When most people think of cold storage facilities, their minds naturally fill them in with perishable food such as meat, dairy, fruit, and frozen fare. While this is certainly the case in many temperature-controlled units across the country, it isn’t exactly the entire picture.

Here are nine surprisingly common non-food items you didn’t realize needed cold storage.

1. VACCINES

With the long-awaited release of the COVID-19 vaccines earlier this year, a lot of people learned for the first time that many medicines need to be kept at subzero temperatures before being administered.

If left out at room temperature, most vaccines will quickly lose their potency and become less effective at protecting their recipient from harmful viruses. This is obviously not what pharmaceutical companies want, so cold storage and cold transport are an absolute must.

2. ARTWORK

If you’ve ever visited the Sistine Chapel or a certain wing of a fine art museum, then you’re probably aware that artwork—particularly older pieces—is incredibly sensitive to light. But did you know that it’s also sensitive to heat?

It’s true! While most artwork can be safely stored above freezing, the oldest and most delicate of masterpieces really benefit from long periods of cold storage. These colder temps keep the colors from fading and the paint from flaking, which helps avoid irreparable damage.

3. COSMETICS

While most women aren’t going to make a trip to the refrigerator every morning to grab their mascara, cosmetic companies are very much aware that storing their inventory in a colder setting is one of the best ways to extend their products’ shelf life.

Lipstick is a prime example of this, as fluctuating temperatures can wreak havoc on its consistency. Other cosmetics are more susceptible to bacteria growth too, which the cold temps (thankfully) help keep at bay.

4. FLOWERS

While flowers (and other plants for that matter) will live the longest if kept in the ground and routinely cared for, that isn’t really an option for many floral shops and flower delivery services. Once the flowers have been cut, a slow and steady freshness timer begins to tick away.

However, if kept in cold storage, the stems better retain their moisture, and the petals remain crisp and colorful for longer. This helps ensure that customers aren’t surprised with a bouquet of wilted flowers.

5. CANDLES

It should come as no surprise that wax candles, when subjected to heat, will deform and lose their shape. Long, thin candles and those with an exterior pattern are especially susceptible to this and should always be stored in a cool place.

If stored in a warm environment for long enough, many candles will start to lose their color too, or form bleached “color spots.” Arguably the best reason to keep your candles cold, though, is that the wicks will burn slower, and the wax will drip less. Who wouldn’t want that?

6. TEXTILES

Many textile companies will utilize cold storage to keep their products in the best condition possible. Organic materials such as leather, wool, and fur will slowly break down or rot over time, which is obviously not ideal.

While treating the materials will help keep them looking and smelling fresh for longer, the best way to extend their lifespan is to keep them cold. Some high-end dry cleaners have even been known to use this strategy when storing fancy furs and leather items for pickup, so you know we must be on to something.

7. COLOGNE

Believe it or not, cologne will keep its distinctive scent for longer if stored in cold temperatures. The opposite is true for perfume though, so be careful. Room temperature is preferred to keep its potent fragrance.

8. SEEDS

There’s a very good reason the Global Seed Vault—a long-term storage facility meant to safeguard the Earth’s precious plant species—is located on a remote island off the coast of Greenland. That reason? It’s very, very cold there.

If you don’t intend to plant your garden seeds right away, the best way to store them is in a freezer, inside a moisture-proof container. This will give the seeds a much better chance of not only surviving but thriving once they’re eventually planted.

9. FILM

While the vast majority of photos taken nowadays are done on smartphones and digital cameras, there remains a small percentage of photography purists who prefer using old-school film to capture their art.

Anyone who’s ever stepped foot in a dark room knows that light is the mortal enemy of film, but what they may not realize is that heat is its partner in crime. That’s why any film that needs to be stored for a long period of time should be kept securely in its canister and placed in cold storage.

CONTACT US TODAY TO STORE YOUR TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE ITEMS AT FLORIDA FREEZER

Does your company produce one of the items on our list? Or perhaps you have a different product that also requires cold storage. If that’s the case, contact Florida Freezer today!

Florida Freezer is a family-owned and operated company with almost 50 years in the transportation and warehousing industry. Let our team of professionals take care of your cold storage and supply chain needs.