Whether you are moving temporarily and can’t take all of your belongings with you or you need a place to keep the items you’re saving for your children, long-term, affordable self-storage is an excellent option. For more than 30 years, Arctic Self Storage in Anchorage, Alaska, has been keeping family heirlooms, important paperwork, and personal belongings safe and sound in climate-controlled storage units.

Family-owned and operated, Arctic Self Storage knows how important it is to prepare and protect your treasured items. If you are packing items to be kept in a storage unit for more than six months, there are a few things you should do make sure they are safe. 

Here are four tips from the Anchorage packing experts for long-term storage:

• Give It A Good Cleaning: Before you pack your items, wipe everything with a clean cloth and an appropriate cleaner. Make sure to let everything breathe in a well-ventilated area before you cover and pack the item for storage. Any moisture trapped in the box will damage your items over time.
• Disassemble Larger Items: If you are storing dressers, beds, tables, or other larger furniture pieces, disassemble them for easier transport and storage. Remove legs from tables, take out drawers from dressers, and remove cushions from couches. Keep all screws and nuts in a bag.
• Cover To Protect: Use bubble wrap, soft cloth, or acid-free paper to protect items such as framed pictures, mirrors, or lamps. Once wrapped, place items in a box with packing peanuts or foam for added protection. Polish or spray any wood furniture with oil so it doesn’t dry out while it's in storage. Then, cover your furniture with cloth or packing paper so dirt and debris don't damage it. The experts at Arctic Self Storage recommend avoiding plastic package materials as it can trap moisture, which leads to mold.
• Stack Strategically: Place heaviest boxes on the bottom and lighter ones on top. Label boxes “Fragile” or “This side up” as necessary. Place fragile items in the back of the storage unit so they are less likely to be disturbed. The Arctic Self Storage experts recommending hanging clothes as opposed to folding them and always stacking chairs on top of one another for stability. Don’t forget to leave walking space in between items!

Arctic Self Storage offers climate-controlled storage units so humidity, bacteria, and pests won’t damage your belongings when they're in long-term storage. For more information about affordable storage unit options in Anchorage, visit the Arctic Self Storage website or call (907) 563-3342 today.