How to Prepare Your Items for Storage

When you move to a new home, you often need to store your things for a few weeks or even months before taking them to your new place. You might have furniture or other possessions that you love but can’t use right now. While you aren’t ready to get rid of them, you want them out of the way.

In these cases, using a storage facility could provide the answer you need. You can keep your items in storage for as long or as short a period as you need. To ensure they stay in good shape, use this guide on how to pack things for storage.

Storage Unit Tips

Packing your things for storage has two goals. You want everything to stay safe while you store it, and you also want it easy to remove. You should be able to pick up your belongings and have everything ready to use immediately. Choose a storage facility that offers excellent accessibility and security, so you can feel confident everything will stay safe.

Here are some other steps to consider as you get your things ready for storage:

1. Get rid of some of your stuff: How much do you want to store? Remember that the more you store, the more you’ll pay. Perhaps you could sell a few items if they have value, or maybe you could give them away. Be picky about what you store.
2. Label boxes: You may think you’ll remember what’s in each box, but when things remain in storage for months you might forget what’s in the boxes. Label each one with the room it came from and a list of the contents. Taking this step will make unpacking much easier.
3. Use heavy-duty boxes: Professional packers can tell you the importance of choosing effective packing materials. If you store your items longer than you initially expected, you want to know they’ll remain protected. Pick sturdy boxes with excellent durability to enjoy the most outstanding protection.
4. Clean everything before you store it: If you store something dirty, it will come out dirty and get your new place messy, too. Clean every item before you put it in storage, which will reduce foul odors. Vacuum furniture and pillows, too.
5. Look for an air-conditioned facility: Leaving your things in a non-temperature-controlled facility can lead to heat damage. You want an air-conditioned facility that regulates how high the thermostat goes to guard against extreme temperatures. An air-conditioned unit may have temperatures 20 degrees or more lower than the temperature outside. When you store your items in an air-conditioned place, you receive peace of mind.
6. Take large items apart: You’ll fit more things in your storage unit if you can take them apart before storing them. A dining room table, for instance, needs a lot of room, but it takes up a lot less room when you break it into the top and the legs.

How to Prevent Mold in Storage

Once you’ve whittled down your storage items, learn how to protect your stuff from mold in storage. Mold can destroy anything it touches because you can’t get it off and it spreads quickly. Mold can wipe out an entire box of books or rot out furniture. You can protect your items by taking the following steps:

1. Dry everything: Don’t store anything moist or wet, which encourages mold growth.
2. Invest in suitable materials: You can get specialized paper pads that prevent mold from forming. Seal everything tightly to keep moisture out. Pack sweaters in wardrobe boxes, and put nice dresses in garment bags to avoid mold.
3. Wrap everything right: Use special wrapping techniques to keep mold from growing. For instance, you may wrap things in plastic before storing them. Bubble roll can also provide protection.
4. Use cotton sheets: Drape cotton sheets over furniture to protect them from gathering moisture.

How David McCarthy Moving Can Help

David McCarthy Moving has more than 30 years of experience in the moving industry, operating as a fully licensed and insured moving business since 1996. We’re claim-free and independently owned and operated, using professional moving employees for every job and never relying on daily staff. You’ll enjoy direct access to and communication with our business owners when you use our services.

We offer air-conditioned storage space for your furniture and belongings, allowing you to store your things without worrying about humidity that can destroy possessions or foster mold growth. Contact us today or call us to get information about our storage opportunities.

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