Home lockers are like a trusted family friend - be it your precious family jewellery, important property documents, expensive gadgets or cash; home lockers keep everything safe. With technology becoming an integral part of our lives, there has been a gradual shift towards technology-driven, highly-secure modern digital home lockers.

Digital locking mechanism, double walled protection, mechanical override key, etc. are some of the advanced features that lend an upper hand to digital home lockers over the traditional ones. Whether you have your old classic dials or a modern digital home locker locker; a little bit of maintenance, care and upkeep keeps them dependable for years to come.

Here's a guide to keeping your home locker in top shape, blending timeless practices with modern hacks to appeal to every generation.

Maintain a top-notch locker condition

Dust can steal your locker's shine, and if it creeps into the hinges, keyholes, or other mechanical bits, it can build up grime and make opening or locking a hassle. This factor is particularly applicable for mechanical home lockers, as they are operational only via physical locker keys.

Be it a mechanical or a biometric locker, regular dusting with a microfiber cloth is an absolute to keep the locker spick and span. For the inside, mindfully use a

handheld vacuum to suck up dirt and debris, ensuring that it stays clean and seamlessly works for the years to come!

Regular lubrication of lockers

In case you are using a traditional mechanical locker, lubricating your locker is quite necessary since there are many moving parts (i.e., hinges, locks, etc.) that require regular maintenance. Digital home lockers do not require lubrication, as they are secured via electronic locks.

Every six months, apply a small amount of graphite-based lubricant to the keyhole and moving (or mechanical) parts. It is essential that you lubricate the locker with the right amount of lubricant once or twice a year since excessive lubrication can attract dirt.

Periodic checks of locking mechanism & door alignment

The primary task of a locker is to secure the belongings kept inside it, which is why its locking system should be up & working all the time! Also, doors if misaligned, can interfere with the locking system, potentially preventing it from locking securely.

To keep your lockers operational, keep a periodic check on their locking mechanism and also the door alignments. Open and close the door a few times, and make sure the locking mechanism works as expected.

As digital home lockers also have hinges, double-walled doors, and a mechanical override key option; regular alignment checks and periodic inspections surely help in enhancing the functional quality of the locker(s).

Inspect the batteries frequently

Digital home lockers are also equipped with a low battery indicator . In such cases, make sure to change the batteries regularly and keep it marked in your annual calendar to avoid lockouts. Keep a close monitor on the batteries and use high quality alkaline batteries to ensure there is consistent performance,

Even if the batteries are still working, change them annually to keep you from getting locked out at important times.

Incase of drained batteries, make sure to connect to a USB Power port to regain access.

Keep moisture at bay

Apart from bigger calamities like fire and theft, moisture in a locker can be considered a smaller calamity that can damage the internal moving parts of the locker. Irrespective of whether you are using a mechanical locker or a digital home locker, accumulation of moisture can lead to corrosion or significant electrical damage to the circuits of the smart locker.

If not treated on time, the accumulated moisture can also render the locker inoperable. For complete avoidance of moisture accumulation, it is recommended to place the locker in a moisture-resistant environment. Alternatively, you can also use dehumidifiers in & around the locker area.

Regularly inspect for wear & tear

Whether you (or your loved ones) are operating the locker at regular intervals or using it occasionally, regular inspections are an absolute must. This helps in catching any issue at early-stages, much before they become a bigger problem.

Apart from the do's mentioned earlier in the blog, keep a watchful-eye on the locker's hinges, locks, and look for signs of any looseness, rust, or any other type of damage. If you are owing a dual locking mechanism locker or triple locking mechanism locker, operate the locker with its different locking mechanisms (i.e., biometric, keypad, mechanical override key, etc.) at regular intervals to detect any issues in the locker's hardware.

Although smooth functioning of the locker should be your top-most priority, you also look out for external damages such as dents and scratches on it. Minor external damages can weaken the locker's body and overall security offered by the locker.

If you have come across any noticeable wear & tear, proactively consult the locker company (or manufacturer) so that their team of experts can help in rectifying the problems.

Use your home locker gently

The locker operating manual is one resource that should be referred to in times of need This is mainly because the manual contains essential information related to its strength, locking mechanism(s), insights on fire resistance, amongst others. The insights derived from the manual will be helpful in careful handling of the locker.

If you are using a Digital Home Locker, Always use it gently, as rough handling can damage the locker's components over time .

At no point in time should you overload the locker you are using, beyond the specified weight capacity, else it can put immense pressure on shelves and hinges. Open and close the locker gently to prevent any damages to the door alignment.

If you are using a physical locker key and/or a mechanical override key, perform the lock & unlock operations with ease for avoiding any bending of the key. For digital home lockers, regularly clean the keypad with a microfiber cloth and use the keypad gently without putting any external pressure on it. All these go a long way in extending the lifespan of the home locker!

For Biometric lockers, always use a microfiber cloth to wipe the scanner gently. It is recommended to not touch the scanner with oily, wet or greasy fingers. Avoid alcohol wipes or water that could damage the sensor.

Keep emergency contacts handy

As lockers are used for safeguarding valuables and critical documents, you should always be prepared for unexpected events. First thing that you should do is have your emergency contacts handy so that they can be notified in case of a locker malfunction or an entire lockout. These could be stressful times and having someone by your side definitely helps in calming the nerves.

Depending on the gravity of the problem, you should get in touch with the locker's manufacturer for a quicker resolution. For scenarios like hardware failures (for a digital home locker), consult the support team of the locker's manufacturer so that they can help you with a first-level analysis of the problem.

Lastly, store the locker's warranty or service plan in a secure and reachable place (i.e., not within the locker), so that you can yield the warranty benefits when you need them the most.

If you use a biometric locker, it is recommended to save a minimum of 3 to 4 fingerprints for backup access. This will be very helpful if your registered finger is injured or is not scanning properly.

Upgrade the locker

Technology is evolving at a very rapid pace, hence it is essential that you also upgrade with the changing times! Your traditional lock & key home locker might

seem useful for now but you should always think ahead when it comes to securing your valuables against the modern security threats.

Based on your budget and needs, you may want to upgrade to a locker that offers enhanced strength. For example, Godrej offers the 100x locker, which is 100 times stronger than a regular wardrobe, and the 250x locker, which provides 250 times more strength - ideal for securing your most valuable possessions. These lockers offer enhanced security features such as dual-locking mechanism, double walled construction, tamper-proof designs, and more. If your existing digital home locker is showing some wear & tear, you can consider upgrading to a newer one in exchange with the current locker.

Keep the contents in an organized manner

As a locker owner, you do not want to spend unnecessary time locating the required items in the locker. Avoid unnecessary clutter in the locker and keep it organized all the time. Use your locker, as per its strength and resistance. If it is a fire resistant locker, avoid storing heavy jewellery in it as it is most apt for paper documents

Also read - Top 10 things to consider while buying a home locker

Free up space so that there is no extra strain on its shelves and door. You can also opt for small dividers or containers that can house the items for faster access. or As your family members may have locker access, exceptional

organization ensures that everyone can find what they need quickly while maintaining the safety and order of the contents.

Position your home locker in a right place

If you are opting for a sturdy locker like a Godrej 250x locker, that is 250x times stronger than a wooden wardrobe, ensure that you place it on a concrete floor with an even base . It is recommended to use anchor bolts to grout the locker on the floor.

It is important to maintain at least 4- 6 inches of space around the locker for the purpose of ventilation and service access.

Conclusion

Since home lockers house valuables and important documents, you need to ensure that they are functional and operational for years to come. All of this is only possible if you invest time and effort on the overall maintenance of the locker.

The tips & tricks discussed throughout the course of this blog can be used for keeping your home locker in a picture-perfect condition, both from the inside as well as the outside!