When you know your belongings and possessions will be in storage for a while, it’s a good idea to take a few precautions while packing them. A little extra attention during the packing stage will ensure your items remain undamaged and easy to get to when you need them. Here are a few tips for good storage packing:
Check the Weight
It’s tempting to use over-sized boxes or totes and fill them to the brim with as much as possible, especially when you know these boxes and totes will be sitting in storage. However, it’s important to remember that boxes still need to be lifted by a human being! Also, after sitting for a long period of time, some storage containers begin to lose their strength, which could lead to spills and falls.
Wrap With Care
If you are planning on storing fragile or delicate items, be sure you take the time to protect them by wrapping them in appropriate material. It’s best to wrap dishes individually and to pack them lightly into a box. These boxes will need a “fragile” sticker for sure!
Use Lids
Lids are essential when it comes to storage for a couple of reasons. First, an open box with no lid is sure to collect dust and other debris. Items stored in a box or other storage container with no lid can be easily damaged if something should fall. Secondly, storage containers with lids are easier to stack. This allows you to use the space in your storage unit more efficiently.
It’s Good to Use Labels!
Good labeling as you ready your possessions for storage is a very important step if you’re planning on holding onto your sanity down the road. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to figure out where things are in a storage unit filled with unlabeled boxes. Yes, labeling can add time to the packing process, but it is definitely worth it.
Books and Other Heavy Items
Lots of books to pack? Remember that it’s best to pack books flat to avoid damaging their spines. Also, be careful not to pack too many books or other heavy items into one box, as this will make it tough to lift and store. You may end up creating a situation where the box can’t hold the weight of the books and end up breaking through the bottom of the box.
Take Beds Apart
When storing bed frames in a storage unit, it’s best to disassemble them as much as possible. You might think that keeping the bed frame together will make things easier when moving in or out of your home, but it can actually create a nightmare in your storage unit and take up way too much space.
For more ideas and tips on good storing practices, be sure to talk to the experts at Deer Valley II Self Storage. Our on-site managers are always willing to share their expertise and insight based on their experience. Give us a call at 480-386-6022.
