Several details need to be worked out when you plan to live abroad for a period of time. One of the most important is deciding what to do with all your belongings while you’re gone. Putting them in a long-term storage unit is the ideal solution, but it requires careful preparation to ensure your items are in the same condition when you return as how you left them.

A Guide to Long-Term Storage

1. Create an Inventory

Since you won’t be accessing your storage unit for some time, make a list of everything that’s going inside. This will help you keep track of all your possessions and remind you what items you have when you move back home. It’s also essential to have a list for insurance purposes. Keep one copy inside the unit and one in an off-site location.

2. Make Sure Items Are Cleaned & Packed Properly

Cleaning items before they’re packed will get rid of any lingering dirt, dust, and food remnants that may attract pests or scratch furniture. Fragile items should be carefully wrapped and placed in the appropriate size box so they can’t move around too much.

Use sturdy boxes and avoid packing anything in plastic bags, as the material traps moisture and can damage your possessions. Appliances need to be disinfected and drained to prevent damage and mold growth, and it’s best to disassemble furniture to maximize space. Finally, label all the boxes, so you don’t have to go through each one to find a specific item when you return.

3. Pack Your Unit Carefully 

When it comes time to place your belongings in storage, strategically place them to make the most of your square footage. Use a tarp to cover the floor to keep moisture from seeping up through the bottom.

Large furniture pieces should be covered in tarps or blankets to protect them from dust and falling items. Also, keep boxes marked as fragile in one area and away from anything that could topple over onto them. 

If you’re looking for a long-term storage facility you can trust, turn to Treweek Mini Storage in Kalispell, MT. They offer a variety of different sized units to accommodate any amount of space you need. For more than 40 years, they’ve proudly been the community’s go-to source for safe and secure self-storage, as well as high-quality packing supplies. Call (406) 752-2835 to ask about rates and availability, or visit them online to learn more about their services.