If you plan to downsize to a smaller home or travel for lengthy periods, investing in long-term self-storage is a good idea. Placing items in a locked unit in a guarded facility will keep your property safe until it’s needed. However, spending a long period in storage can result in other issues for your belongings, so use these tips to organize and protect them.

How to Pack a Long-Term Self-Storage Unit

1. Label Boxes

Months or years after putting items in long-term storage, you might not remember which belongings were placed in which boxes. To remain organized and reduce stress when it’s finally time to unpack, put a large label on each box.

You can write down the contents on the side or the room it belongs in. Containers with easily breakable items should have fragile labels on each side as well as a marker that indicates which end of the box should face up. 

2. Clean Items Before Packing

Wash or wipe down all belongings before you tuck them away in cardboard boxes and plastic storage bins. Running cookware through the dishwasher, for example, will remove food residue so pests aren’t attracted to the storage unit. When clothing is freshly laundered, musky smells won’t cling to the fabric and body oils won’t break down fibers.

You should also dust off electronics, as the particles attract moisture that could damage the investments. Apply finishing sprays to prevent abrasive particles from settling on upholstered and wooden surfaces.  

3. Arrange Items According to Need

Since you might visit the storage unit from time to time to pick up items, you should organize them accordingly. Seasonal clothing and anything else you might need sooner rather than later should be stored toward the front of the unit for easy access. Disassembled furniture and other bulky items should be put in the back.

If you need a safe place to store your things for extended periods, contact Advantage Storage. Based in Flower Mound, TX, for over two decades, the storage facility provides a variety of unit sizes, including climate-controlled options, as well as boat and vehicle storage. There’s an onsite facility manager and video surveillance so clients can rest easy knowing their property is secure in storage. To inquire about self-storage unit availability, call (972) 212-5225, and look at the list of features online.