Furniture
It might be a good idea to wax wood
furniture before storing it. Some woods can be sensitive to
moisture. Disassemble bed frames and tie them together. Use zip-
lock bags to store screws and bolt and tape them to the items that
they belong to. If you stack furniture items, place pads, blankets,
or towels between them to prevent scratching. Take down lawn
furniture and tables if possible. Store frames in back corner to
prevent them from falling over on other items. Stand mattresses on
end, as well as sofas with pallets or cardboard under them. It is a
good idea to wrap mattresses in mattress bags or cover them with
paper or cloth. Stand mattress on something to allow airflow and to
prevent moisture from getting to them. Walls may develop
condensation, therefore it is not advised to lean items against the
walls.Pictures and Mirrors
Wrap pictures that are small and
stand them on end in boxes. For larger ones, buy special picture
moving boxes. Consider using foam or bubble wrap.
Electronic
Equipment
It is a good idea to use the original
boxes. If you don't have them, pack items carefully and use cushion
material. Bubble wrap, cushion foam, and even wadded up newspaper
will help. Pack items separately. Tie down tone arms for record
players. Stack record albums on end to prevent warping and use small
boxes to hold down the weight. Consider the temperature as heat can
warp CD's and record albums.
Crystal,
China, and Fine glassware
Consider buying boxes designed for
this with dividers. Wrap each item with paper or foam. Label boxes
with glass items and stack these on top. Add packing material to
both the bottom and the top of the moving boxes.
Clothing,
Curtains, Drapes
It is a good idea to store drapes and
clothing hanging on non-rusting hangers. You can buy moving boxes
designed for this. They are called wardrobe boxes. You can use
drawers to store some items and to conserve space. If storing wool
items, use cedar chips and or mothballs to prevent moth damage.
Kitchen & Laundry
You can put several small appliances
in a box. Be sure to put packing material between them. Label all
moving boxes. It is a good idea to label moving box indicating what
room it goes in and the items it contains. You can stack pots and
pans with padding in between. Bowls can be packed in a similar
fashion. One idea for your drawer-type stuff is to use plastic bags
and pack these bags in a moving box. Always consider the weight of
what you are putting in moving boxes. It is better to use 2 smaller
moving boxes than one heavy one.
Appliances
Tape doors shut while moving. Wedge
doors open in self storage to prevent mildew. You can use this
valuable storage space for items such as blankets and towels. Use up
partial bottles and boxes of laundry/cleaning products and food
goods before moving. You can place laundry items in the washer and
dryer. Be sure moving boxes are taped shut and bottles will not
leak. You can always use plastic bags to insure against leaking.
Natural Threats
These can be a problem. Do not store food items in boxes or plastic since
rodents can easily tear through these.
Metals
It might be a good idea to put a few
drops of oil on items that might rust. Insure that these items don't
come in contact with other items.
Books and other valuables
Pack books together in small moving
boxes. Big moving boxes of books can weigh too much. Store your
valuable papers in plastic bags. Consider putting moving boxes on
pallets or something to keep them off the floor.
Helpful Tips for Moving
Make your move early, if possible.
Notify your postal service. Change banks, if necessary. Put in
change of addresses to all subscriptions and other mailings. Make
sure you have a reservation for the equipment you need for the move:
trucks, dollies, and other moving items. Have plenty of rope, tape
and moving boxes on hand for packing and tying down.
Storage in General
Do not store combustibles, including
paint and thinners. Purchase a good lock. Do not store perishables.
Remove legs from tables, if possible.
Reduce Theft
of Stored Items
Always pack valuables in unmarked
containers. These items should be placed at the far back of the unit
with larger items placed in front of them. You can place valuables
between articles of clothing also. It is not recommended to store
valuables, but if you must, these are some way of protecting them.
Remember, “IF IT’S WORTH STORING, IT’S WORTH INSURING.”
Securing
Your Storage Unit
We highly suggest that you place a
lock on your unit within 24 hours of renting the storage space, so
that your items are locked up and only you have the key. For added
security, we suggest that you use a heavy-duty lock on your storage
space while storing your belongings.
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