Storage Tips
Ready to get the most out of your storage unit?
Check out our storage tips, courtesy of our expert staff. You’ll be storing like a pro in no time!
Preparing For Storage
Setting a simple timeline in the weeks before your move keeps the whole process manageable. Break the work down by room or closet, and set aside a little time each week to clean out, label, and organize one area at a time.
A month or so out is also a good point to sort through your belongings and think about choosing the right size storage unit for what you plan to keep. Before boxing things up, a few extra steps make the process smoother:
- Disassemble larger furniture, such as bed frames and shelving units, so pieces travel and pack more easily.
- Photograph the cable setups behind electronics before disconnecting them, so reassembly is simple later.
- Group items by room or category as you pack, rather than mixing everything together.
As moving day gets closer, a short checklist helps keep loose ends from piling up. Purchase packing supplies and start filling boxes early, submit a change of address, request any school records you need, and take care of dry cleaning or repair pickups in advance. Notify your utility and phone providers of the move, confirm disconnection and hookup dates, and return anything you have borrowed or lent out.
On the day of the move, discard flammable items such as paint or gasoline rather than transporting them, and finish packing everything except what you need that day. Empty and defrost the refrigerator and freezer, strip the beds, and cover mattresses if they are not going directly into storage. Before you leave, turn off the water and lights and lock up.
Protecting Your Items
Taking time to load a self storage unit carefully makes a real difference in how belongings hold up over the long term. Store items you use most often near the front, and leave a center aisle through the middle of the storage unit so anything further back stays reachable. A small gap around the perimeter helps with air circulation, and placing boxes on pallets or boards, rather than directly on the concrete floor of a storage facility, helps keep moisture from seeping in.
Packing materials matter as much as placement inside your storage unit. Boxes made specifically for moving, sealed completely with tape, tend to hold up better than reused containers, and uniform sizes stack more securely; plastic bins are also worth considering if you want to skip the tape altogether.
Fill each box to a moderate, consistent weight —an overpacked box can bulge and become unstable, while an underfilled one may collapse under others stacked on top— and pad any empty space with newsprint, Bubble Wrap, rags, or towels. Keep heavier items, such as books and tools, in smaller boxes, and try to keep every carton under about 30 pounds. Label boxes clearly, mark anything fragile, and keep a written list or set of photos elsewhere for reference. Once you're ready to pack, find a storage location near you to get started.
Certain items call for their own approach:
| Item | How to protect it |
|---|---|
| Dishes and glassware | Wrap each piece individually, cushion with crumpled paper, and stack plates on their edges rather than flat. |
| Mirrors and paintings | Pad well and place in dedicated, clearly marked boxes. |
| Small fragile items | Store in bureau drawers, filling empty space with towels or paper. |
| Upholstered chairs | Wrap legs in packing paper, leave slipcovers on, and add a plastic cover. |
| Lamps | Wrap bases in padding, pack shades separately, and use unprinted paper or Bubble Wrap instead of newsprint. |
| Appliances | Clean and dry fully, secure movable parts, and wedge doors open once in place so air can circulate. |
How To Pack Your Storage Unit
New to storing in a self storage unit? We’ve put together this list of tips and tricks to get you started.
From how to pack your items at home to how to load them efficiently into your storage unit, these self storage tips will help you start storing like a pro in no time.
Find your self storage unit with us now and use our storage tips to have the best experience possible!
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