Self Storage Preparation Tips
You can fit SO MUCH MORE into a storage unit if you take the time to prepare. Here’s some tips to help you.
Bedroom Furniture
To best protect your mattresses, cover them completely and store them vertically to help reduce space. Pack all cushions, pillows and other soft pieces in boxes and store them next to the bedroom furniture.
Bed bases should be disassembled is possible and stored lengthwise (either vertically or horizontally).
Cupboards
Remove all items from cupboards, cabinets and bookcases and pack them into boxes. Use packing tape and material to prevent glass doors from cracking or smashing. Lock doors or tape shut if not lockable. If cabinets have protruding or delicate edges, keep them separate from other items to prevent breakage.
Boxes
Rule number 1: If it can fit in a box, put it in a box. To assist with stacking and space, try to use the same size boxes.
Try to fill each box totally so that there is less chance of it being crushed or bursting. Fill it with packing material to help keep out dust.
Office Files And Folders
To save time when searching through your stored documents later, make labels and categories for all your office files, folders and equipment and store them in flat boxes or archive boxes.
Don’t overfill these because they can get quite heavy. To avoid spine damage on books, pack them flat. Sensitive electronic equipment is best stored in its original packaging or suitable box. Remove all batteries to prevent any battery leakage over time
Household Furniture
It’s important to wrap furniture carefully either with shrink wrap (preferable) or blankets to protect the coverings.
Make sure to wrap cushions in with sofas so that they stay together and try to fit furniture together, like chairs, so that they stack evenly.
Kitchenware And Crockery
The key word here is fragile, so wrap everything (particularly glassware) in tissue or packing paper, and ensure that you put extra packing in the bottom, sides, top and in any spare space within the box for added protection.
Mark the box ‘Fragile’ or use ‘Fragile’ packing tape. Another point to remember is to NOT stack these boxes underneath heavier boxes. Have them on top for extra protection.
Bedroom Furniture
To best protect your mattresses, cover them completely and store them vertically to help reduce space. Pack all cushions, pillows and other soft pieces in boxes and store them next to the bedroom furniture.
Bed bases should be disassembled is possible and stored lengthwise (either vertically or horizontally).
Cupboards
Remove all items from cupboards, cabinets and bookcases and pack them into boxes. Use packing tape and material to prevent glass doors from cracking or smashing. Lock doors or tape shut if not lockable. If cabinets have protruding or delicate edges, keep them separate from other items to prevent breakage.
Boxes
Rule number 1: If it can fit in a box, put it in a box. To assist with stacking and space, try to use the same size boxes.
Try to fill each box totally so that there is less chance of it being crushed or bursting. Fill it with packing material to help keep out dust.
Office Files And Folders
To save time when searching through your stored documents later, make labels and categories for all your office files, folders and equipment and store them in flat boxes or archive boxes.
Don’t overfill these because they can get quite heavy. To avoid spine damage on books, pack them flat. Sensitive electronic equipment is best stored in its original packaging or suitable box. Remove all batteries to prevent any battery leakage over time
Household Furniture
It’s important to wrap furniture carefully either with shrink wrap (preferable) or blankets to protect the coverings.
Make sure to wrap cushions in with sofas so that they stay together and try to fit furniture together, like chairs, so that they stack evenly.
Kitchenware And Crockery
The key word here is fragile, so wrap everything (particularly glassware) in tissue or packing paper, and ensure that you put extra packing in the bottom, sides, top and in any spare space within the box for added protection.
Mark the box ‘Fragile’ or use ‘Fragile’ packing tape. Another point to remember is to NOT stack these boxes underneath heavier boxes. Have them on top for extra protection.
MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT
It’s important to drain the oil from any machinery to reduce the risk of damage of other goods through leakage or spillage.
Another good idea is to wipe over the machinery with a light coating of oil to prevent rust, particulary if you are using long-term storage. Keep potentially rusty items away from each other when storing.
CLOTHING & APPAREL
The best way to store clothing is in sealable plastic cartons or air-tight vacuum bags to keep clothes, soft linens and blankets dust and wrinkle free.
For extra protection, use naphthalene or mothballs to stop damage or mould. Store all your cloting and apparel together for easy access.
APPLIANCES
Kitchen appliances and whitegoods need to be cleaned before storage. They also need to be defrosted and free of mildew and moisture to prevent damage. Store with doors slightly open.
Use packing material on the door edge and tape to hold in place. Check appliance hoses to ensure they are completely dry to prevent water damage. Secure extra hoses, nuts, bolts or extra hardware items in plastic bags inside the appliance so that you don’t lose anything.
BOAT & TRAILER
Similar to machinery, it’s best to remove all oils from motors and clean the trailer and vessel thoroughly removing all salt.
Unhook the batteries, making sure the battery area is clean and dry to prevent moisture buildup. Secure all equipment remove any items that might get damaged. Store these inside the boat.
MOTOR VEHICLES
Cars, motorbikes, scooters and even mobility aids should all be cleaned, greased, have tyres filled with air and preferably be covered during storage.
CARAVANS
Caravans, like boats, need to have the van and the trailer prepared for storage. The caravan should be cleaned and have any dirt removed while the trailer should have the electronic connectors thoroughly protected from corrosion or moisture.
