STORAGE TIPS

Below are some tips to help you pack and store your valuables.
 

Getting Started

First, gather all of the supplies you'll need such as boxes, tape, marking pens, rope or twine, paper, wardrobe cartons, mattress covers, shelving, cardboard for floor padding, and more. We also offer many supplies in our Store.

General Tips

  • Start packing two weeks in advance of your moving day.
  • It's always easier to stack boxes that have the same dimensions.
  • Utilize smaller boxes for heavier items.
  • Utilize larger boxes for lightweight bulky items.
  • Fill each box completely and compactly.
  • Do not overfill or under utilize each packing box.
  • List the contents of each box on a piece of paper and attach the list to each box.
  • Seal all boxes with heavy duty packing tape.
  • Avoid packing fragile and heavy items in the same box.
  • Make sure the boxes you use are able to withstand 20-30 lbs. without tearing or collapsing.
  • When packing your storage unit, make sure to leave room for air to circulate.
  • Always stack fragile and lighter boxes on top of heavier boxes to protect them from breaking.
  • Fill boxes to capacity to prevent collapsing.
  • Fragile and easily broken items can be packed inside the drawers of a dresser or stored inside a clean refrigerator or microwave.
  • Don't over pack boxes to weigh more than 30 lbs.
  • Use a piece of cardboard with plastic on top to pad the floor to protect furniture.
  • Label all boxes well – you are going to want to know what’s in them and where they go on moving day.
  • Do not place carboard boxes directly on the concrete floor.

Appliances

  • Refrigerators and freezers should be completely cleaned and dry, and stored with its door slightly ajar.
  • Some items can be stored inside large appliances
  • Boxes can be stacked on top of stove, refrigerator and freezers.
  • Disconnect washing machine, dishwasher, and dryer hoses, put in plastic bags and place them inside.
  • Use towels to protect items placed inside tubs.

Beds

  • Disassemble the bed frame. Tie rails and crosspieces together with rope or tape.
  • Use mattress bags to keep mattresses clean.
  • After disassembling, keep all small pieces, eg nuts and bolts, in a bag taped to the bed frame.

Bedding, Clothing, Curtains, Drapes, and Linens

  • Clothing, curtains, and drapes should be stored on hangers.
  • If hanging cartons are not available, such items should be carefully folded and stored in dresser drawers or cedar chest along with bedding and linens.
  • Food crumbs or stains should be removed before storing and avoid anything that may attract pests.
  • Use some linens to wrap hard to wrap fragile items or to cushion furniture.

Books and Documents

  • Pack books flat and alternate the bindings to protect their spines.
  • Don't place book boxes directly on concrete floors. Place them on pallets, skids or shelves.
  • Use packing material to fill out empty spaces in the boxes.
  • Don't pack fragile items in the same box with books.
  • Don't overfill cartons. Books are heavy and can tear through the bottom of a box.

Curtains / Shower Rods

  • Remove hardware from walls, and place in small plastic bags. Tape hardware around the rods.

Dishes and Glassware

  • Place a layer of packing inside the bottom and at the top of boxes containing glassware.
  • All glass items should be individually wrapped; nest cups and bowls in sets, and stand plates, saucers and platters on edge.
  • Wrapped glasses should be placed near the top of cartons.
  • Fill all gaps with packing.
  • Label all boxes containing glassware and do not place heavy items on boxes containing glassware.
  • Do not use old newspapers to wrap dishes. The print will transfer onto dishes, making rewashing a must. Non-print newsprint available at our office.

Dressers and Bureaus

  • Fill drawers with breakable items and cushion with loose clothes or linens.
  • Secure drawers with a pad or blanket (tape can remove the finish from furniture) and tie with rope.
  • Don't overload drawers with heavy items. 
  • It helps to remove the drawers when actually moving the piece of furniture.

Furniture

  • Place a pallet or plastic sheeting and cardboard on the floor and stand sofas and mattresses on end.
  • Disassemble beds and tables and wrap table legs in paper. If a table can not be disassembled, place padding on the floor and place table on its top with legs pointing up.
  • Use dresser tops for stacking cartons and dresser drawers for linens or small delicate items. 
  • Keep upholstery off the floor.
  • Most lightweight chairs can be stacked or placed upside down on tables which cannot be disassembled.
  • Place light cotton covers on furniture.

Lamps

  • Wrap large lamp bases in padding wrap smaller lamps and place them in boxes, and pack delicate lampshades separately.
  • Do not use newspaper to wrap lampshades or any other good that may be damaged by ink stains.
  • Do not store heavy items on cartons containing lamps or shades.

Metal Objects

  • Protect your tools and bicycles from rust by oiling them before storing.
  • Store away from exposed items to avoid oil staining.

Mirrors, Windows, and Screens

  • These items should be wrapped and stored on edge, not flat.
  • Mark "GLASS" on the outside in several places to prevent mishandling.

Tool and Gardening Equipment

  • Drain hoses, coil and pack in cartons. Fill remaining space with lawn sprinklers, small garden tool, etc.
  • Tie rakes, brooms, shovels, and long handled tool together with tape or rope.
  • Make sure to drain fuel out of any gas-powered equipment.

TVs and Radios

  • Pack upright in cartons that are well padded on all sides.
  • Mark all sides with arrows pointing up and the word "UP".

Stereos and Other Electronic Equipment

  • Tie CDs or cassettes in small bundles when packing. Use small boxes to avoid over packing.
  • Fill unused space with wadded paper.
  • Records should be stored on edge to prevent warping.
  • Pack components and cables in well-padded cartons marked fragile.