Storage Tips

Expert Tips to Safeguard Your Belongings

We at Victory Storage Group know that packing and storing your items in a storage unit involves a lot of work. Here are some storage tips provided by our storage professionals:

Tips on How to Store Your Items
 

Bedding, Clothing, Curtains, Drapes and Linens

The ideal storage method for fabric items such as clothing, curtains, and drapes involves hanging them on hangers. If hanging cartons aren't accessible, these items should be folded carefully and placed in dresser drawers or cedar chests alongside bedding and linens.

Appliances

To maintain optimal conditions, make sure refrigerators or freezers are completely dry and kept with their doors slightly open during storage. Utilize the interior space of these appliances for storing specific items, but remember to document what's inside. Maximize space efficiency by stacking boxes on stoves, refrigerators, and freezers. Before packing, thoroughly clean and dry stoves and cooking equipment

Dishes and Glassware

When packing glassware, ensure boxes have a layer of packing material at the bottom and the top for added protection. Individually wrap all glass items, nestling cups, and bowls together, as well as standing plates, saucers, and platters on their edges. Place wrapped glasses near the box's top and fill any remaining gaps with packing paper for added security. Remember to label boxes containing glassware and avoid stacking heavy items on top for safe storage and transportation.

Furniture

Before placing furniture in storage, create a protective barrier by placing a pallet, corrugated cardboard mat, or plastic sheet on the floor. If space allows, position sofas and mattresses upright to optimize storage capacity. For disassemblable furniture like beds and tables, wrap table legs in paper and separate parts. If a table can't be disassembled, cushion the floor with padding and position the table upside down with legs pointing upward. Utilize dresser tops for stacking cartons and drawers for linens or delicate items, ensuring upholstery remains elevated. Lightweight chairs can be stacked "seat to seat" or inverted on tables. Finally, safeguard your furniture with a light cotton dust cover, like a bed sheet, for added protection.

Books and Documents

Pack books flat during storage to safeguard book spines. Avoid direct contact with concrete floors using pallets or skids to prevent moisture absorption. Ensure each box is filled with packing material to eliminate empty spaces. Keep fragile items separate from books to prevent damage, and avoid overloading boxes to maintain structural integrity.

Holiday Decorations

For optimal protection, keep delicate ornaments in their original cartons whenever possible. Pad the ornaments with packing paper or newsprint for added cushioning. To prevent tangling, neatly wrap strings of lights around a piece of cardboard before placing them in a carton lined with packing paper.

Mirrors, Windows, Glass Sheeting and Screens

Position these items on their edges rather than lying flat for ideal storage. Explore our range of mirror/picture boxes, which are available for purchase at our office.

Tools

To safeguard metal tools from rust, thoroughly clean them and wipe them with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil. Ensure long-handled tools like rakes, shovels, and hoes are clean, lightly oiled, and securely tied in bundles.

Bicycles and Other Metal Items

To avoid rust, wipe all metal surfaces with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil.

Tips When Packing Items into Storage

Mark Your Calendar

Make a timeline for cleaning, labeling, and organizing your life before moving day. Take a little time each week or day to check off the list, one room or closet at a time.

Don't Rush

Packing and storing your storage space carefully will ensure the best results for your belongings.

Leave Some Room

For improved ventilation, leave airspace around the perimeter. Opt for boxes of uniform size for effortless stacking.

Clear a Path

Leave a walkway to the rear of your space for convenient access to all items.

Think Outside of the Box

Opting for plastic storage containers provides convenient accessibility without packing tape, offering a hassle-free solution.

Use Quality Materials

Utilize premium packing boxes designed for the task, ensuring they are fully sealed with packing tape for optimal security.

Make a List and Plan Ahead

Gather a list of labeled boxes for easy reference. Implementing color coordination or numbering for each box serves as a valuable organizational tool. Additionally, gather an ample supply of durable corrugated cartons, packing paper, bubble wrap, sealing tape, and marker pens. Remember to include any necessary furniture covers or shelving for your storage unit.

Keep, Give, Trash

A month before your move presents an ideal opportunity to clean the house. Plan a trip to your local donation center with old clothes, toys, sporting equipment, garage, and lawn gear. Lighten your load by discarding broken, expired, or unused items and disposing of what you won't take.

Pack Efficiently

Maximize your packing efficiency by using boxes of uniform size and packing them to capacity. Avoid overpacking, which can cause bulging and instability when stacked, and underpacking, as half-full boxes are prone to collapse. Utilize wadded-up newsprint, bubble wrap, rags, towels, or blankets to fill empty spaces and provide cushioning. Ensure maximum protection by sealing cartons securely with tape.

Manage Weight

Pack heavy items such as books and tools in small boxes. Limit the weight of all cartons to 30 lbs. or less for easier handling, regardless of size.

Label All Boxes

Label boxes so you know their contents, and keep a list (as well as pictures and descriptions) at your home or office for reference. Mark all boxes containing fragile items.

Clean Stored Items

Make sure appliances are thoroughly cleaned and dried. Secure all movable parts with paper or wrap each item with a pad for protection. Securely tape all doors shut during transport, but remember to wedge them open for storage.

Placement

Store items you use most often at the front of the unit. When you pack your storage unit, create a center aisle to access all items easily.

Preparation Before Your Move

• Purchase packing supplies.
• Begin packing boxes as soon as possible.
• Send out address change cards.
• Obtain copies of school records.
• Arrange for dry cleaning of clothing.
• Follow up on items at repair shops.
• Notify utilities and telephone companies of your move.
• Schedule utility disconnection and hookup for a specific date.
• Return any borrowed items and retrieve items you've lent out.

Use Drawers

Use bureau drawers to store small, fragile items—secure items in the drawer by filling empty spaces with towels or packing paper.

Cover Chairs

Wrap chair legs with packing paper to shield them during transportation. Keep slipcovers on upholstered chairs and safeguard them by covering them with plastic chair covers.

Use Paper for Breakables

Generously use paper for cushioning to safeguard your dishes and glassware during packing. Line the bottom and top of cartons with paper for added protection. Wrap each dish and glass separately and ensure they are cushioned with crumpled paper. Optimal storage for plates involves stacking them on edge. When packing mirrors and paintings, pad them with paper and place them in designated mirror packs or large boxes, making sure to label each box for easy identification.

Separate Lamps and Lampshades

Secure large lamp bases with padding and wrap smaller lamps before placing them in boxes. Ensure delicate lamp shades are packed separately. Avoid using newsprint to wrap lamp shades or other items susceptible to ink stains. Instead, opt for unprinted wrapping paper, foam wrap, or bubble wrap, available at our location to safeguard delicate items. Avoid storing heavy items on cartons containing lamps or lampshades to prevent damage.

Don't Put Boxes on the Floor

Do not place boxes directly on concrete floors; use pallets or skids to prevent moisture absorption.

How to Pack Your Storage Unit

To better serve you as your local self storage specialists, we've curated a list of storage tips to enhance your packing experience and ensure the safety of your belongings. Should you have any additional inquiries not addressed here, please get in touch with our team!