What comes to mind when you think of a packed self storage unit? If you plan to get the most out of your unit, it needs to be packed according to a plan so that your goods are well organised and easy to access when you need something. What you don’t want is for your storage unit to look like a disaster area, with bulging garbage bags stacked haphazardly, boxes of every shape and size packed with a mish-mash of your belongings, and stuff scattered around on the floor, nothing labelled, making it impossible to find anything that you may need in a hurry.
Choose a reputable self storage facility that has clean surroundings and looks well looked after. This will give you the peace of mind that your goods will be safe while they are in storage. You will also feel comfortable and safe when you visit the facility to fetch anything or even when you need to spend time there organising your stuff.
How To Ensure Your Goods are Kept Without Harm Whilst They are in Storage
Minimising the risk of damage to your belongings is essential if you plan on storing your items for any length of time. There are three common causes of damage to your items, and these include
- Poor packing techniques which can result in breakages, your furniture getting scratched and dented, and your stuffed furniture such as your mattresses and sofas losing shape due to bad packing.
- Mould and mildew forming which can cause permanent damage to your furniture as it will corrode wooden and metal items.
- Any pests, rodents or insects which find their way into your self storage unit can cause major damage to your belongings.
It may seem like a cliché, but one of the best tips we can give you is to take the time and trouble to prepare your items for storage, and then to make sure that they are packed using plenty bubble wrap and padding materials. The other piece of advice we can give is to make sure when you unpack them into your storage unit, you take care how your boxes are arranged and stacked.
By making sure that everything you pack is clean and dry before placing it in your boxes and then into your unit will go a long way to protecting your goods.
Pack Like a Pro
- Your choice of packaging supplies, from the types of boxes you use to the type of wrapping materials you choose, can make the difference in whether your goods will remain in good condition, or whether you will find them broken and damaged after their time in storage.
- Clear plastic boxes are great if you need to find anything, but cardboard boxes are just as good and much cheaper. Use ink free news print instead of old newspapers to wrap items. Newsprint will stain your stuff, and you will need to wash everything again when you unpack.
- Use towels, linen, and duvets to wrap items that need extra padding. Old sheets and curtains are ideal for protecting your wood or upholstered furniture as they allow the wood to breathe. Wrapping these items in plastic will trap moisture against furniture, causing mould and mildew which can cause irreparable damage to these items.
- Label every box in detail, namely what its contents are, as well as the room it comes from, to make unpacking easier.
Packing Your Storage Unit
- Give your storage unit a thorough clean before you begin to pack your stuff in. Cover the floor with a tarpaulin or lay down pallets on which to stack your boxes. This will encourage air flow thus minimizing the risk of moisture forming.
- Make use of the vertical space of your unit by installing temporary shelving. When stacking boxes, remember to put the heavier ones at the bottom with the lighter ones on top.
- Disassemble furniture where possible as this can save you loads of space. Pack pillows and cushions between furniture items to prevent your furniture getting scratched and dented when it is moved around. Tape table legs and bed legs to their corresponding furniture piece so that they do not get lost.
- If you are moving house and you need storage for your goods, try and keep boxes from each room together when packing them in your storage unit. This will make it much easier if you need to locate something in a hurry, and it will also make it easier when you unpack into your new home.
- Give yourself enough space to move around your unit by leaving a passage in the middle. Leave the area around the door clear – there is nothing worse than a unit packed to the rafters and when the door is opened, boxes and packages come tumbling out.
- Take pictures of your storage unit when it is packed as this can help you locate something if you need to.
- Drawing a map of where everything is in your unit will make it really easy to locate something in a hurry. This is especially useful if you need to access your belongings stored in the unit often.
- Ask your storage provider about insuring your goods while they are in storage.
Stop & Store Lowestoft
Hopefully you will find this information useful. We can help you get the most out of your self storage unit, but it all starts with the way you pack and how you organise your unit so that is in your control.
There are certain aspects that we are in control of to ensure that your goods are kept securely for as long as is needed.
- Security is a big issue with us. What we offer is CCTV that is monitored 24/7. Our perimeter is secured and well lit.
- Access is strictly controlled so no one who shouldn’t be there has access.
- Our booking system is simple and paper free. Book, pay and we will send you your individual PIN access code. Once you have this code you are free to access your unit immediately.
- We have many different sizes of units available, so there is on that will suit you.
- We don’t tie you into a lengthy contract. So whether you need short or long term storage we can assist you.
- Please check our website for references from our customers.
Please contact us on 01502 580005 for more information. We look forward to hearing from you.
Website: https://lowestoftselfstorage.com/