When you store your household goods long-term in a storage, you want to make sure that your items will store in good condition. Here are some tips and tricks from SmartBox to keep your possessions safe and in good shape when you retrieve your storage items.
List all your items you want to store and their value, and create a map of the unit of where they are placed. Photograph your valuables, fragile items, jewellery and electronics. If you are storing large appliances, add them on your list and note the brand, model and serial number.
If you need to gain access to your items on a regular basis, perhaps an armchair that you need from time-to-time, place it towards the entrance of the storage unit for easier access.
Protect the bottoms of your belongings with blankets, a tarp or even a wooden palette. Line the bottom of boxes for extra protection and insulation, then place heavier items on the base and lighter on the top. Make sure to fill the boxes to full capacity so if many are stacked together, the boxes won’t cave in and damage other items.
There are more options than you may think when it comes to a cardboard box! Investing in brand new, sturdy cardboard boxes will last longer than used boxes that may also run the risk of mould or other pests. You can purchase new boxes here.
You also need to consider the weight of each item. It is going to be tempting to save on the cost of boxes and fill as much as you can into each box. However, making your boxes overly heavy adds risk to your collectibles arriving safely. Packing fragile items into an overly heavy box is going to be difficult to carry. This added weight is then going to increase the risk of dropping boxes, which could damage your priceless items.
Plastic can trap water and humidity is the last thing you want in a long-term space, especially around precious wood belongings. Clean everything before it goes into storage. Scrub down all appliances, clean every plate and make sure every crumb and spill are gone to help reduce mildew, mould or even insects. When putting away your appliances, it is often acknowledged to leave the doors or lids slightly ajar to encourage airflow. This also includes furniture as it should be polished and wiped down to remove any dust and dirt. Sealing the wood with an extra layer of polish before storage will help decrease any chances of mould.
Try to keep space around your items to increase air flow and prevent humidity and moisture. Avoid having furniture such as beds, sofas and cupboards directly against the walls.
Dismantle any large furniture to give yourself more space and easier movability and reduce the risk of damage to bulkier items. Using cable ties is also a good way to keep all the pieces bunched together and organised.
Cover your furniture in blankets to create a dust barrier for extra protection. Cotton is a great fabric to use as its usually white and won’t bleed into your furniture and try to avoid using plastic.
Make sure to devote time to each item you’re storing individually. If you just move everything in, it will most likely break and looking after each item will give you peace of mind in the long run.
Small boxes can carry more weight so put heavy items in smaller boxes. Don’t buy one large box and try to fit everything in it, you’ll never be able to carry it!
Always place the largest and/or heaviest items first and always on the bottom of your unit to avoid crushing or breaking other belongings. This also gives you stability when placing items on top to give yourself even more space and save you from exhausting yourself early by starting with the hardest things first. It’s much easier to tackle a heavy cupboard, fridge and drawer with a friend than to do it by yourself on another day, especially if the unit is already full of stuff.
Lastly, your time is meaningful, don’t wait to the last minute to start packing! A box a day is a very strong method to avoid being stressed, frantic and having too much to do in a day.
Smartbox offers convenient and easy-to-load self-storage solutions of Sydneysiders and Melburnians. You can use Smartbox to store furniture, garden tools or your prized collections. Our storage rates are affordable and will sure to fit your renovation budget. Plus, there are four storage box/ container sizes to choose from (only two available in Melbourne), which is perfect if you have other items you wish to store.
To get an obligation free quote, go here or call us on 1300 880 800 to learn more about our service offerings.
