Self storage is the way to go when you need a place to keep your belongings safely for a few weeks or longer. It is the ideal solution for those times when you need to free up space at home, or if you are moving home.

It needs to be approached correctly though if you want your belongings to survive their time in a storage unit. Your belongings need to be packed up properly, both at home and also in your storage unit. You want to protect your belongings while making the most of the space that your self storage unit offers when packing for self storage.

Here are some dos and don’ts that will ensure your possessions are packed in such a way that they endure their time in a storage unit and come out unscathed at the end.

  1. Choose a reliable self storage facility.

    By storing your belongings you are placing your trust in a company that will take every precaution to ensure the safety of your goods. Read customer reviews and experiences to check their track record. Choose a company that you are referred to by family or friends. It is not advisable to go solely on price. The cheapest option may lack some of the basics that will ensure the safety of your goods. Check out things like the security options that are in place and carry out a site visit to check on the general appearance of the facility.

    Choose a facility that is convenient for you to access if you intend to use it to store items that you will need to access regularly.

  2. Take an inventory of what you plan to store.

    This will help you determine which sized unit will suit you best. It will also help you stay organized as you can plan where to place items in your unit.

    Once you have chosen a self storage facility you need to pack up your goods. When packing for self storage, by following a plan you will be able to make the most of the space available in your storage unit without damaging your belongings during the process.

  • Don’t be a random, unorganised packer.
    Packing up your goods haphazardly will present a challenge to you if you need to find something while your goods are in storage. You will struggle while unpacking too; you will not know which room in the house the box belongs to. This will make the move even more stressful than it should be. Rather than mixing random items together, stick to a plan by keeping the goods from your kitchen together and not mixing them up with your bathroom stuff for example.Pack heavier items at the bottom of the box and fill up with smaller items. Don’t make your boxes too heavy as you will have a problem lifting them.
  • Do use good quality boxes for your packing
    If using cardboard boxes, use new cardboard boxes. Choosing boxes the same size will help with stacking and will save space. The heaviest boxes must always be at the bottom of the stack, with the lighter ones on top.Secondhand boxes from the grocery store are not as strong as new ones and may fall apart. But worse than this is that they may harbour insect eggs from carrying food items. These eggs are likely to hatch out in the dark conditions of your storage unit and insects such as moths will wreck your clothing, books, paperwork, and other items.
  • Don’t be tempted to pack every box to capacity as overloaded boxes are difficult to stack and may topple over causing damage to your belongings. Leaving empty spaces in your boxes is also not a good idea as items can shift around during the move and break. Fill these spaces with linen, clothing, or any small items which will help cushion your belongings and keep them firmly in place.
  • Do label your boxes
    This cannot be emphasized enough. Labeling your boxes in detail will save you an enormous amount of time and frustration later. Put as much detail as possible on the labels, for example, which family member the clothes belong to, or whether they are summer or winter clothes. Add which room the box is from to assist with unpacking at the other end of the process.Pack glassware, crockery, and other fragile items carefully by wrapping them in bubble wrap. Mark these boxes as fragile so that they don’t land up at the bottom of a stack.
  • Don’t pack dirty or damp clothes or upholstered furniture items. These will act as a breeding ground for mold and mildew which will damage your furniture and other belongings. Dirt and any food residue will act as a magnet for insects and other pests such as rodents. Once they have accessed your unit and they have food, they will breed and cause havoc amongst your belongings and destroy them.
  • Do disassemble any furniture pieces that you can.
    This will save space in your storage unit and serve to protect those furniture pieces. Wrap any furniture in blankets or sheets and use pillows in between pieces to act as a cushion and prevent scratches and dents.

Prepare your self storage unit by sweeping it out before you bring your belongings. Place a tarpaulin on the floor of the unit to keep any dampness at bay or place your goods on pallets. Both these measures will help with air circulation which will control the humidity and dampness. 

Pack large bulky items such as fridges and appliances at the back of your unit. Leave an aisle down the middle to make access easier for you.

Place those items that you may need access to during their storage, at the front of the unit.

Use the wall space to erect temporary shelving which will add extra storage space.

Using the same-sized boxes when you pack will mean you will be able to stack them safely and ensure that they do not topple over.

Stop & Store Lowestoft Self Storage Unit

We are a well-established storage facility with a reputation to match.

Our security measures are second to none, so you need to have no doubts as to the safety of your goods while they are in our care.

Please check our website for reviews left by our customers.

Please contact us on:

Tel: 01502 580005. We are here to discuss your storage requirements.

Website: https://lowestoftselfstorage.com/