How to Pack a Storage Unit When Moving Between Homes
According to research, there are more storage spaces in the United States than there are McDonald's restaurants. In fact, there are more storage units than MacDonald's and Starbucks coffee shops combined.
Our hoarding tendencies mean that more than half the American population has both a storage unit and a garage.
But, the key to saving space in your unit is packing it the right way.
With this in mind, read this guide on how to pack a storage unit to avoid nasty surprises in the future.
6 Tips on How to Pack a Storage Unit
Here are 6 storage unit tips you should follow:
1. Pack Your Items in Boxes
The key to good storage is to pack all your items in boxes. If you leave loose objects lying around, they'll get damaged. Additionally, they'll cause unnecessary clutter.
Also, try and limit your packing to two different sized boxes. This will make it easier to stack the boxes in your unit.
Avoid plastic bags at all costs. You'll be more likely to lose track of what is going where. Plastic bags aren't the best when it comes to packing breakables.
2. Fill Up All Your Boxes
When you're packing your boxes, use all the space available to you. With that said, don't pack all your heavy items in one box. With this method, you're more likely to break things.
Additionally, don't forget to seal all your boxes with packing tape. This will help keep your items safe from dust and pests.
3. Store Your Appliances in the Correct Way
Before you store a refrigerator, freezer, or washing machine in your storage unit, you need to make sure the door is open. You should also ensure they're completely dry by defrosting them and draining them.
Aside from big water-based appliances, you should also take great care when packing tools. Before storing them, drain any battery or fuel. Also, don't forget to rub them down with oil so that they don't rust.
4. Pallet the Ground
To keep all your items safe from rats, ants, and other critters, you have to plan ahead.
Start by laying out where all your boxes and furniture are going to go before you get started.
Then, give your storage area a thorough clean and arrange pallets to lift all your furniture and boxes off the ground. This space off the ground will help air circulate, thus reducing the chances of mold.
5. Maintain Accessibility in Your Storage Unit
Knowing how to organize a storage unit is important, especially if you plan to access some of the items you're putting away at a later date.
You should stack boxes so that you can access them easily. Also, you should create aisles between your stacks of boxes so you don't have to move everything out of the way when you need to access something.
6. Save Space by Dismantling Furniture
Last but not least, always dismantle large pieces of furniture if you can. If you have to remove nuts and bolts to dismantle your furniture, keep these safe.
Also, make a note of how you dismantle your furniture. If you don't, you may not know how to put it back together when you need it again.
Mistakes to Avoid When Packing your Storage Unit
Aside from the storage unit packing tips above, there are some mistakes you should avoid if you want to cope with the stress of moving. Here are some of them:
Not Giving the Movers Instructions
When you rent a storage space, you must give your movers the correct instructions. This includes giving them a list of the items you'd like to bring as well as instructions on how to get to your unit.
Not only this, some storage areas don't have great parking. With this in mind, make sure you work out all the logistics before your big move.
Moving During the Weekend
People move their items to storage units when they have free time. With this in mind, it makes sense that the busiest times include:
- Weekends
- Holidays
- After work hours
During these hours, the moving process will take more time. If you're paying movers by the hour, you may want to get a day off work and go in the middle of the week to save some money.
Not Taking the Weather Into Account
Humidity can cause mildew. It can damage various items, some of which include:
- Photos
- Furniture
- Electronics
- Artwork
- Upholstery
- Clothes
When choosing a unit and packing your belongings, you have to keep climate changes in mind. This is especially true if you plan to store items for a long period of time.
Not Renting the Right Size Storage Unit
Working out how much storage space you need can be difficult. It's hard to tell how many boxes all your belongings will fit into. And, that's not to mention the bigger pieces of furniture as well.
Before making a final decision, contact your storage facility to know all your options. when booking your unit, ask them if you can rent a second smaller unit for any overflow of items.
Also, the best storage facilities will:
- Keep an inventory of your boxes and various other items
- Pad or wrap your furniture
- Offer property insurance valuation
- Have 24-hour security and fire protection
Not only this, the company should offer flexible storage access as well as various pickup and delivery options.
Get Help From the Experts at Jack Treier Moving & Storage
Following these tips on how to pack a storage unit will help you get ready for your big move. Not only this, they'll help you keep your items safe from pests and mildew.
Also, by packing your items in the right way, you can be sure they'll be in one piece when you move them into their next home.
But, the key to successful storage when you move homes is to choose the right company.
At Jack Treier Moving and Storage we offer clean and affordable facilities to residential customers needing to store items between moves.
If you want to find out more about our services and how we can help you, contact us today.