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Packing and organising your items efficiently before placing them into storage will save time and money – here are a few useful tips.
Use good quality moving boxes, preferably all the same size so they are easy to stack – and not too big or they will become too heavy to lift.
Do not overfill the boxes and fill any gaps with tissue or old newspaper.
Pack books flat to avoid damaging their spine.
When storing clothes use your won suitcases or Wardrobe Boxes to prevent clothes from creasing and losing shape.
When storing business files, label all boxes and leave a gap so files are easily seen and accessible.
Half-filled boxes tend to collapse when anything is placed on top of them. Clearly label all the boxes so you can identify them.
Place items you require regular access to such as golf clubs or clothes near the entrance of your unit.
Wrap delicate items such as china in bubble wrap so you can see them clearly and do not put plates flat in a box – stack them on their sides to avoid damage.
Clean all fridges and defrost freezers to avoid water damage and mildew growth and leave doors slightly ajar once placed in storage you can wipe down the inside of appliances with baking soda before storing them which will keep appliances dry.
Wrap mirrors and pictures in bubble wrap and label as FRAGILE.
Separate lamp bases and shades and wrap for extra protection.
Use brown paper or acid-free tissue to pack delicate items such as china as opposed to old newspapers which can cause staining.
Ensure all garden tools and furniture is clean and drain any fluids from mowers before storing.
Avoid using plastic bags which are not very secure and sealed plastic bags can trap moisture causing mildew.
Try and store all electrical equipment such as computers in the original or similar size boxes – remove any batteries as they can leak over a period of time.
When disconnecting computers with various cords, place small coloured stickers on the cables and the same coloured sticker on the device so it will be easy to reassemble.
Treat leather sofas with leather conditioner before storing and empty vacuum cleaner bags as mould and bacteria can accumulate.
Make sure you don’t pack away the essentials like mugs, tea & coffee and most importantly the kettle – the removal guys will never say no to a cuppa!
When renting a self-storage unit it is important to organise your belongings when first moving them into the unit – this will allow you to maximise every inch of space efficiently and easily access the unit without too much hassle.
The first step is to decide what to put into storage which will determine the size of the storage unit required. If you are looking to store furniture items you will need to organise a van or book a REMOVAL company – generally, a small Transit van load equates to a 250 cubic ft/7 cubic metre storage unit – the storage units increase in size by a couple of feet in width and length.
Packing your items – once you have decided on the size of the storage unit, you will need to start packing accordingly. It is always better to try and use boxes – cardboard or plastic – rather than plastic bags. Same size boxes will stack neatly on top of one another. Use smaller boxes for heavier items such as books or they will become too heavy to lift. Finally label all the boxes so you know where everything is – labelling boxes room by room will make unpacking so much easier and if you need to look for something in storage, you will have a better idea of which box it will be in. When picking up boxes keep your back straight and bend your knees – if stacking items high in the storage unit, use our safety ladders. If you have any furniture, use storage blankets to cover before placing other items on top and use corner foam protectors to protect artwork, and table corners etc.
Move into the storage unit – Before placing everything into the storage unit, decide on which items you will need regular access to, such as important documents, clothes, golf clubs – these should be placed at the front of the unit. If you have enough space, try and create a walkway in the middle of the unit and stack items on either side for easier access. Place heavy boxes at the bottom and face the labelled boxes so you can see them. If you want to be super organised or are thinking of renting the storage unit long term, make a sketch plan of where everything is – you will thank yourself later.