Self Storage Packing Tips

Tips and Tools:

No matter what you’re sending to storage, it is important to pack correctly. When you pack correctly, you save space, have an easier time locating single objects, and ensure that your special objects don’t get broken or ruined. When you consider packing for storage, use the same techniques that you would if you were packing a moving van.

To pack correctly, all you need to do is think ahead. These tips will help you do that.

Boxes

• Same-sized boxes stack easier.
• If you’re packing books, make sure to pack them in small boxes. They’re easier to carry.
• If you can’t fill a box completely, fill it with bubble wrap or packing material. If you find you need packing material, most Next Door Self Storage facilities sell packing supplies in the office.
• Never pack a box so large that you can’t easily move it.
• Use wardrobe boxes for clothing, picture/mirror boxes for artwork and dish boxes for your dishes. Using the correct packing materials helps your items stay in pristine condition.

Other Materials

• Plastic bags trap moisture and can lead to mildew problems. Find other packing solutions.
• Put masking tape x’s across the face of mirrors or glass-covered art to keep glass from breaking.
• Wash, dry and iron or neatly fold all clothing and cloth goods. You’ll be glad you’ve prepared them properly when you take them out of the box at the beginning of the next season.
• Carefully dry all metal items and make sure no containers are filled with water. You want to protect metal objects from rust.
• Polish your wood and cover or wrap furniture the same way you would if you were transporting items in a moving van. This protects your furniture from moving stress and from the elements.
• Treat leather items with a conditioner before storing them.

Packing Strategies

• Don’t mix seasonal items when packing. If you want your skis in the winter and your camping equipment in the summer, don’t pack them together. It will be easier to take items out of storage if you don’t have to open boxes at the facility.
• Disassemble any furniture that can be disassembled. It takes less room in your unit and makes items easier to store.
• Don’t pack your moving van or storage unit too tightly or put heavy items on top of lighter ones.
• Make sure to pack your truck or moving van backwards. Pack the items that you want to put in the back of unit in the front of your van. That way when you unload the van, you can move items directly into the storage unit.

Storage Strategies

• Make sure you’ve got room to store your mirrors and artwork vertically. They can break if you stack them flat.
• Label your boxes on all sides clearly, in permanent marker, with description names and a number. If an item is fragile, write that on the box. Take the time to create a finding aid for you packed items and keep this list at home. When you need to retrieve an item, all you have to do is look the item up and retrieve that particular box.
• Guard valuable items by placing them behind less valuable items. Leave value descriptions off your exterior box labels.
• Make sure to have a little excess room in your storage unit. When you pack your storage unit, make sure to leave room between the walls and boxes for ventilation and between boxes, so you can walk between the rows of boxes.
• Make sure to put items you will use frequently closer to the entrance of your unit.

Always remember, preplanning is the key to smart storage. Determine what order you want to store your boxes in before you get to your unit.