Whether you need a place to keep items while you renovate your home, or you need extra space to store off-season clothing, decorations, and other infrequently used items, self-storage is a great solution for a lot of different situations. Storage units offer flexibility for short- and long-term storage so you can find a solution to meet your needs. To ensure your belongings are protected from the elements and other possible damage, you need to understand some of the do’s and don’ts of self-storage.

Do:

Keep Walkways Clear

Keep a clear walkway down the middle of your storage unit that extends all the way to the back. This gives you enough space to move around and take down boxes, remove items, and replace them as needed. Also, keep any items you expect to retrieve often toward the front. This will make trips to your unit quicker as you won’t have to rifle through everything to find what you need.

Use Shelving

If you can, put shelves in the unit to keep totes and boxes off the ground. This adds a layer of protection from moisture. It also keeps you from stacking too many boxes on top of one another, which makes them difficult, and dangerous, to get to.

Label Your Boxes

It’s wise to label at least two sides and the top of all boxes. The more specific you are, the better. Of course, make sure the labeled side is visible from the walkway so you can easily spot what you need without digging.

Don’t:

Under- or Over-Pack Boxes

Over-packing boxes makes them hard to stack safely and could make them too heavy to move by yourself. Under-packing also poses problems, though, as you risk heavier items crushing those boxes and breaking its contents. To avoid this, keep light boxes on top and add bubble wrap or styrofoam peanuts for protection.

Store Anything Flammable

If you plan to store items like a lawn mower, drain all the oil from it before putting it in storage. Not only does this reduce your risk of fire damage, but it will also keep gas-powered machinery in good condition.

Wrap Items in Plastic

Wrapping items in plastic sounds like a good idea in theory, but in reality, the plastic traps moisture. As a result, mold and mildew grow on items like furniture and clothing.

 

By following the above tips, you can keep your belongings in good condition no matter how long you plan to store them. If you’re looking for a secure self-storage facility in Hesperia, CA, look no further than Hesperia Self Storage. They offer units in several sizes and at various price points to meet your needs. There’s no down payment or deposit to pay up front, and the storage facility is under 24-hour video surveillance for your safety. Visit their website for more information, or call (760) 244-­4545 with any questions.