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Storage Tips
We've
put together some tips that will save you time, give you peace of mind, and help
you to protect your valuables.
Getting Started
First,
gather all of the supplies you'll need such as boxes, tape, marking pens, rope
or twine, paper, wardrobe cartons, mattress covers, shelving, cardboard for
floor padding.
General Tips
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When
packing your storage unit, make sure to place tall items against the walls
or in corners to make room for bulkier items. |
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Always
stack fragile and lighter boxes on top of heavier boxes to protect them
from breaking. |
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Fill
boxes to capacity to prevent collapsing. |
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Fragile
and easily broken items can be packed inside the drawers of a dresser or
stored inside a clean refrigerator or microwave. |
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Don't
over pack boxes to weigh more than 30 lbs. |
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Use
cardboard to pad the floor to protect furniture. |
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Label all boxes
well. You are going to want to know what’s in them and where they go on
moving day.
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Appliances
Refrigerators
and freezers should be completely cleaned and dry, and stored with its door
slightly ajar.
Some items can be stored inside large appliances and boxes can be
stacked on top of stove, refrigerator and freezers.
Disconnect washing machine,
dishwasher, and dryer hoses, put in plastic bags and place them inside.
Use
towels to protect items placed inside the tubs.
Beds
Disassemble
the bed frame.
Tie rails and crosspieces together with rope or tape.
Use
mattress bags to keep mattresses clean.
Bedding, Clothing, Curtains, Drapes, and Linens
Clothing,
curtains, and drapes should be stored on hangers.
If hanging cartons are not
available, such items should be carefully folded and stored in dresser drawers
or cedar chest along with bedding and linens.
Food crumbs or stains should be
removed before storing and avoid anything that may attract pests.
Books and Documents
Pack
books flat and alternate the bindings to protect their spines.
Use
packing to fill out empty spaces in the boxes.
Don't pack fragile items in the
same box with books.
Books are heavy
and can tear through the bottom of a box; don't overfill cartons.
Do
not place cardboard boxes directly on concrete floors. Use pallets or skids to
prevent any minimal moisture absorption.
Curtains/Shower Rods
Remove
hardware from the walls, place hardware in a small plastic bag, tape hardware
around the rods.
Dishes and Glassware
Place
a layer of packing inside the bottom and at the top of boxes containing
glassware.
All glass items should be individually wrapped; nest cups and bowls
in sets, and stand plates, saucers and platters on edge.
Wrapped glasses should
be placed near the top of cartons.
Fill all gaps with packing.
Label all boxes
containing glassware and do not place heavy items on boxes containing glassware.
Dressers and Bureaus
Fill
drawers with breakable items and cushion with loose clothes or linens.
Secure
drawers with a pad or blanket (tape can remove the finish from furniture) and
tie with rope.
Don't overload drawers with heavy items.
It helps to remove the
drawers when actually moving the piece of furniture.
Furniture
Place
a pallet, a cardboard mat, or plastic sheeting on the floor and stand sofas and
mattresses on end.
Disassemble beds and tables and wrap table legs in
paper.
If a table can not be disassembled, place padding on the floor and place
table on its top with legs pointing up.
Use dresser tops for stacking cartons
and dresser drawers for linens or small delicate items.
Keep upholstery off the
floor.
Most lightweight chairs can be stacked or placed upside down on tables,
which cannot be disassembled.
Finally, place a light cotton cover on the
furniture.
Lamps
Wrap large lamp bases in
padding wrap smaller lamps and place them in boxes, and pack delicate lampshades
separately.
Do not use newspaper to wrap lampshades or any other good that may
be damaged by ink stains.
Do not store heavy items on cartons containing lamps
or shades.
Metal Objects
Protect your tools and bicycles from rust by
oiling them before storing.
Store away from exposed items to avoid oil staining.
Mirrors, Windows, and Screens
These
items should be wrapped and stored on edge, not flat.
Mark GLASS on the outside
in several places to prevent mishandling
Tools and Gardening Equipment
Drain
hoses, coil and pack in carton.
Fill remaining space with lawn sprinklers, small
garden tool, etc. Tie rakes, brooms, shovels, and long handled tool together
with tape or rope.
Make sure to drain fuel out of any gas-powered equipment.
TVs and Radios
Box
upright in carton that is well padded on all sides.
Mark all sides with arrows
pointing up and the word UP.
Stereos and Other Electronic Equipment
Tie
CDs in small bundles when packing, use small boxes to avoid over packing.
Fill
unused space with wadded paper.
Pack cassettes in the same manner.
Records
should be stored on edge to prevent warping.
Pack components and its cables in
well-padded cartons marked fragile.
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