How to Move Items into Storage Safely and Efficiently

Before moving your belongings into storage, it’s important to take a comprehensive inventory. That way, you can easily find your items when it’s time to retrieve them.

When storing fragile items, it’s essential to wrap them carefully. If possible, pack them among clothes or other soft belongings for added protection.

Take a Comprehensive Inventory

If you want to avoid a chaotic move that causes you to lose track of your belongings, you’ll need to take a thorough inventory of everything you’re planning to put into storage. This will help you determine the size of storage unit you’ll need and will also help you stay organized once everything is in storage.

You can do this by writing down every item you’re going to store on a list, and keeping that list both at home and inside your storage unit. This way, you’ll know where your items are at all times and won’t have to go tearing through your boxes in search of something you need.

Once you’ve taken a complete inventory of your belongings, you can begin packing them. Be sure to use proper packing supplies, including packing tape and bubble wrap for fragile items. It’s important to mark all of your boxes clearly, as well. Don’t just write “Kitchen Items” on a box; be specific and use descriptive terms to make it easier for you to find the items you need.

Clothes, fashion accessories, shoes and towels are best packed in suitcases because they’re the perfect size for these items. This will keep them clean and protected and will also save space in your storage unit. You can also store these items in plastic containers, trunks or labelled boxes. If you’re storing fragile items like mirrors, plates and baubles, you’ll want to wrap them individually and pack them carefully into a box.

Be sure to place these boxes towards the front of your storage unit so you can easily access them in the future. You should also consider storing your furniture near the back of your unit. This will allow you to clear out more room in the middle of your unit and prevent you from having to push things around to get at them later on.

Pack Your Belongings in Labeled Boxes

To avoid any misplaced items during the moving process, clearly label all of your boxes. Make sure to write the destination room, contents of the box and if it’s fragile. Clearly labeling boxes will save you time when unpacking and decrease stress on your movers. If you hire movers, be sure to mark your boxes as fragile so they can be extra careful.

If you have a lot of small items like miniature knick-knacks, stuffed animals and jewelry, it’s a good idea to wrap them in t-shirts or blankets for extra protection. This will also prevent your items from getting smashed during the move.

Make sure to pack all of your electronic items in their original packaging if possible. This will ensure that they are adequately protected and that you’ll have a way to set them back up later. Also, remember to gather all of the product manuals and cords for your electronics and place them in a safe, secure bag or envelope so that you don’t lose them.

When packing up your clothes, fashion accessories and shoes, use suitcases. This will keep them clean and organized while in storage. Also, it will make them easier to find when you’re ready to wear them.

If you have a large number of items, it might be best to categorize them as you pack so that they’re easy to find when you need them. For example, you could use a color system or label the boxes with the rooms they belong in. This will save you time and energy when you’re looking for something in the future. It will also eliminate frustration when you have to go through multiple boxes to find what you need.

Give Your Belongings a Thorough Cleaning

Before you put any items into storage it is a good idea to give them a thorough cleaning. This will help to make sure that they are free of dust, dirt and mildew. It will also help to ensure that they are in a clean condition when you want to retrieve them. It is also a good idea to use coverings on any items that can be prone to dust, such as sofas or armchairs.

You should also be sure to have a good supply of packing materials on hand. This should include varying sizes of boxes, marker pens for labelling the boxes, bubble wrap, tissue paper or newspaper and packing tape. You may also wish to consider using a wooden crate for larger items such as furniture or large appliances.

Place Dryer Sheets Inside Your Boxes or Bins

If you have large pieces of furniture, such as beds or tables, that can be disassembled, it’s a good idea to take them apart before moving into storage, or if you’re moving, for instance, moving to moving to Gloucester. This can save space and make it easier to protect your belongings from damage. It also makes the process of fitting them into your unit much faster and more efficient.

Another handy item to place inside your boxes or bins is dryer sheets. Besides softening clothes and reducing static, they’re also useful for freshening things up, repelling pests, and cleaning. There are tons of other uses for these items, so stock up before you start your packing process!

Lastly, if you have the option, use clear bins instead of cardboard boxes. This will make it easier for you to keep track of what’s inside your box or bin and avoid frantically digging through everything when you need something in the future.

Make Sure Your Unit is Clean

If you don’t properly care for your items in storage, they can break or become moldy and musty. To avoid this, make sure you take the time to clean your unit when putting items in it. You can do this by sweeping the floor, mopping the floor, and dusting the furniture. You can also use this opportunity to replace old light bulbs and vacuum the upholstery of any furniture you are storing.

Another great way to keep your items safe and organized in storage is to use freestanding shelving units inside your unit. This will allow you to utilize the full vertical space of your unit and will also make it much easier to access your belongings when needed.

Stacking boxes in storage can be a great way to save space, but it’s important that you do so with caution. If you stack boxes, be sure to place heavier items on the bottom and lighter items on top. This will prevent them from crushing boxes below them over time and will make it easier to get to lighter items when you need them.

Finally, it’s a good idea to use a breathable cover like canvas or cotton when storing your items. These will help to keep out moisture and insects, which can cause damage over time.

When it comes to storing items in storage, the most important thing is to make sure that you have a plan. Too many people end up renting a storage unit out of procrastination and then spend their time digging through a sea of boxes to find that one item they were hoping to find. This not only wastes money, but it can also be emotionally taxing.