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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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