Storage Guide

Questions about packing or storing your goods in self-storage?
Below is a guide on how to pack and store your goods in your storage shed.  If you have any more queries, feel free to contact us.

couple packing boxes
Packing & Wrapping
  • Proper packing and wrapping of your goods will help protect them whilst in storage. Use plenty of bubble wrap, newspaper or plastic wrap. Use old sheets and towels to cover valuable items that mark easily like tables, chairs and wall units.
  • Fill each box to capacity to prevent collapse. Seal with strong packing tape, label with a description, and number cartons on at least 2 sides.
  • Clean and dry appliances thoroughly. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors slightly ajar. Remove and discard vacuum cleaner bags. Fridges and washing machines can be filled with linen and clothes.
  • Pictures and mirrors should be wrapped in cardboard and marked “FRAGILE” and then stood up straight.. never flat. Run tape in a cross formation across the mirror to help prevent breakage.
  • Wardrobes, cupboards and anything with drawers should be empty for ease of lifting. This also minimises the chance of damage to goods when moving. Once in storage, they can be used for packing space.
  • If the legs on tables can be removed, wrap and store them separately, and stand the tabletop on its side. If not, tables should be stored upside down to protect their legs and structure.
  • Don’t pack items into sealed plastic bags, as humidity can cause mildew. Vacuum-sealed bags are great especially for winter woollens, blankets etc. If storing wool in boxes, use cedar chips or mothballs to prevent moth damage.
  • For upholstered products such as mattresses and sofas, consider investing in covers, bags or sheeting to give them some additional protection. Wherever possible, stand sofas and mattresses on end to save space and don’t stack too much on top of soft furnishings. Mattresses should be stored on the long end and, ideally, raised off the concrete floor.
  • Think hard about whether you really want to store photographs in a self-storage facility. Humidity can cause photographs to curl so if storing loose photographs, place them between pieces of clean cardboard and tape them together to avoid curling. Photographs will suffer temperature damage so you might want to keep them out of storage to avoid losing them.
Packing & Wrapping
  • Lay heavy canvas or padding on the floor if storing anything flat that you don’t want scratched.
  • Store frequently used items at the front of the unit to avoid having to search for them. Also, store valuable items towards the back.
  • Largest items first, heaviest items on the bottom.
  • Leave a small space between the goods stored and the storage unit’s walls to allow for good air circulation.
  • In all but the smallest units, try to create an aisle and leave enough room to be able to get round the back.
What Not To Store
  • No items that are flammable, explosive, illegal or hazadous: eg. petrol, acid, chlorine etc. Also no items that need a controlled environment; eg. paint and oil.
  • No perishables to be stored.
  • It is strongly recommended that anything of great value not be stored in the shed. That antique gold and diamond necklace, for example, may be better off in a safe deposit box.
  • Drain fuel and oil from mowers and all machinery. This reduces the risk of leakage, spillage and damage to other goods in your space. Petrol and oil left in machinery are also a fire hazard.
Security
  • Look into purchasing insurance for your belongings in storage. Do not assume that your homeowner or renter insurance will cover them.
  • When labelling boxes, make no indication where the valuable items are stored. You may need to make yourself a separate list or create a special ‘labelling code’ to help you remember  where they are.
  •  It is advised that you, or someone you know, checks on your goods at least every 3 months.
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