Sometimes you just don’t have enough room at home to store all of your items. Instead of purging and getting rid of things that you actually want to keep, consider using a storage unit to properly secure them.
Storage units are also ideal for protecting your belongings from the climate (depending on where you live this may be more humid and worse in the summer, for example), inclement weather and pests, such as mice, by providing a safe and secure place to keep them out of harm’s way.
The Right Way to Store Items in Storage Unit
Follow these simple steps to make sure everything is stored safely and efficiently, and ensure that your belongings stay in pristine condition for years to come:
- Choose the right storage unit. Pick a unit that is big enough for your needs. A traditional unit will work fine in most cases, however if you are storing temperature or humidity-sensitive items, you may want to consider a climate-controlled unit.
- Clean your belongings. Clean items before storing them in your unit. Items such as furniture and clothing that don’t see frequent use can bring in bugs and mould. Over time, this can cause major problems if not treated beforehand.
- Take inventory. Make a note of everything you are storing. This way you won’t be frantically looking for something when you need it and wondering if it’s gone missing. Use a spreadsheet or list format, whatever works best for you, and keep printed out copies just in case.
- Use good packing supplies like uniform boxes and packing tape. You can also make use of cushioning materials such as bubble wrap and newspaper. These are especially important for the packing and transportation of fragile items.
- Take items apart. Larger items that can easily be disassembled such as bookcases, tables and beds, allows you to transport and store them safely and more efficiently.
- Label all boxes. Pack and label items categorically so it’s easier to find them. Maybe you want to store all kitchen items in one box. Pack heavier items on the bottom and fragile ones on the top, and use dish towels for cushioning.
- Pack your unit properly. Store heavier boxes on the bottom and lighter ones on the top to prevent damage and breakages. Also, pack based on accessibility. Keep the items you are most likely to need where they are easy to get to.
Things You Should Never Store in Storage Unit
All of the following items can cause chaos in a storage unit – not only for you, but for surrounding storage units and owners as well. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so avoid storing them altogether.
- Food and perishable items
- Liquids
- Hazardous materials
- Explosives
Items Requiring Climate-Controlled Storage
Climate-controlled storage keeps a unit’s indoor temperature between 12-29°C year-round, and maintains a consistent humidity level. It can also stop moisture from getting to materials and causing them to warp, rot and damage.
The following items benefit largely from climate-controlled storage:
- Leather and wooden furniture
- Household appliances such as washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens, microwaves and refrigerators
- Musical instruments
- Special collections such as coins, stamps, comics and wine
- Artwork
- Clothing
- Photos
- Business documents
- Electronics
Not sure if your belongings need to be stored or have more questions about what can be safely stored in storage unit? Contact Multi Storage, Hamilton’s self-storage leader, for all of your storage needs!
