Renting a self-storage unit means creating more space at home or business accommodations, which is amazing. Imagine having an organized and decluttered space which means more productivity.
Also, keeping your valuables in a self-storage unit you dont require at the moment means 24*7 protection, perfectly controlled condition, and safety. It will ensure no physical or environmental damage, which gives you great peace of mind.
One thing which is crucial while opting for self storage units is packing. Properly packing your valuables, which will be stored at a self storage unit, means enhanced safety, long life, and quality maintenance.
Also, packing your belongings according to short-term and long-term storage needs is important. Of course, self-storage units are perfect and ensure protection at all costs, but you enhance it even more with proper packing. So, if you plan on renting a self-storage unit for various needs, you must know the self storage tips of storage and packing discussed here.
Dos of packing for self storage
Here are some do’s for personal self-storage which will help you pack more efficiently:
Create a Packing Strategy
The first step for packing your belongings for self storage units is to create a strategy. First of all, consider all the things you want to store in the unit. Then, according to it, pick the self storage unit size.
The storage companies have flexible sizes which suit individual needs.Then categorize all the items into fragile and nonfragile items. If an item needs special care, you must consider special packing.
Some of the key considerations for creating a packing strategy are:
- Buying sufficient packing stuff
- Categorizing fragile and non-fragile items
- The duration of storage
- Which items can disassemble
- The size of the boxes
Choose Quality Boxes and Containers
The next step is to buy quality packing and storage boxes and containers for your items according to size. Again, it’s best to choose the best and spend a little more than compromise your valuables.
This will ensure protection from any external factor for a long time. In addition, the quality boxes don’t damage due to falling or any other environmental change.
Go for Bubble Wraps
Bubble wraps are the best choice for packing dishware, glassware, and electronics. The cushioning effect safeguards the item during transportation. Moreover, cushioning an external layer protects your valuables from external factors.
For example, you can bubble wrap around corners to avoid accidents. Furthermore, bubble wraps are easily available and affordable means of packing.
Labeling is Important
Labeling is, so far, one of the easiest and most important steps during packing. All your boxes must have labels mentioning the items, fragile or non-fragile, and other necessary details. This will help you manage and protect your belongings according to the label information.
Disassemble the Items
You may have some furniture, electronics, or appliances which can be disassembled. Packaging them in a disassembled state is best as it saves lots of space. Also, disassembling ensures enhanced protection. It is easy to assemble the items once you return them from the storage units.
You can Consider Pallets/ Boards
The pallets and boards are a great way of heightening your boxes. Keeping a distance above the ground ensures extra safety. It’s best for furniture self-storage as it safeguards the packing from ground contact. The excess moisture and friction with the ground can deplete the quality of the boxes. Therefore, palettes and boards for raising height are important.
Don’ts of packing for self-storage
Following the dos are important, but also understanding common mistakes people make is necessary. Here are some don’ts you must avoid for storage packing:
Don’t Overpack the Boxes
Packing too tight or packing many things in one box must be corrected. First, tight packing may degrade the quality of your items. For example, close packing can cause friction.
Also, overpacking has a higher risk of boxes tearing up due to excess weight. So, you must add the maximum load a box can withstand. A box having ample space and minimum weight is best for maintaining quality and reducing accidents.
Don’t Forget to Create an Inventory
Remember that creating an inventory self-storage facility is important. First, you must check all the box labels and mark the inventory to know you have packed everything. Also, this inventory is handy when taking items from self-storage.
Don’t Pack Fragile Items at the Bottom
The ultimate and one of the most important goals of right packing is protecting fragile at all costs. To do so, pack them at the top of any box or container so they don’t have extra weight.
Also, the bubble wraps the fragile and places them at the top in the box and the self storage units. A smart approach towards packing your fragile item makes your packing accurate.
Don’t Store Dirty or Wet Items
Your packing journey becomes successful if you assess all your belongings thoroughly. First, you must wipe all the appliances, furniture, or items. Then, the valuables must be completely dry before bubble wrapping or adding them to boxes.
The reasons are water can attract moisture and hence the growth of unwanted substances, which will ultimately degrade your items. Also, cleaning everything as a dirty surface becomes a breeding ground for many molds, bacteria, etc. So, quickly check all the things for the safest storage.
A safe self-storage approach starts with perfect planning. The tip is to narrow down all your packing requirements, including the nature and size of the items. Then, don’t pack hap hazardous; take your time to pack.
Using quality boxes, and bubble wraps, adding labels lets you have the most organized and easy-to-manage self-storage units. So, follow all the do’s and take care of all the don’ts for safe and smart storage.
If you want the safest, most modern, and most flexible self-storage units, contact Big Storage now! Big Storage has custom sizes, temperature control settings, 24*7 surveillance, and the best storage units in Cape Town and its vicinity.
