If you expect your furniture and other household belongings to come out of storage in the same condition that they were in before you stored them there are some tips to follow. The professionals all agree on one thing, if your possessions are properly prepared and packed for storage there should be no problem, even if you intend to leave them in the storage facility for the long term.

What Is Important to Consider When Choosing a Facility for Furniture Storage?

  • Check the condition of the storage units at the facility of your choice. If there is any sign of damp damage to the walls or in any other part of the storage unit, look for another facility. A further red flag would be if the facility looks dirty and unkempt with the yard overgrown with weeds and generally in disrepair. This would indicate that the facility is not well managed and would not inspire any confidence that your goods would be safe there.
  • Make sure that the facility offers top security measures to ensure your goods’ safety because theft is the biggest concern when arranging furniture storage. Does it offer 24 hour CCTV surveillance which will allow for identification of any suspicious activities in the facility?
    Is there adequate lighting in the walkways and surrounding areas? A well lit facility will discourage intruders as well as offer protection to employees and renters.
    Does it restrict access with the use of PIN codes at entry gates? There needs to be a limit to who can access the facility to keep out unwanted visitors.
  • Facilities such as Stop & Store Lowestoft offer important extra touches such as having moving supplies like stacking boxes and packaging materials available to purchase to make your packing easier. Look for a facility that offer easy loading and off loading of your goods, and if there is a trolley or even a pair of dolly wheels that you can make use of.
  • Is it easy to hire a unit? Some facilities offer the entire booking and paying system online so that you need have no face-to-face contact which is important in these times of Covid.
    Look for quality customer service where all your questions are answered by professional and friendly staff.
    Long opening hours will help you when you need to fetch something from your unit or add items to it and this has to happen after hours.
  • If you have specialist items to store make sure that the facility offers you the right amenities. Check the list of restricted items if you have any doubts about items that you wish to store.

Preparing Your Furniture and Other Belongings for Storage

As previously stated, you want to make sure that furniture and other possessions come out of storage in the same condition as they went in.

  • Moisture is the enemy of wooden furniture, leather, any appliances and electrical equipment, clothing and of course any books, photographs, or paper documents. So before packing up any of your goods for storage, make sure that everything is dry. This will avoid any condensation and damp build up which can lead to mildew and mould, both of which will damage and destroy your possessions.
  • Remember to defrost fridges and freezers before moving them into your storage unit and make sure that they are cleaned with all the water in the pipes removed as either of these appliances can leak a lot of water if the ice is not completely thawed out. By keeping their doors ajar when you put them into the unit will prevent that mouldy smell from developing.
    Drain washing machines and dishwashers properly before putting them in storage.
  • If you have to move in the rain or even the snow, cover your goods with an extra layer that you can remove once you get your stuff into the storage unit. Remove these damp covers from the storage unit to ensure that everything you pack away remains is completely dry.
  • There is a good reason why you are not allowed to store any foodstuffs or anything else perishable as these will not only smell really bad when they decompose, but they will also attract vermin and insects which can cause major damage to your things.
  • Vacuum sofas and chairs to remove pet hairs and dust before wrapping them up in dust sheets or blankets. If they are clean when they go into your unit, hopefully they will come out this way. There can be nothing worse than retrieving these items after a good few months only to find they are musty and smelly.
    Use bubble wrap and dust sheets to wrap any valuable items to prevent dents and scuffs.
  • Taking apart those items of furniture that are collapsible will allow you to stack items thus maximizing space.
  • Try to avoid stacking your furniture items one on top of another as this can lead to damaged surfaces. By using cushions and pillows as buffers between furniture pieces when you pack your unit will prevent damage to corners and edges.
  • Sealed plastic boxes will keep moisture out so will keep your books and papers safely. Clothes can be packed in wardrobe boxes or in hanging garment bags.
  • Wrap pictures and mirrors in cardboard to prevent them from being damaged and stack them together to avoid breakages.

Any seasoned storage unit user will tell you how easy it is to lose track of what you have packed away. This is why it is essential to write out detailed labels for each storage box, as well as an inventory sheet of all items you pack into your unit.

Stop & Store Lowestoft

Our facility is proud to tick all the boxes regarding what is important when choosing a storage unit.

We have trolleys available for your use to make this even more convenient for you to make your furniture storage experience simpler.

Check our website for reviews from our clients. We look forward to hearing from you!

Please contact us on 01502 580005

Enquire now at https://www.lowestoftselfstorage.com/