Preparing goods for storage

• Blankets, Draperies and Clothing
  Have blankets, draperies and out-of-season clothing cleaned, then pack them right on the hanger in a wardrobe box. 

• Books
  Pack them flat, not standing on end (which may cause damage to the spines). Books are extremely heavy, so don't pack too many in one box or mix them with fragile items. 

• Lawn Mowers
  Drain gasoline and oil from all small engines. 

• Mirrors and Pictures
  Large works should be stored in specially designed boxes. Smaller pictures can be wrapped in bubble wrap or packing paper and stored in boxes with clothing or linens. 

• Leather (couches, clothes)
  Treat with a leather conditioner and protect them with plastic covers. Keep the couch off the floor using pallets. (thanks to The Leatherworks Inc. of Stockton for the tip) 

• Mattresses
  Protect them and your furniture with specially designed plastic covers. 

• Furniture and Tables
  Remove legs and disassemble to conserve storage space. Wrap with furniture pads to protect from soil and scratches. Wrap the legs together with packing paper and, if possible, tape them to the protective wrap placed around the corresponding item. 

• Photos
  Old photographs tend to curl over time. To keep them flat, place them between two pieces of cardboard and tape them together. Do not store irreplaceable photos. Negatives take up little space. Consider keeping them with you.

Things to do before storing:

• Make a list of all the packing supplies you will need. Such as boxes, tape, bubble wrap, marking pens, rope, and pallets.

• Visit the facility that you want to store your items. Take a list of what you are going to be storing so that the manager can help you determine the correct size for your needs.

• Schedule your mover 30-45 days in advance.

• Be sure to read the lease before signing it. Make sure you are aware of company policies on moving out, paying the rent, and other important information.

• If you are using a moving company, find out what size truck they will be using. This is valuable in determining if your unit will be accessible to that truck. Most moving companies charge more the farther they have to carry your things.

How to organize your storage room

• Leave a few inches of space between your items and the wall for better ventilation. 

• We have pallets available for customers to use in their unit for ventilation underneath their goods. 

• Gather the things you are least likely to need during the time you are storing your belongings. Place these things in the room first.

• Store heaviest items on the bottom and lighter items on the top. Place cartons so that you can read the label which lists their contents. 

• Place the things you are most likely to need closest to the door for easy access. 

• Securely latch and lock the door to your storage room when leaving.

Do:

• Use pallets, 2 x 4's, plywood, anything that will keep your items off the floor of the unit.

• Utilize all the space in your unit. Make a plan as to how you are going to arrange your items. A good plan will save you the time of having to rearrange your unit. Leave an aisle in the center of your unit so that you have a walk way to the back of the unit.

• Use freestanding shelves to help organize your unit.

• Label the boxes on all six sides and keep a list for easy reference. This will save you time if you have to look for something in particular. When packing boxes, fill them without making them too heavy to lift. Always put the heavier boxes on the bottom and the lighter ones on top of the heavier ones. This will prevent boxes from being crushed. Keep boxes off the floor.

• Be sure to store frequently used items at the front of the unit to avoid having to search for them.

• To protect your items cover them with moving pads, sheets, or light blankets.

• Be sure to check your unit once a month.

• Disassemble items such as tables and bed frames. (This will save space.) Wrap and label all pieces for an easier time when you have to reassemble them. Put all hardware in bags and mark the bags accordingly.

• When you disassemble electronics, such as computers, stereos, things that have numerous cords, place small colored stickers on the cord and the same color sticker where the cord goes. This will save you the hassle of trying to figure out what goes where when it comes time to reassemble your electronics. If possible, use the original boxes to store your electronics and other items.

• Make sure that all appliances are clean and dry before storing them. Leave appliances slightly ajar to prevent mildew.

• If it is possible store couches on end. Stack chairs seat to seat. Use the inside of appliances and drawers to store smaller items. When stacking furniture use paper pads in between the items to avoid scratching.

• Store mirrors and paintings on end, not flat.

• To prevent rusting rub a small amount of machine oil on metal tools, bicycles, and equipment. Drain and clean all debris from all equipment before you store them.

• When wrapping collectibles or anything breakable, tape it after you wrap it. This should avoid mistaking them for excess paper to fill the box. Use bubble wrap or unprinted paper to wrap breakables. Group similar items together and mark the boxes accordingly.

• Clothing and draperies should be stored in wardrobe boxes, on hangers, to retain their original shapes.

• Purchase the insurance. If your belongings are worth storing, they are worth insuring.

• Rubbermaid containers are great to store your items. They have tight fitting lids and stack easily. Keep the more valuable items in the rear of the unit. This will prevent others from seeing them when you are in your unit.

• Keep out of season clothes accessible, you may have your belongings in storage longer than anticipated.

• Be aware of your surroundings when you are in your unit. If you see a potential problem or anything suspicious, alert the manager.

Do NOT:

• Do not use plastic to cover your belongings. It retains moisture.

• Do not store any food items.

• Do not pack your boxes so that they are too heavy to carry them, especially when you are packing books.

• Do not assume that your homeowners or renters insurance will cover your belongings while in storage. Purchase the insurance.

• Do not give out your password, gate code or any information to anyone.

• Do not use printed newspaper. The ink may smudge and get on your items.

• Do not forget to clean appliances before you store them.

• Do not store any toxins or flammables, such as paint, oil, or gasoline.