It may have been your decision or you may have been forced to downsize. Maybe you were switching cities. Regardless, you might need temporary storage.
Self-storage units are a great, temporary solution to the problem of not having enough space to put your things. Nevertheless, you cannot just toss your belongings randomly inside a storage unit and expect that everything will work out. You will need to use an affordable, easily accessible storage facility wherever you move.
Ensure that your possessions are well-protected before you store them so that when the time comes to need them again, they will still look nice. You can ensure your things are well protected from the elements and the passage of time if you follow these tips for packing things for storage.
1. Determine What Items To Store
- If you are planning on storing specific household items for some time, it implies that you don’t need those items right now, but may need them shortly. Furthermore, there isn’t enough space in the house to keep them.
- Don’t pack for storage anything you won’t need again. You’ll need to pay more money for a larger storage unit if you intend to store more items.
- Pack your things for storage only after you have carefully examined them. An item should not be kept if it isn’t sentimental, valuable, or useful.
2. Creating A Stock List
Your items should be packed for long-term or short-term storage by now, depending on your needs.
- Amidst a stressful and chaotic house move, it’s easy to forget what you have in the storage space. Therefore, make a detailed list of everything you plan to store.
- The master contents list should be copied a few times and stored in various safe locations. It should be available online as an electronic copy for quick reference.
- Your possessions may have been damaged by a natural disaster if you have a detailed inventory listing. An insurance claim could be filed using the contents list, in that case.
3. Invest In Proper Containers For Storage
- If you want your things to last for longer, buy new, strong cardboard boxes. The boxes should be similar in size – they should be easy to stack so that the vertical storage space can be used as well.
- Make sure that the cardboard containers you plan to use are in good condition. Dry and sturdy storage boxes must be free of signs of infestation.
- To store your things, try to use strong plastic bins whenever possible. Boxes made of this material typically cost more than boxes made from cardboard, but they are much more durable and provide much better protection.
- Avoid packing your items in plastic bags. Mold and mildew grow on plastic over time because it traps moisture.
4. You Should Never Store Hazardous Materials
Public storage places have restrictions on what types of items you can and cannot store. Know this before you begin packing items for storage.
- Keep in mind that dangerous items can’t be stored. Perishable items are also a no-no because they can cause a lot of problems.
- Prepare the storage area by checking the prohibited items list. We recommend that you do not bring: flammable, corrosive, explosive, scented, or wet items.
- Things that are very valuable to you and have sentimental value should not be packed for storage. These items should be kept in your home at all times.
5. Organize Items For Storage
The best preparation for storage comes before you begin packing.
- To prevent the buildup of musty smells in your storage unit, clean every item thoroughly before putting it in. It is especially important to wipe down appliances and furniture with a cleaning spray or disinfectant wipe. Moisten the furniture with a vacuum before cleaning it.
- Before you pack anything up, ensure it’s completely dry. Mildew can easily be spread to other items in storage if you pack things that are not completely dry.
- If you’re packing and storing leather furniture and other items, you should use a leather conditioner.
- Consider separating large furniture such as beds, dressers, and tables so that they can better pack and protect their individual parts.
6. Pack Clothes For Storage
Discover how you can pack your clothes for storage. Clothing is typically placed in storage, particularly when it comes to seasonal clothing.
- Clothing should be stored in hanging garment bags or in wardrobe boxes. In this way, they will not get wrinkled, dusty, or damaged by mold.
- Use vacuum-sealed bags to pack and store your more voluminous pieces of clothing such as thick winter jackets and coats. Besides offering good overall protection, vacuum bags will also shrink the volume of your clothes, bedding, and draperies – exactly what you’ll need when packing items for storage.
7. Prepare Your Furniture For Storage
Here are some pieces of advice on how to pack furniture for storage:
- Using a suitable furniture cleaner, clean all surfaces.
- For larger pieces of furniture, consider disassembling them to better protect their individual parts. Tape the sealable plastic bags to the desired furniture pieces to hold small fastening elements.
- Cover or bubble wrap furniture legs to prevent damage. If your furniture has extra-fragile areas, cut out thick cardboard to protect them.
- Dust and scratches can be prevented by wrapping furniture pieces in thick blankets.
- You can store furniture in or around the space around it. Utilize the available storage space by packing smaller items into drawers, dressers, and wardrobes.
8. Pack Books For Storage
Moving between two homes may require storage of books, among other household items. Packing books for storage is as follows:
- Your books should be completely dry before storing them. Leave copies in a sunny room for a few days to dry or put them on a humidifier if you’re concerned they might not be 100% dry.
- Pack leather-bound books and valuable books in soft packing paper first for extra protection.
- You can prevent damage to your books’ spines by arranging them flat within boxes.
- Bookcases can easily be too heavy to handle, so use small cardboard boxes instead.
- Ensure that all boxes with books are well taped so dust and moisture cannot enter.
9. Protect Fragile Items During Storage
When packing fragile items for a move, a single mistake could result in your breakables getting damaged. Packing is imperative for a variety of delicate items in a house, including dishes and glasses.
What is the best way to pack fragile items for storage?
- Each fragile item should be wrapped in bubble wrap first, then in packing paper. This is by far the best method of packaging fragile items.
- Extra bubble wrap can be used to protect highly delicate parts, such as wine glasses and champagne glasses. Bubbles are still unmatched when it comes to protecting easily breakable things.
- Line the bottom of each box with enough padding that will serve as a shock absorber – crumpled paper, bubble wrap, and soft fabrics can all do the job well.
- Fill in any gaps with crumpled paper or other fillers.
- Mark all boxes that contain highly breakable items as fragile.
10. Provide A Proper Label For Each Box
- If you are packing your things for storage, label every box. It will save you time if you label your storage boxes because you will not have to open random boxes to find your item items.
- The easiest way to do this is to write down the contents of each box at least twice on each side. Mark any additional important details with a red pen, for example, to make them stand out.
It is essential to pack your storage unit properly after putting so much time and effort into packing your items for storage. To ensure that your belongings are in good hands, you should follow these rules:
- Make sure there is a bit of space between the walls and the items that you are storing to allow air to circulate and prevent the formation of mold.
- Be sure there is access to your items when you need them through a passageway in the middle of the unit.
- The boxes should be identical or similar sizes. However, the largest, heaviest box should be at the bottom.
- Make sure that all cardboard boxes are positioned so that their labels can be seen clearly from the walkway.
- You should pack all the items that you will need soon near the storage unit’s entrance.
FAQs – Packing Household Things for Storage:
What factors might necessitate the need for temporary storage of household items?
Temporary storage may become necessary due to downsizing, relocation, or lack of sufficient space in the current living environment.
How should one determine which items to store?
Items for storage should be carefully selected based on their sentimental value, utility, and necessity. Avoid storing items that won’t be needed in the foreseeable future to minimize storage costs.
What is the importance of creating a stock list before packing for storage?
A detailed inventory helps keep track of stored items, facilitates insurance claims in case of damage or loss, and ensures organized retrieval when needed.
What types of containers are recommended for packing items for storage?
Strong cardboard boxes or sturdy plastic bins are ideal for packing items for storage. Plastic bags should be avoided to prevent mold and mildew growth.
How should fragile items be packed for storage to prevent damage?
Fragile items should be wrapped in bubble wrap and packing paper, placed in well-padded boxes, and labeled as fragile to ensure proper handling and protection.
What should one consider when organizing items for storage within a storage unit?
Adequate space between items to allow for air circulation, accessibility of items when needed, uniformity in box sizes, and strategic placement of frequently accessed items near the unit entrance are essential considerations.
