Storage units are a convenient way to safely keep your belongings when space is limited or if you’re planning a relocation and need temporary space. To ensure items are protected, there are a few packing rules to follow. Below are some tips.

How to Pack Items in a Storage Facility

1. Clean Your Belongings

Before putting anything in storage, make sure it’s clean. Wash clothing, wipe down furniture, and dust everything. Dirty items can attract pests into your storage unit. Make sure everything is thoroughly dried so that mold and mildew do not set in.

If you’re storing appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers, drain and defrost them to avoid mold spores and save items from water damage if there is a leak.

2. Use Packing Material

Gather boxes and bins of different sizes to accommodate your belongings. Make sure fragile items are secure in bubble wrap or newspaper and ensure furniture is padded. Always wrap glass items and mirrors in blankets or furniture pads and store pieces upright so nothing is placed on top that could break them.

3. Break Down Large Items

If furniture can be broken down, take the time to disassemble each piece. It’s easier to store tables and chairs when the legs are removed, as the chances for damage are reduced. You can fit these pieces into smaller areas to maximize storage unit square footage. Place all the screws in a plastic bag and attach it to the furniture to which it belongs so you don’t lose any necessary parts.

4. Label Boxes

Be detailed about what is inside each container and try to organize items by similarities. For example, keep books in one section, holiday decorations in another, and clothes in their own corner. This saves you time when you need to find an item quickly.

5. Organize the Unit by Durability & Usage

Place items you won’t regularly need toward the back of the storage unit and keep belongings you will need toward the front. Place heavier items on the bottom and lighter on top, and make sure fragile items are in safe, level areas with nothing stacked on them.

For strong plastic bins, stack them as high as you safely can to maximize the vertical space. Make a path in your unit to reach each area easily.

If you’re looking for storage in the East Syracuse, NY, region, reserve a storage unit at Drive-In Self Storage. Their helpful team is available six days a week, and their ground-floor units make drive-up access easy. Commercial customers enjoy 24-hour access to their fully paved, clean storage facility. With storage units ranging from 5’ x 5’ to 10’ x 40’, you are sure to find the perfect self-storage solution for your needs. Call (315) 656-4256 to find out more about available storage units or for a U-Haul rental. Visit their website for more information on their facility.