Self-storage, both short and long term, is a great way to
house belongings during a period of transition or to simply free up some space
in your home. But when it comes to doing it right, it turns out that figuring
out how to pack a storage unit is only part of the battle. To really ensure you’re
optimizing your storage and keeping everything safe (not to mention making the
process as easy on yourself as possible), you’ll want to take a few extra
steps. Follow the self-storage tips below for advice on how to tackle your
storage like a pro.
Preparation Prior to Your Move
Gather up plenty of
sturdy, corrugated boxes, totes, packing paper, bubble wrap, sealing tape and
marker pens, along with any furniture covers or shelving you intend to use in
your storage unit.
·
Collect, gather, buy
packing supplies
·
Start packing boxes as
soon as possible
·
Send address change
cards
·
Get copy of school
records
·
Have clothing dry
cleaned
·
Check on items in repair
shops
·
Notify utilities and
telephone companies
·
Set a date for utility
disconnection and hookup
·
Return borrowed items
and things you’ve lent out
*Use Quality Materials
Use high-quality packing
boxes designed especially for the job and seal them completely with packing
tape.
Keep, Give, Trash
A month before you move
is a great time to clean house. Plan a trip to your local donation center with
old clothes, toys or sporting equipment, garage and lawn gear. If something is
broken, expired, or no longer of use, lighten your load and throw away what you
won’t be taking with you.
Think Outside of the Box
Using plastic storage (totes) is a great option for accessibility
without the hassle of packing tape.
Label All Boxes and totes
Clearly label boxes and
totes, so you know their contents.
Make a List
1. Create a list (as well as pictures and descriptions) of
labeled boxes for easy reference. Color coordinating or numbering each box is a
great trick to stay organized. Mark clearly all boxes containing fragile items.
Keep your list at your home or office
for reference. Wyoming Storage Solutions is NOT
responsible for any losses incurred. By far, this tip is one of the most
over-looked of all self-storage tips.
2. List the contents of each box on all four sides. Number your storage boxes and create a reference
guide for the easy location of items. Seal all boxes with tape.
Manage Weight
For easier handling,
limit the weight of all cartons, regardless of size, to 30 lbs. or less. Pack
heavy items such as books and tools in smaller boxes.
Pack Efficiently
Pack as much as you can
in the same size boxes. Fill boxes tightly, but take care to neither overpack
nor underpack. (Bulging cartons tip when stacked, while half full boxes tend to
collapse). Use wadded up newspaper, bubble wrap, rags, towels, or blankets to
fill in empty spaces. For maximum protection seal cartons with tape.
Use Paper for Breakables
Use lots of paper to
pack dishes and glassware. Place a layer of packing paper inside the bottom and
top of cartons. Wrap each dish and glass separately and cushion them with
crumpled paper. Plates are best stacked on edge. Pad mirrors and paintings with
paper. Place them in special mirror packs or large boxes; mark boxes.
Mark Your Calendar
Make a timeline leading
up to moving day for cleaning out, labeling, and organizing your life before
you move. Take a little time each week or day to check off the list, one room
or closet at a time.
Moving Day!
·
Discard all flammables,
such as paint and gasoline
·
Finish packing. Leave
out items for moving day
·
Empty and defrost
refrigerator and freezer
·
Have everything packed,
except bedding
·
Pick up ice and
beverages
·
Strip beds. Cover
mattresses with mattress bags unless they are going in storage
·
Turn water and lights
off
·
Lock windows and doors
Furniture
Place a pallet,
corrugated cardboard mat, or plastic sheet on the floor before placing
furniture. If possible, stand sofas and mattresses on end. Disassemble beds and
tables and wrap table legs in paper. If a table will not disassemble, place
padding on the floor and place the table on its top with the legs pointing up.
Use dresser tops for stacking cartons and dresser drawers for linens or small,
delicate items. Keep upholstery off the floor. Most lightweight chairs can be
stacked “seat to seat” or placed upside down on tables, which cannot be
disassembled. Finally, place a light cotton dust cover, such as a bed sheet,
over your furniture.
Clean Stored Items
Clean and dry appliances
before storing. Secure all movable parts with paper, or wedge and wrap a paper
pad around each item for protection. During transport tape all doors shut but
remember to wedge them open for storage.
Appliances
A refrigerator or
freezer should be thoroughly dry and stored with its door slightly ajar. Some
goods can be stored inside large appliances. Be sure to make a note if you
place anything inside. Boxes can be stacked on top of stoves, refrigerators,
and freezers. Make sure that stoves and cooking equipment are clean and dry
before you pack them. Washers must be completely drained to prevent damage from
freezing.
Dishes and Glassware
Place a layer of packing
inside the bottom and the top of boxes containing glassware. All glass items
should be individually wrapped: nest cups and bowls together and stand plates,
saucers, and platters on their edge. Wrapped glasses should be placed near the
top of cartons. Again, fill all open pockets with packing paper. Label all
boxes containing glassware and do not place heavy items on top.
Bedding, Clothing, Curtains, Drapes and Linens
Fabric items like
clothing, curtains and drapes are best if stored on hangers. If hanging cartons
are not available, such items should be carefully folded and stored in dresser
drawers or cedar chests along with bedding and linens.
Mattresses
Mattresses may bend out of shape if not standing straight up. If you store a mattress on its side,
be sure to prop it up so that it does not lean. A mattress cover will
help protect it from dust and dirt both in the moving and storage period.
Mirrors, Windows, Glass Sheeting and Screens
These items should be
stored on edges, not flat. We offer a selection of mirror/picture boxes that
can be purchased at our office.
Books and Documents
Pack books flat to
protect the spines. Use packing to fill all empty pockets in each box. Do not
pack fragile items in the same box with books and do not overload.
Holiday Decorations
Save the original
cartons that contained delicate ornaments. Pad the ornaments with packing paper
or newsprint. Wrap strings of lights around a piece of cardboard before placing
in a carton lined with packing paper.
Tools
Metal tools should be
cleaned and wiped with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil to prevent
rust. Long handled tools such as rakes, shovels and hoes should be clean,
lightly oiled and tied in bundles or stored in trash cans in an upright
position.
Bicycles and Other Metal Items
To avoid rust, wipe all
metal surfaces with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil.
Use Drawers
Use bureau drawers to
store small, fragile items. Secure items in drawer by filling empty spaces with
towels or packing paper.
Cover Chairs
Protect chair legs by
wrapping them in packing paper. Leave slipcovers on upholstered chairs and
cover them with plastic chair covers.
Separate Lamps and Lampshades
Wrap large lamp bases in
padding and wrap smaller lamps completely before placing them in boxes. Pack
delicate lamp shades separately. Do not use newsprint to wrap lamp shades or
any other goods that may be damaged by ink stains. You can purchase unprinted
wrapping paper, foam wrap or bubble wrap at our location to help protect
delicate items. Do not store heavy items on top of cartons containing lamps or
lampshades.
The Storage Unit
CAUTION: Do not store any explosives or combustibles such as paint; paint thinner, gasoline, solvents,
oil, propane, lithium batteries, etc. Storage of such items may result in
a catastrophic loss of stored items and severe damages to the storage facility
which you will be responsible for. Wyoming Storage Solutions strictly enforces
this rule.
Insurance
Purchase renter's insurance. Check to see if your renters or homeowners’ insurance covers personal property in storage. If it doesn’t already, you may be able to add it on or purchase a separate storage insurance plan through the insurance company or the storage company. It’s good for peace of mind to have extra protection just in case, especially since if you didn’t care about the items in your unit, you probably wouldn’t be going through the trouble of storing them in the first place.
Pre-plan your storage
space.
Place those items that you may need to access often in the
front of your storage unit. Plan for allowing ample space for walk-ways
throughout your storage unit.
Don't Put Boxes on the Floor
Do not place boxes directly on concrete floors, use pallets,
2x4 boards or skids to prevent moisture
absorption. You can also prepare your space by
placing a protective cover on the floor of your storage unit.
Don't Rush
Taking time to carefully
load your storage space will ensure the best results for your belongings. Be aware of stacking boxes to be sure that fragile items
are not located at the bottom of a stack.
Leave Some Room
Leave air space around
the perimeter to aid ventilation. Boxes of the same size make for easy
stacking.
Clear a Path
Leave a walkway to the
rear of your space for convenient access to all items.
Placement
Store items you’ll need
most often at the front of the unit. When you pack your storage unit, create a center
aisle for access to all items.