1. Do not store
food items which could attract rodents or pests.
2. Appliances must
be thoroughly clean and dry. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors slightly open.
Remove and discard vacuum cleaner bags.
3. Store mattresses and box springs on long edges. Wrap for
protection and elevate off of the floor. Use pallets, 2×4’s, plywood… anything
that will keep your items off the floor of the storage unit. It is not advised
to lean items against the walls of the storage unit.
4. Pictures and mirrors should
be wrapped in cardboard and marked “FRAGILE.” Stand them straight up… never
flat.
5. Make a list of packing
materials needed such as boxes, bubble pack, tape, marking pens, rope, drop
cloths, mattress and furniture covers, etc…
6. Disassemble beds and mark
the pieces so that they are easy to put back together.
7. When packing books, pack
them in small cartons that weigh no more than 30 lbs. Alternate bindings and
cushion them with wadded packing paper.
8. Keep your out-of-season
clothes accessible, you may have your belongings in storage longer than
anticipated.
9. When you disassemble
electronics such as computers and stereos (items that have numerous cables),
place small colored stickers on the cable and the same color sticker where the
cable goes. If possible, use the original packing for electronic items.
10. Wax wood furniture before storing it.
Use sheets or cotton cloth to cover furniture.
11. Clothing that ordinarily hangs in a
closet should be packed in a wardrobe carton.
12. Never store anything in sealed plastic
bags. The humidity will cause damage to your goods.
13. Leave a small space between the goods
stored and the storage unit’s walls.
14. Do not stack heavy or folded objects where
they could shift or collapse when you move or need access.
15. Label boxes by numbers – have the master
list separate from your storage space… and never write on the box what its
contents are. Label each box as you seal it. Mark “Fragile” on all boxes with
breakables.
16. Use your bureau drawers as packing space.
Fill them with some of your fragile items and use blankets, sweaters and towels
for padding.
17. Do not use printed newspaper to pack with.
The ink may smudge off on your items.
18. To save space, fill interiors of appliances with
linens, clothes and stuffed toys. Stuff towels between the washing machine and
the inner tub of the washing machine to keep the tub from rotating.
19. Label each box on all four sides with
numbers, seal them with tape and make a list of the contents to take home with
you. The box numbers should correspond with this master list. Pack appliances
in factory boxes whenever possible and cushion with wadded (not shredded)
packing paper.
20. Shredded paper can get into the machines
and cause damage. Wedge appliance doors open while keeping in storage.
21. When packing boxes, try to limit the weight
to 30 lbs. or less per box.
22. When wrapping collectibles or anything
breakable, tape it after you wrap it. This will keep you from mistaking them
for the excess paper you used to fill the box.