Amazing Tips and Tricks for Preparing Items for Storage

You want to preserve that old dresser your grandmother brought with her all the way from her remote home village so many years ago?

You’d like to keep your kids’ artwork that makes you smile every time you look at it?

You think those specialized tools might still be useful some day?

Or, maybe, you are in the process of moving house, renovating your place, or downsizing your home?

In all these cases (and in many others as well) you’ll be looking for an efficient method to get your not-needed-at-the-moment but potentially useful or highly cherished belongings out of your way without losing them forever. In other words, you’re going to need a good storage option for everything you want to keep but don’t have the space to.

Self-storage provides a simple and very convenient solution for your needs. All you have to do is choose an appropriate storage facility and store your items in it. However, to ensure the excellent condition of your treasured belongings while in storage, you need to prepare and pack them with utmost care and great attention to the details.

Here are all the useful tricks you need to know when preparing your belongings for storage:

How to Prepare Items for Storage

When preparing items for storage, you want to:

1) organize them in a logical and practical manner, so that you can easily find (and access) whichever of them you may need at a given moment; and

2) ensure the best possible protection against dust, dirt, moisture, pests, and eventual damage.

To achieve this you should follow some simple yet highly effective storage packing tips:

• Group your items by type, material, purpose, etc.
• Make a self-storage inventory list to help you keep track of your stored belongings;
• Make sure the items you pack for storage are clean and dry;
• Disassemble large items to better protect each individual part;
• Pack your items as safely and efficiently as possible.

Have in mind though that every individual item has its own specifics you should take into account when preparing it for storage in addition to the general rules above.

How to Prepare Furniture for Storage

Step 1. Empty and clean your furniture – vacuum upholsteries and clean all surfaces with a gentle solution of soap and water. Let the furniture air dry.

Step 2. Take measures to protect your furniture in storage:

• Apply leather conditioner to leather furniture;
• Protect wood surfaces with a coat of wax to seal the wood and reduce the risk of mold development;
• Wipe down metal elements with oil to prevent tarnishing and rusting.

Step 3. Disassemble large furniture pieces as much as possible. Put small hardware parts (bolts, hinges, etc.) in sealable plastic bags (tape the bags to the corresponding furniture to prevent losing or mixing the small parts).

Step 4. Wrap the furniture in moving blankets and plastic wrap or use specialized fabric furniture covers.

Good to remember:

• Do not use plastic wrap directly on wooden or leather furniture as the plastic covers can trap moisture and heat and cause the wood or leather to warp or mold. Besides, prolonged contact with plastic may ruin paint jobs and result in stains;
• Cover upholstered furniture with white cotton sheets, as dark-colored fabrics can bleed color onto the stored items if the humidity level in the storage unit is too high.

SEE ALSO: How to pack furniture for shipping

How to Prepare Appliances for Storage

Step 1. Empty any appliances you intend to put into storage and clean them thoroughly (freezers and refrigerators need to be defrosted first). It’s a good idea to add bleach or baking soda to the cleaning solution to properly disinfect the appliances and remove any bad odors.

Step 2. Make sure any water is completely drained from the attached hoses or internal mechanisms of your household appliances (dishwashers and washing machines, in particular). Otherwise, water can freeze and damage the appliance during the winter months or cause mildew during warmer weather.

Step 3. Tie down and secure any attached cables and hoses. Store removed hoses or other attachments inside the appliance.

Good to remember: It is recommendable to leave the doors of your household appliances slightly ajar when they are in storage to allow for proper ventilation (it will help prevent condensation and bad odors).

SEE ALSO: How to pack home appliances for moving

How to Prepare Electronic Devices for Storage

Make sure all electronic equipment that will go into storage is completely clean and dust-free.

Pack electronic devices in their original boxes or ones of similar size and quality. Fill any empty spaces in the box with crumpled packing paper, foam sheets, or anti-static packing peanuts to ensure optimal protection during storage. Seal the boxes tightly.

SEE ALSO: How to pack electronics for moving

How to Prepare Clothes for Storage

When storing clothes for prolonged periods of time, you’re strongly advised to refrain from folding them up and stuffing them in boxes. Hang your garments on a clothes rail instead to keep them wrinkle-free and ensure good ventilation (this will help prevent mold).

Store your hanging clothes in wardrobe boxes as they provide the best possible protection against dust and dampness.

It is recommendable to use some kind of insect repellent products (naphthalene or mothballs) to protect clothing that will be stored long term.

SEE ALSO: How to pack clothes for moving

How to Prepare Mattresses for Storage

Step 1. Inspect your mattress carefully for any signs of infestations and make sure it is clean and completely dry (consider placing it in a spot with direct sunlight for a few hours before packing it for storage, just in case).

Step 2. Place the mattress in a specialized mattress storage bag that fits it perfectly (the durable mattress bags provide maximum protection against dirt, dust, moisture, and pests). Seal the plastic protector’s ends with quality packing tape.

Consider using vacuum bags to save some space when storing comforters, duvets, linens, and other bedding items.

Must-read: How to store a mattress

How to Prepare Books for Storage

Step 1. Make sure any books you want to put into storage are fully dry. It may be a good idea to keep them spread on a table in a room that gets plenty of sunlight for several days before packing them for storage. Consider running a dehumidifier in the room, as well. (If you find mold on any of your books, take them to a conservator first to have them properly cleaned and restored).

Step 2. Wrap leather books in paper so they don’t stick to one another.

Step 3. Arrange your books in small sturdy boxes (books are very heavy, so larger boxes will be difficult to lift and stack and may even break under their own weight). You can place smaller books upright, but it is generally recommendable to pack books flat (especially larger ones) in order to prevent damage to the spines.

SEE ALSO: How to pack books for moving

How to Prepare Fragile Items for Storage

Wrap all fragile items individually in packing paper and bubble wrap. Line the bottoms of the packing boxes with soft padding and use lots of crumpled paper, bubble wrap, fabric items (towels, clothes, etc.) or other appropriate materials to provide extra cushioning between the items. Mark the boxes “Fragile” and “Handle with care”. Make sure you:

• Place plates, saucers, and bowls on their sides to prevent breakages;
• Place cups and glasses with their rims down;
• Nest smaller dishes in larger ones only if both are properly wrapped;
• Store delicate and/or expensive dishes and glassware in specialized dish packs;
• Store paintings, mirrors, and framed pictures in specialized mirror boxes;
• Use masking tape to create an “X” on glass surfaces in order to add strength and prevent shattering. Consider placing flat cardboard pieces on both sides of the glass for maximum protection;
• Store statuettes, figurines, and other pieces of art or fragile collectibles in wooden crates (if you decide to use cardboard boxes instead, at least make sure they are small and very strong).

SEE ALSO: How to pack fragile items for shipping

Other useful tips you may want to consider when preparing your belongings for storage:

1) Treat all leather items you intend to put into storage with a leather conditioner. Allow them to air dry for about 48 to 72 hours before packing them;

2) Clean the drain lines of your grill, lawnmower, snow blower, and any other gas-powered units from gasoline prior to storing;

3) Place photographs between pieces of cardboard to keep them flat and well protected (they tend to curl over time and can be easily damaged);

4) Wrap lamp shades with packing paper and place them inside each other.

How to Pack Items for Storage

Last but not least – to successfully prepare your items for storage, you need to observe the golden rules of packing for storage:

• Make a detailed inventory of the items that will go into storage – it will help you better organize your belongings and find whatever you may need quickly and easily. Besides, the inventory list will serve as proof for your insurance claim in case some of your possessions get lost or damaged in an accident at the storage facility;

• Try to pack items that fall into the same category (books, kids’ stuff, kitchen items, keepsakes, etc.) together;
• Use quality packing materials (clean and sturdy cardboard boxes, specialized storage boxes, suitable plastic containers, professional wrapping and cushioning materials, furniture blankets, etc.) to ensure the safety of your stored possessions;
• Pack in boxes everything that fits in a box. Wrap larger items in moving blankets and plastic wrap;
• Consider packing in plastic containers (but not in plastic bags as they may retain moisture and cause mold growth) to keep moisture away from your items;
• When packing the boxes, place heavier items on the bottom and lighter ones on top of them;
• Provide sufficient cushioning between the items in a box – use plenty of packing paper, bubble wrap, foam sheets, packing peanuts, towels or old clothes, etc.;
• Fill the boxes to the top as half-empty cartons may easily collapse when stacked;
• Be careful not to overpack the containers or make them so heavy that they break under their own weight;
• Seal the boxes tightly to prevent dust and dirt from getting inside;
• Label the boxes as fully, clearly, and precisely as possible, so that you know exactly what each and every one of them contains. Write FRAGILE on storage boxes that contain delicate items and indicate which side is up (use arrows or write THIS SIDE UP) on boxes that contain bottles, glasses, or other items that should not be turned upside down. Use a permanent marker, so the writing doesn’t fade with time. Make sure you label the boxes on their sides so you can see the information even when the containers are stacked one over another;
• Do not store valuables (documents, jewelry, furs, very expensive items, irreplaceable items, etc.), flammable substances (gas, diesel, oil, paint, etc.), firearms, explosives, drugs, perishable items, or any other hazardous materials or items that produce odors in a self-storage unit.

So, your belongings are already well prepared and safely packed for storage. The only thing left to do now is to organize your storage unit in the most efficient and practical way possible.

How to Pack a Storage Unit

1) Cover the floor of your storage unit with a canvas tarp or plastic sheeting to keep moisture away from your belongings. You may also want to use wooden pallets or shelves to keep your items above the ground. This will allow air to flow freely around the boxes and furniture and will help prevent mold growth and other related problems.

2) Leave some space between your stored items and the walls of the storage unit to ensure good ventilation.

3) Leave a passage through the middle of the stored items for easier access to your belongings.

4) Place your largest items closest to the walls.

5) Store couches in a horizontal position – storing sofas vertically may seem like an effective way to save space, but a couch’s sides are not designed to withstand the entire weight of the furniture – the pressure can cause the coils to break and the frame to crack.

6) Store mattresses flat and avoid putting anything on top of them.

7) Stack chairs seat to seat (don’t forget to put some cloth or paper padding in between).

8) Store lightweight items on top of drawers, dressers, cupboards, and other sturdy pieces. Never stack boxes on top of a couch though, as it may sag or the upholstery may get badly damaged.

9) Place smaller items in uniform-sized boxes. (You can keep small items like pictures, souvenirs, and various other keepsakes or collectibles in drawers, just make sure they are properly wrapped to avoid eventual damage).

10) Stack boxes of similar sizes one over the other (make sure you place the heaviest boxes on the bottom).

11) Make sure the labels of the boxes are facing the walkway.

12) Ensure the boxes containing fragile items are not stacked under heavier pieces.

13) Place the items you might need soon (or frequently) at the front of your storage unit.

You can find more detailed information on how to best pack a self-storage unit here.

When preparing items for storage, your goal is to ensure your possessions will be in perfect condition when you decide to take them out of storage.

Do you have any more useful ideas on how to best achieve this goal? Share them in the comments section below.