Plastic storage drawers, are they good?

[8bit]

Those Sterilite tubs definitely look good, looks like a good choice for some loose consoles and I'm starting to pile up some harddrives and such too.

I use those exact tubs for my controllers and misc. If you have the shelf space to stack them up then they are easy enough to manage, and much better than a flimsy drawer system for sure. Oh and anything that comes on wheels, if you are going to fill them up, just take the wheels off. Leaving them on is only going to cause the drawers to sag more at the bottom and rarely will you need to roll things around. I like the tub system because I can just grab exactly what I need and bring it over to the tv.




And when all else fails these always do the trick of keeping things nice and dust free...

[Exhuminator]

I use Windex for my electronics as well and it does a good job

As long as you're using the kind I linked, you're fine. I do not recommend normal blue windex for plastics, as it has glass cleaning solvents like ammonia in it, which can cause some plastics to discolor and become brittle.

But, are you saying you literally just use some white t-shirts to wipe this stuff down?

Yes. I'm talking normal everyday Hanes white 100% cotton t-shirts, the kind that come like 5 to a pack for $10 or whatever. These shirts are hardspun, which means they don't leave behind near the lint that a soft cotton clothe does. But being cotton are soft enough to not damage fine plastic, provided you don't wash them with dirty socks and underwear. Never use paper towels to clean plastics. Besides the fact that paper towels leave plenty of their own detritus behind, they are also made of processed wood, and as such are prone to having sharp particulates which will scratch glossy plastic easily.

And when all else fails these always do the trick of keeping things nice and dust free

The problem with storing electronics in cardboard boxes, is that cardboard acts as a humidity attractor, meaning it attracts and holds water in the air. That means the console inside that box is being subjected to a higher level of potentially corrosive humidity than it normally would be. This is the reason that electronics come wrapped in plastic (and usually a silica gel pack) when housed inside a cardboard retail box.

[samsonlonghair]

I think plastic storage drawers are kinda crappy really, but they're good enough if you're broke.

[8bit]

The problem with storing electronics in cardboard boxes, is that cardboard acts as a humidity attractor, meaning it attracts and holds water in the air. That means the console inside that box is being subjected to a higher level of potentially corrosive humidity than it normally would be. This is the reason that electronics come wrapped in plastic (and usually a silica gel pack) when housed inside a cardboard retail box.

These are stored in my house where humidity is kept a liveable 40-50%. I don't think I should be worried about humidity but I am open to hearing why I am wrong. I could always put the consoles inside of gallon baggies w/ silica packs as suggested by others in earlier posts and the pack them up in their boxes....

[Exhuminator]

I don't think I should be worried about humidity but I am open to hearing why I am wrong.

High humidity can have a variety of negative effects on common integrated circuits. Humid environments can decrease the insulation resistance in electrolytic capacitors. Transistors can also experience increased leakage current and reduced gain, as well. Humidity can accelerate detrimental effects on any metallic materials that are not rust or corrosion proof. Also important is protecting electronics from low humidity environments, which can lead to static electricity discharge that results in irreversible damage to components.

[Xeogred]

In that case...my Windex is the blue "glass" kind, so I guess I'll pick up that type you linked!

Don't wash those used shirts with the rest though? Dangerous toxins from Windex that could spread around or something?

So using paper towels on my TV screens isn't a good idea?

JK.

That's what I use some small dry fiber cloth for.

10/10 for that organization there 8bit. I'm definitely sold on those.

[Exhuminator]

The white cotton shirts I use to clean electronics get washed by themselves.

I told you I was neurotic.

[Jrecee]

I like the cube organizers with fabric cube thingies. They don't seem to be dust magnets as far as I can tell.

[Jagosaurus]

Regarding humidity, we're in Houston where humidity is literally 100% outside. Central AC running quite often. Keeps the humidity way down inside. They actually size of the units is determined not just for heat/temp but to keep humidity down. Too big of a unit won't turn on often enough, essentially making it cool but humid. I wouldn't worry about boxes inside regarding humidity with proper central air.... now silver fish are a completely different beast. Those little bastards will destroy cardboard & manuals. Luckily I've never had them.

[Kaneda]

I have the same tower I bought in Wilkos for £8.99, it's great.
For the controllers I keep them all in plastic ziplock bags (50 on ebay for £2.99) which stop the dust getting on them and primarily it keeps the cables from getting spaghettified.