See how to pack and stack when moving personal belongings into a storage unit.
Storage units are convenient when space at home runs short or you need to move out of one home before you can get into the next one. If you’re packing belongings to go into one of the nation’s 23 million storage units, here are tips to keep your things safe and organized, as well as how to optimize stacking items in storage.
Consider if storage is long or short term
When storing items, consider the cost of the item versus the cost of storage space. The longer you store an item, the more it costs. For duplicate items and those that can easily be replaced, it may be best to sell or give them away so you can save money.
What to do with fridges and freezers
When storing a refrigerator or freezer, clean it out and keep the doors open. A small cardboard box or similar item is all that’s needed to prop the doors open and keep your fridge or freezer from becoming smelly while stored.
Orient items the way they’re used
You’re more likely to find your items in tip-top shape after moving, storage and moving again if you pack them in the orientation in which they’re used. For example, drinking glasses packed on their sides are more likely to break than those packed upright.
Only pack clean, dry items
Dirty or wet items can turn one or more of your stored boxes into an ugly mess of mold and mildew. Make sure everything is clean and dry before it goes into storage.
Hanging clothes
Many clothes— like t-shirts, socks, jeans and undies—do just fine when folded and packed into bins. However, garments like tailored suits, jackets, dresses and coats are better stored in wardrobe boxes. These are cardboard storage/moving boxes with a metal hanging rod that allows garments to remain on their hangers and wrinkle-free.
Also, if you’re a collector of vintage clothing, wardrobe boxes can help protect delicate textiles.
Use plenty of padding
Bubble wrap is an excellent padding material, especially for delicate or fragile items. However, if you’re packing up a whole house, lots of other items can be used for padding. If possible, wrap items with soft materials from the same room. Like, protecting living room lamps with throw blankets. If needed, fill in gaps with throw pillows.
Label your boxes
You probably already plan to label your boxes but go beyond a simple room label. Name the category of items in the box too. More descriptive labels such as “Office—books” or “Bedroom—shoes” will help you quickly locate what you want later.
Protect mattresses
When you buy packing materials, don’t forget plastic covers for mattresses and box springs. Inexpensive plastic covers go a long way to protecting bedding from the grime found on the floors of moving trucks and storage unit floors.
Specialty treatment for specialty items
Some things like heirlooms, antiques, artwork and collectibles need special care. Check requirements for temperature and humidity for specialty items to make sure storage conditions match their needs. Climate-controlled storage may be the best choice.
What shouldn’t go in a storage unit
While storage is good for many things, there are few things that should not go into storage. This includes:
- Flammable items (fuel, lithium batteries, ammunition, solvents or fireworks)
- Perishables (food for people or pets)
- Chemicals and toxic materials (cleaning supplies, weed killers, fertilizers and pool chemicals)
- Radioactive material (some clocks and smoke detectors)
- Live animals or plants
- High-value items (cash, jewelry or coin collections)
- Important documents (birth certificates, social security cards, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, mortgage documents, property deeds, vehicle titles and wills)
If the storage facility allows storage of equipment like lawn mowers or chainsaws, be sure to remove all fuel and oil first.
Stacking your items
When moving belongings into a storage unit, build a foundation with the heaviest, bulkiest items on the bottom. Stack smaller, lighter items above.
Protect the surfaces of items like tables with moving blankets or clean cardboard before stacking items on top.
Use your space strategically:
- Store long items like sofas, bed frames or curtain rods vertically
- Fill in gaps, like those under chairs, with soft items packed in shopping bags that conform to the space
Keeping similar-sized items together helps build steadier stacks.
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