10 useful storage tips to protect your belongings and keep you happy!
1. Make a Plan
The first thing you should do after you rent your unit is to make a plan! Create a list of everything you’re putting in storage and map it out. That way, you’ll know where everything is, and you won’t have to spend time rummaging through boxes.
2. Labeling
Labeling your items clearly allows for easy retrieval.
3. Pack Fragile Items Carefully You’ll want to be super careful when packing fragile items. You don’t want your wedding china to get damaged or break while in storage. In order to keep these items safe, make sure to wrap them with bubble wrap or plastic and pad the boxes with packing paper.
Pro tip: use your towels and sheets to wrap any fragile items. This will save space and protect your belongings.
4. Put Heavy Items in Small Boxes There’s nothing worse than a box so heavy you can’t move it. That’s why it’s a good idea to put all your heavy items in small boxes. Minimize the weight per box and fill up those large boxes with your lighter items.
5. Clean Your ItemsWipe off appliances and electronics. You should also always clean your mattress before putting it in storage. Spread baking soda on your mattress, vacuum it up, and make sure it completely dries out before storing.
6. Make sure items are dry prior to storing
Moisture means mildew and mold. So, make sure anything you plan to store, including any watercraft, water gear, or recently washed clothing are completely dry before putting them in storage. Adding silica gel desiccant packets to humidity-sensitive items will go a long way to keep them protected for a long time.
***If you are storing a refrigerator and/or freezer, you must fully defrost, properly clean/sanitize, and air out appliances prior to storage. Dirty appliances with food remnants stuck on them will attract vermin and cause odor/rot.
7. Disassemble Furniture
It’s a great idea to disassemble any furniture before storing it. For all the furniture you can’t take apart, save space by putting boxes in cabinets or even filling drawers. (Just make sure you take the drawers out if it gets too heavy to move!) Use a dolly to move large/heavy objects.
8. Stack it Up Make the most of your storage unit’s vertical space, too. When stacking your belongings, don’t forget to put heavy items and boxes on the bottom and smaller/lighter cardboard boxes on top. We don’t want any falling boxes!
Pro tip: for proper air circulation, put down wooden pallets to keep your items off the floor.
9. Leave an Aisle
When you’re organizing your storage unit, don’t forget to make an aisle to the back. That way you can easily access all your items.
Pro tip: pack the items you’ll need most often toward the front.
10. You Can Store Almost Anything This may go without saying, but don’t store any prohibited items in your storage unit. This includes perishables, live plants, flammable or toxic materials. --Absolutely no food of any kind!
Prohibited Items
-Anything that has been stolen or is illegal.
-Flammable items (gas, fireworks, propane, explosives, etc...)
-Any type of food or perishable. This will attract vermin. (Spices, dog/cat food, bird seed, grain, etc...)
***If you are storing a refrigerator and/or freezer, you must fully
defrost, properly clean/sanitize, and air out appliances prior to bringing items
in leased space.
-Pets/any living animals, plants, etc...
-Odor causing material such as mothballs, etc...
-Items that may leak and/or cause damage to leased space, other tenants property, or storage facility.
Use of Leased Space
Your leased space is for storing legal, non-perishable, non-flammable, clean/boxed items.
No sleeping allowed in leased space.
Secure
your unit with a disc lock and store items in a box (we recommend using
totes with locking lid).
*Disclaimer: SSS is not responsible for items you do not
secure.
Do not make any alterations to your leased unit without prior written consent.
