Sealed TV in the Correct Environment

Now that you’ve encased your TV in its protective layers, it’s time to find a storage space. All your protection work can easily go to waste if you place the TV in an unsuitable environment.

For this reason, you’ll want to find a place that’s not too hot or cold. Plus, one of the biggest enemies in most kinds of electric storage is humidity. The high moisture levels can damage the inner components of your TV.

To find a middle ground, we suggest renting a temperature-controlled storage unit. If the humidity levels seem too high, then you can add moisture-absorbing silica beads and add them to the cardboard box.

In addition to this, do not store your TV on its side. Always keep it upright. Leaving it on its side can potentially cause damage to its screen. Plus, you also want to keep it on elevated ground to avoid any ground-level moisture finding its way to your TV.

Pros

  • Can help extend the lifespan of the TV
  • Keeps TV in a safe, dust-free environment
  • Can keep the TV from warping in extreme temperatures

Cons

  • Can be costly to rent a temperature-controlled storage unit
  • Need to use materials for storage such as bubble wrap and packing peanuts
  • TV should not be stored on its side to prevent screen damage

To Conclude

Whether you’re looking to store your TV for a few months or a couple of years, you need to find ways to better protect the device. Otherwise, you’ll risk damaging your investment.

For instance, if you decide to leave it for winter in your basement, the electronic components could potentially warp. To avoid this, placing the TV in its original box and keeping it in a well-preserving storage unit is your best bet. That way, it can last close to two to three years.

Read more: How long does it take to mount a TV?