At Space Place, we aim to help make moving and storing your items easy and if at all possible, stress free. Our comprehensive list of packing and storage tips can help you get the most out of your rental storage unit and ensure moving stuff to storage is simple and effective. Be sure to read through these tips before moving into storage. We even have a handy Self Storage How To checklist to ensure you don't forget anything along the way.
Also have a look at the Self Storage Insurance section for more information on the importance of insuring your goods for the course of their stay in storage.
Storage Tips
Furniture- Make extra storage space by packing drawers of dressers, wardrobes and other furniture with additional items.
- When possible, dismantle furniture to maximize storage space.
- When possible, store furniture such as couches, tables and desks on end to ensure vertical space is utilized wherever possible.
- Cover furniture with blankets or furniture pads to prevent scratches and other damage.
- Store lampshades separately from lamp bases and wrap them for protection.
- Stack chairs seat-to-seat and wrap their legs to best protect them.
- Tape drawers and other moveable parts of furniture shut in order to prevent damage.
- All appliances should be thoroughly drained of liquid prior to storage. Appliance doors should be kept open. These measures prevent water and mildew damage.
- For safety reasons, drain all gasoline and oil before storing equipment with a motor, including yard equipment.
- Before storing your vacuum cleaner, discard the bag inside. Never store vacuums with used bags as this can permanently damage the appliance.
- Wipe metal objects, tools and bicycle chains with a little oil prior to storage in order to prevent rust.
- A heated unit is recommended for leather to maintain softness. Treat leather items with leather conditioner before storing.
- Do not put goods in sealed plastic bags as this can promote mildew. Clothes and fabrics are best stored in wardrobe boxes to keep them dry and free from damaging mildew.
- All clothing and fabrics should be stored on hangers, ideally in wardrobe boxes. These are conveniently available at Space Place.
- Store other fabric items in empty dresser drawers or chests.
- Keep seasonal clothing in an easily accessible place.
- All mattresses are best kept in mattress bags during transit or storage. Space Place has several sizes of mattress covers available on site to protect these expensive items.
- At the very least, ensure mattresses are covered with blankets or pads and stored lengthwise rather than on top of other items.
Rental Storage Unit Organization Tips
- Rental storage units are priced by size. As such, a small, well-packed and organized unit will work out to be less expensive than a large unit that has been poorly organized.
- Place the items that you will need frequent access to toward the front of your rental storage unit.
- When moving belongings into storage, never stack heavy or sharp objects on upholstery or delicate items.
- Never store wet items in your storage locker.
- Investing in shelving for your unit will maximize vertical height and create extra storage space.
- Draw a simple map of where all items are located in your rental storage unit. Trust us, this will be very helpful later!
- Stack heavier items on the bottom and lighter items on top.
- Cover exposed items with blankets to protect from dust.
- Always remember to lock your storage unit when leaving.
- Never store combustible materials.
- When in doubt, throw it out. Moving/storing is the perfect time to get rid of items you never use; you will save lots of room in storage if you do a little spring cleaning first.
Self Storage Insurance
Just as you would get home or tenant insurance to protect your house and its contents, you should also invest in self storage insurance. We recommend all customers make this inexpensive investment to protect their storage unit and goods within. After all, items worth storing are worth insuring! Please note: Most homeowners insurance only covers property in storage for a very small amount of time (usually a month or two). Check your policy to make sure you are covered for the length of your storage stay. Space Place is not responsible for any damage that may occur to your goods for any reason while in storage.
For convenience, Space Place offers affordable self storage insurance through a third party at the time of your rental. If you have any questions or require information, please contact us. Our friendly staff is always happy to help.
Self Storage How To Checklist
- Compile a list of what you plan to store in your rental storage unit. This will assist our staff in helping you decide what size and type of rental storage unit will best suit your needs. Creating a list will also help you plan out your move to storage and keep you organized.
- Call or visit Space Place to reserve your rental storage unit.
- Purchase the appropriate packing supplies at Space Place.
- Make sure boxes are not too heavy, too uneven or have too many air pockets when you pack them.
- Avoid using plastic bags as they can promote the growth of mildew, which can spread throughout a unit.
- Avoid using printed newspaper as it may transfer ink to your items over time.
- Label every box on each side with a list of contents.
- Donate all unwanted items or have a garage sale to avoid wasting extra storage space.
- Drain gasoline from lawn mowers and all other small engines being stored.
- In order to avoid mildew damage in your unit, empty, defrost, clean and thoroughly dry refrigerators and freezers as well as other small appliances. Keep appliance doors ajar while in your rental storage unit.
- Maximize space by moving large items and furniture in first (disassemble when possible). Leave a small aisle allowing you easy access to all items. Then, stack items in order of weight. Place heavier items on the bottom with lighter items on top.
- Place items you will need more frequent access to toward the front of your rental storage unit (e.g. seasonal clothing).
- Cover items in your unit with tarps, blankets, sheets or moving pads to protect them from dust.
- Have you forgotten any items needing to be stored? These could include items on loan, borrowed items, dry cleaning, items at the repair shop, etc.
- Do not store any combustibles or toxic products such as paint, oil or gasoline.
- Protect your stored items by purchasing inexpensive storage insurance to cover your goods.
- Please feel free to ask us any questions you may have. We've been in the business for over twenty years and would be happy to share our experience and expertise with you.
