| 1. |
When packing ensure you label
and locate so you can find them at a later
date remembering to allow for access and
walkways during your storage time, you don’t
want to unload everything to get to the
back of the container for something you
need. |
| 2. |
Create a storage location log along with
an inventory sheet.
|
| 3. |
Make an estimate of the replacement value
of each item you store to help with accurate
insurance policies and in case of unforeseen
damage. |
| 4. |
Invest in good quality sturdy boxes and
packing materials - box strength degrades
with use. Tape the bottom of each box prior
to filling. When packing the boxes you could
use specialist paper or towels. However,
we recommend you wrap your goods according
to value and vulnerability e.g. stand plates
on edge, not flat, China, Crystal, all glassware,
pictures, mirrors using bubble wrap, using
newspapers may stain or damage your valuables.
Quality furniture with finished surfaces
and corners will require a combination of
corrugated card and bubble wrap. Ensure
small items are wrapped in plain paper to
avoid them being thrown away with the waste
wrapping paper. |
| 5. |
Label all boxes clearly so you can identify
the contents and mark your inventory accordingly.
Label them on more than one side so you
can see what is what quickly. Mark or label
“FRAGILE”
on any boxes containing breakable items. |
| 6. |
Box everything that you can - everything
that is left unboxed in storage may get
dusty. |
| 7. |
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 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 if used at the bottom of
the stack. |
| 8. |
Don't be tempted to fill large boxes with
heavy items such as books etc as they'll
quickly become impossible to carry and to
avoid injury when lifting. |
| 9. |
Don't pack items into sealed plastic bags,
as humidity can cause mildew. |
| 10. |
Large boxes can be utilised in packing
lightweight items. |
| 11. |
Pack books flat to avoid damaging their
spines. |
| 12. |
Don't store wet items in a self-storage
facility as they can cause water damage,
mould and mildew. |
| 13. |
Refrigerators
and freezers 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. Tape
or tie up electrical cables to back of machine
to prevent plug 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. Disconnect
and empty all hoses from washing and dishwasher
machines and place in the
tub. Tape or tie up electrical cables to
back of machines to prevent plug damage.
Appliances should be clean and dry and it'll
be worthwhile wiping the insides over with
bicarbonate of soda before you store them.
Interior space can be utilised to store
lightweight or crushable items. |
| 14. |
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 foam
peanuts. Try to avoid putting heavy items
on top of fragile ones. |
| 15. |
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. |
| 16. |
For the best protection for mirrors and
pictures in a storage facility, wrap them
in a protective covering such as bubble
wrap or mirror/picture boxes and stack them
on their ends. Mirrors and pictures should
never be stored flat. Mark or label them
as “FRAGILE”.
|
| 17. |
Separate lamp bases and lampshades and
wrap them for protection. |
| 18. |
If you're storing upholstered products
such as mattresses and sofas in storage
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. |
| 19. |
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 whilst in storage.
|
| 20. |
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. |
| 21. |
Chairs can be stacked seat to seat to
save space. Cover chair legs with protective
wrapping for extra protection. |
| 22. |
Spray your wood furniture with a good
quality furniture spray before storing it
in the facility to give it some added protection.
|
| 23. |
Electrical equipment such as TVs, stereos
and computers should be packed in their
original boxes after being bubble wrapped
wherever possible. If this isn't possible,
pack them into boxes that are about the
right size making sure that you pack gaps
with bubble wrap. It is essential when packing
DVD or video players that you avoid the
use of shredded materials and small “seeded”
packing as they may get inside the workings.
|
| 24. |
.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. Do not
store anything “COMBUSTIBLE”
i.e. paint thinners, petrol, solvents etc. |
| 25. |
Wipe down metal objects and tools with
a little oil before storing to avoid rust
formation. |
| 26. |
You can tie tools and long-handled items
in bundles. Don't store a brush resting
on the bristles. |
| 27. |
Don't store vacuum cleaners with the bag
in - throw it away before you store them
in the facility. |
| 28. |
Treat leather items with a leather conditioner
before you store them. |
| 29. |
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. |
| 30. |
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 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. |
| |
| 31. |
There is one thing to remember when organizing
your self-storage unit. 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. |
| 32. |
Depending on items stored it may be prudent
to put down protective sheeting or boarding.
|
| 33. |
If you are storing heavy items or boxes
you may need mobile stairs, forklifts or
other machinery (ask for details) |
| 34. |
Store your largest items first. |
| 35. |
Stack boxes and similarly sized items
together to save space. |
| 36. |
Try not to lean furniture against outside
walls. |
| 37. |
If you're storing metal objects avoid
resting them against items that can be damaged. |
| 38. |
Try to assess what you'll need to access
frequently and keep it at the front of your
unit. |
| 39. |
Fill anything that's hollow - i.e. wardrobes,
drawers, washing machines and fridges with
small boxes and other items to maximize
your available space. |
| 40. |
Make sure to stack boxes and containers
so that you can see the labels you put on
them. |
| 41. |
Wedge the doors of all kitchen appliances
whilst in the facility open to avoid bad
odours and mildew etc., building up. |
| 42. |
Don't store anything in the facility
that you're not sure is sturdy vertically
- if it seems wobbly store it horizontally.
|
| 43. |
If you have concerns about the atmosphere
and the environment within the container
due to the nature of the items being stored
don’t hesitate to ask for our qualified
advice. |
| 44. |
We would recommend that you remove the
batteries from all Battery operated appliances
and toys to avoid damage from leaking batteries
and to prevent damage to the toys. |
Not
in your garage.