Many people use self storage for house moves, for de-cluttering their homes, or for releasing space within their homes that could be used for other purposes. But storing items in a self storage unit is not a matter of ‘just dumping stuff in there’. The items that you store and the way in which you pack them and look after them during their time in storage are of utmost importance.
Protect Items from Damp
The biggest cause of damage to avoid is moisture. So when storing wooden items, books and clothing make sure that they are wrapped up in covers that are able to breathe. Don’t wrap things up in plastic as this can hold in a lot of condensation. Most storage units are dry but not climate controlled so be sure to check if the unit you are planning to use is going to be okay for the items that you plan to store that may warp or swell when they come into contact with moisture.
Never Store Hazardous Materials
Fuels, solvents, aerosols and compressed gas cylinders are examples of hazardous materials that should not be stored in self storage. Always check to see what are classed hazardous for storage before bringing them to a storage facility as they will be refused by most.
Pack Fragile Items Properly
Use wrapping paper to individually wrap up any glassware and ceramics and then place them in a box filled with all the necessary padding. Make sure to label the box so that you know what’s inside and avoid stacking too much heavy stuff on top of it.
Stack and Organise Sensibly
Heavier boxes should be placed on the floor of the storage space and the lighter ones on top. It is also a good idea to keep a narrow path through the storage space so that you can reach items stored at the back without having to move everything to one side.
Protect Upholstered Furniture and Mattresses
Don’t forget to cover up upholstered furniture and mattresses with a good quality, breathable fabric cover to stop them getting covered in dust and attracting pests. Try to stack them up on pallets or boards to elevate them off the floor where possible.
When choosing a local storage facility the sizes of local self storage units and the hours of access to local storage facilities can vary greatly between local storage, so it is always best to look at a few local storage facilities before making a decision. There is more on Self Storage Worcester at https://www.stocknlock.co.uk/locations/worcester.
With a little planning and the right packing materials before you fill your storage unit, you can avoid returning to your local storage facility to deal with a host of problems with the items that you have stored.
