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We all think we know how to pack - until we actually have to
get round to it! In this section you'll find some tips to help
you source and utilize the best self-storage space for your
needs:
Choosing a self-storage facility
The first thing you need to consider is which self-storage
facility to use. It's always best to remember that you're
planning on storing your own stuff in the facility and would like
it to come back to you one day in the condition you left it in.
If you're unsure, visit some local self-storage facilities and
check them out first before you choose. By the time you make your
choice you should be confident of the following:
- The self-storage facility has put in place adequate security
measures.
- You can access your self-storage unit when you want to.
- The units on offer in the self-storage facility are the right
size for you and could cope with any future needs you might have
to increase or decrease the space you rent.
- The self-storage facility offers units that will suit the
goods you want to store - for example, if you're storing valuable
items you want an enclosed unit with concealing walls so that
nobody can see what's inside.
- The climate control in the self-storage facility is adequate
for your needs - particularly important if you're looking to
store upholstered items, business goods or archive documents as a
few months in a damp self-storage environment will do untold
damage.
- The storage units are tidy and well-maintained - professional
self-storage facilities are well kept and clean.
- Pest control shouldn't be an issue - the self-storage
facility should be able to tell you what types of measures they
take - the last thing you want is vermin lodging in your
belongings.
- The contract small print of the self-storage facility has no
hidden surprises.
- If you're planning on storing a large amount, check that the
self-storage facility has adequate access for the removal vehicle
you've chosen. Many self-storage sites don't have the space or
access for large removal trucks.
Packing for self-storage
Although some self-storage companies will offer packing as an
additional service, you will pay for the privilege and, in most
cases, you'll be packing up yourself. Packing for self-storage is
an art and you'll need to put some thought into it before you
begin. After all, one of the primary advantages of using a
self-storage facility is the fact that you can continue to access
your items even in storage.
The first thing to remember therefore is to pack in such a way
that you can find things at a later date quickly and without
unloading absolutely everything you've put away. Make an
inventory of what you've packed and where it is as you go along.
Other packing and storage preparation tips include:
- Make an estimate of the replacement value of each item you
store to help with accurate insurance policies and in case of
unforeseen damage in the self-storage facility.
- Invest in good quality sturdy boxes and packing materials -
box strength degrades with use. If you buy boxes of similar sizes
it'll be easier to stack them securely in the self-storage
facility and will save you space.
- Box everything that you can - everything that is left unboxed
in a self-storage facility will get dusty and potentially
dirty.
- Fill boxes to capacity wherever possible to avoid breakages
but avoid making them too heavy - remember you'll have to be able
to lift them. You can use materials such as paper or towels or
can buy special packing to fill spaces if necessary. Depending on
the space you opt to rent from your self-storage facility, you
might be stacking boxes on top of each other and the lower levels
need to be sturdy enough to take the strain. Boxes that are only
partly filled may tip over or collapse.
- Label all boxes clearly so you can identify the contents and
keep an inventory. Label them on more than one side so you can
see what's what quickly. Mark 'Fragile' on any boxes containing
breakable items.
- Don't be tempted to fill large boxes with heavy items such as
books as they'll quickly become impossible to carry and may
break. You can buy small book boxes from your self-storage
facility that will do the job just as well. If you do pack heavy
items in a large box put in just a few and then fill the box up
with lighter items.
- Don't pack items into sealed plastic bags, as humidity can
cause mildew.
- Pack books flat to avoid damaging their spines.
- Don't store wet items in a self-storage facility as they can
cause water damage, mould and mildew.
- Large appliances need care before placing in a self-storage
facility - make sure you defrost fridges and freezers thoroughly
before storing them otherwise you'll be leaving yourself open to
water damage. Tie doors up for the move, although you should
leave them slightly ajar once in storage to stop condensation
forming and help ward off bad odours. Drain washing machines
before storing them and tie down hoses etc. Appliances should be
clean and dry and it'll be worthwhile wiping the insides over
with bicarbonate of soda before you store them.
- Wrap all fragile items and breakables such as dishes,
glasses, ornaments etc separately. Paper will do but bubble wrap
is a good investment. Pack them tightly into strong boxes,
filling any gaps with paper or filler. Try to avoid putting heavy
items on top of fragile ones in a self-storage facility.
- If you're going to be storing clothes think about buying
wardrobe or clothes boxes - you'll then be able to simply hang
the clothes in them and they'll keep their shape. It's not wise
to simply put your clothes in bin liners in a self-storage
facility as moisture can get trapped inside when they're sealed
and your clothes could be ruined.
- For the best protection for mirrors and pictures in a
self-storage facility, wrap them in a protective covering such as
bubble wrap and stack them on their ends. Mirrors and pictures
should never be stored flat. Mark them as 'Fragile'.
- Separate lamp bases and lampshades and wrap them for
protection.
- If you're storing upholstered products such as mattresses and
sofas in a self-storage facility it might be a good idea to
invest in covers, bags or sheeting to give them some additional
protection. Stand sofas and mattresses on end wherever possible
to save space and don't stack too much on top of soft
furnishings. Mattresses are best stored on the long end and
should be ideally raised above floor level or laid on protective
sheeting.
- If you're storing a few items of furniture on top of each
other a simple dust sheet or cover placed between items will
minimize scratching and damage in a self-storage facility.
- You'll save space if you can dismantle furniture such as beds
and tables before you store it in a self-storage facility - make
sure you keep hold of all the bits so you can get it all back
together again! Wrap and cover furniture sections and keep them
together, clearly marked, for quick retrieval. You can put
components such as screws and bolts together in a plastic bag,
mark them clearly and tape to the relevant piece of furniture.
Store large pieces of furniture vertically to save space in the
facility.
- Chairs can be stacked seat to seat to save space. Cover chair
legs with protective wrapping for extra protection.
- Spray your wood furniture with a good quality furniture spray
before storing it in the facility to give it some added
protection.
- Electrical equipment such as TVs, stereos and computers
should be packed in their original boxes wherever possible. If
this isn't possible, pack them into boxes that are about the
right size making sure that you pack gaps with paper etc. Make
sure you tie down the player arm of a record player and secure
your turntable.
- If you're storing items with fuel tanks such as lawn mowers
and cars etc in a facility, expect to be asked to drain the tanks
before you put them in storage. Fuel is one of the few things
that you CANNOT store in a self-storage facility.
- Wipe down metal objects and tools with a little oil before
storing to avoid rust formation.
- You can tie tools and long-handled items in bundles. Don't
store a brush resting on the bristles.
- Don't store vacuum cleaners with the bag in - throw it away
before you store them in the facility.
- Treat leather items with a leather conditioner before you
store them.
- Think hard about whether you really want to store photographs
in a self-storage facility. If you do store loose photographs,
place them between pieces of clean cardboard and tape them
together to avoid curling. Photographs will suffer temperature
damage and, if the facility you have chosen is not climate
controlled, you might want to keep them out of storage to avoid
losing them.
- Think creatively and you'll make more space. Plan to use
furniture drawers as an extra box (they are especially good for
fragile items) and you can use the inside of wardrobes to store
boxes. Kitchen appliances such as stoves and fridges can also be
used in this way.
- Seal all your boxes with packing tape before you put them in
a self-storage facility - this will help keep dust out of the
contents.
Organizing your self-storage unit
At this stage in your self-storage process, it's worthwhile
taking some time to plan exactly how to pack your items into the
unit. Unit sizes are determined by price so you can be save money
here by assessing what you have to store and planning to pack it
in efficiently - a smaller and well-packed unit will be cheaper
than a larger one that is badly organized.
There are two key things to remember when organizing your
self-storage unit. Firstly, you need to make sure that you can
easily access the items you've stored in the facility when you
want them. Secondly, you must take care when storing - these are
your belongings and there are measures you can take, apart from
careful packing, that will help protect them during their time in
the facility.
- If you're worried that the floor space in the facility is not
clean enough and might cause damage in itself put down protective
sheeting or boards.
- If you're storing heavy items or boxes check with the
facility to see if they have trolleys or other machinery you can
use. Some self-storage companies will offer these free of
charge.
- In all but the smallest units, try to create an aisle and
leave enough room to be able to get round the back.
- Store your largest items first.
- If you're stacking your unit high with boxes, always make
sure to put the heaviest boxes at the bottom to avoid
damage.
- Stack boxes and similarly sized items together to save
space.
- Try not to lean furniture against outside walls.
- If you're storing metal objects avoid resting them against
items susceptible to damage.
- Try to assess what you'll need to access frequently and keep
it at the front of your unit.
- Fill anything that's hollow - i.e. wardrobes, drawers,
washing machines and fridges with small boxes and other items to
maximize your available space.
- Make sure to stack boxes and containers so that you can see
the labels you put on them.
- Wedge the doors of all kitchen appliances whilst in the
facility open to avoid bad odours and mildew etc., building
up.
- Don't store anything in the facility that you're not sure is
sturdy vertically - if it seems wobbly store it
horizontally.
- If you're worried about the atmosphere/environment in the
unit put down moisture absorbers, deodorizers and vermin
bait.
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