1 min read
How to prepare your things for a storage unit
What you put in a storage unit may stay untouched for months or years. An hour of preparation avoids smells, knocks and the box you can never find. These are the steps that work best.
Clean and dry everything before storing it
Store clothes washed and dry, appliances empty and clean with the door slightly open, and furniture free of damp. Anything that goes in damp or dirty ends up smelling. If you are unsure whether something can be stored, ask us before bringing it: food, flammable liquids and products that can smell or spill are not a good idea.
Boxes of the same size, properly closed
Boxes of a similar size stack better and make use of the height of the unit. Put heavy things in small boxes and light things in large ones, so you can lift them without hurting yourself. Close each one with tape and do not overfill it.
Label two sides of every box with its contents and the room it came from. When you look for the sheets in six months, you will be glad you did.
Take apart and protect furniture
Take apart what you can (legs, shelves, beds) and keep the screws in a bag taped to the piece. Cover mattresses, sofas and mirrors with covers or blankets so they do not gather dust or get scratched. Mattresses go upright or lying flat, never folded.
Arrange sensibly: heavy at the bottom, a path down the middle
Heavy items go at the bottom and at the back; what you will need goes near the door. Leave a path so you can reach everything without moving anything. If you are unsure how much space you need, start with our size guide or the calculator. And take photos of how it looks and a list of what is inside: it will save you time if you need to take something out later.