No one likes spending more than they should. Unfortunately, poor storage practices could cause you to pay for more space than you need—or even damage your belongings! To help customers get the most out of their self-storage units, Elyria South Storage has put together a few simple tips for using space efficiently and giving you a hassle-free experience:

• Use a Diagram: The key to using space effectively is to take advantage of all dimensions, but this can be difficult when you rely on estimation alone. To ensure your items will fit, draw out a diagram, noting the width, height, and depth of everything. It’s a lot less tedious than winging it. You’ll thank yourself later!

• Use New & Sturdy Boxes: Think twice about using old boxes to store your items. When you’re planning on taking advantage of verticality, it will be much safer to stack sturdy boxes and cartons. At the very least, ensure your boxes have corners and no rips.

• Pack Heavy Items in Small Boxes: Heavy items, such as books, should be stored in only small boxes. It’s safer for your back when you start stacking, and it cuts down on the chance of your boxes collapsing.

• Double Box Fragile Items: Another important way to reinforce box strength, especially when storing fragile items, is to double box them. When double boxing, always use a layer of newspaper or bubble wrap between the inner and outer box—but avoid bubble wrap when storing electronics.

• Avoid Plastic Covering: If you need to cover wood furniture or upholstered items, use a durable fabric covering—not plastic, which will trap moisture and cultivate mildew. Whenever you’re dealing with wood and other absorbent materials, seek to promote ventilation.

Looking for a storage unit? Elyria South Storage serves people throughout the Northern Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky areas. For more information, call the self-storage facility at (440) 986-5201, or contact them online.