Quick Tips For Effective Self Storage Unit Usage

Moving items into a self storage unit should be no different than when you are actually moving. They need to packaged correctly and arranged in a way that ensures all of the contents are completely safe over a long period of time. Even in a climate controlled self storage unit, if you pack your belongings incorrectly, they could become damaged over time. Here are some quick tips to make the usage of your self storage unit more effective and safe.

1. General Packing Tips

It is important to use the correct packing accessories to store all of your items safely over a long period of time. This may include: cartons, boxes, bubble wrap, and even plastic covers. Make sure that when packing cartons or boxes that they are filled completely. If boxes are not completely filled, there is a much higher risk that over time they will bend, tip, or collapse which can damage whatever is in them. Additionally, labeling all of your boxes and cartons can save a lot time later on, if you need to search for a few particular items.

2. Furniture

Whenever you store furniture, make sure that they are completely empty of all of their contents. Otherwise there is a greater chance that they may become warped because of the additional weight. Additionally, if you can remove pieces, such as the legs of table, it can help to save space. Finally, make sure that everything is cleaned before putting it in a self storage unit. This will further prevent the chance of mold, bacteria, or attracting vermin.

3. Dishes, Glassware, Mirrors, Paintings, Etc

As with all fragile items, it is important to take additional care when packing them for a self storage unit. Make sure that they all completely covered in additional packaging material such as bubble wrap. Additionally, it is important to fill in any gaps or spaces within the boxes to help prevent them from shifting. Additionally, it is important to stack your fragile items on top of more stable items. If you stack other boxes on your fragile items, there is a much higher chance that the boxes could stumble over as time passes. The boxes could also slowly compress because the fragile items, such as dishes, can not sustain the weight.

4. Electronics

Electronics need to be given additional care when storing them in a self storage unit. Ideally, you can use the original boxes that they came in, however most people do not save these. The best alternative is to wrap all of the electronics in bubble wrap and store them in a correctly proportioned box. Additionally, it is important to fill in any additional spaces to ensure that your electronics do not get poked or prodded in the event the boxes slowly collapse over time. Additionally, if any of the electronics have batteries in them, make sure that they are removed before storing them. Otherwise the batteries can leak acid and destroy all surrounding electronics and other items.

By following these simple tips, your self storage unit will be more effectively able to protect your goods over a long period of time. Many people overlook the importance of protecting their goods correctly. However, it is more important to pack correctly when moving items into a self storage unit than when you are moving from one residence to another. Items in storage units could be there for years, whereas when changing residences, items will only be packed for a few days.