| Storage and Packing Tips |
General | Appliances | Beds | Furniture | Books & Papers
Collectibles & Other Small Items | Dishes & Glassware | Pots & Pans
Mirrors & Artwork | Outdoor Items
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General: |
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- Before you begin packing, think about all of the packing materials that you will need to safely store your property. For example: paper, boxes, rope, bubble wrap, tape, mattress and furniture covers, wooden pallets, shelving, etc.
- Visit the storage facility with a list of what you need to store so that you can determine what size unit you will need.
- Place heavier boxes on the bottom of your storage unit.
- Place heavier items in smaller boxes for easier lifting.
- It's a good idea to place wooden pallets, 2x4s, plywood, or anything that will help keep your property from sitting directly on the cement floor where they might collect moisture.
- If you are going to be storing long term, place items that you will have to access often closer to the front of the unit. It is also helpful to leave a hallway down the center or on one side of the unit so that you can access items in the back.
- Label boxes on all sides, and keep a list of their contents at home so that you can easily retrieve what you need.
- Don't cover your belongings with plastic. Plastic retains damaging moisture.
- Don't store food in the unit -- food attracts pests.
- Don't use newspaper to pack items that are susceptible to stains from the smudging ink.
- Don't store items that might break if frozen in a non-climate controlled unit.
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Appliances: |
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- Clean all appliances inside and out before storing.
- Where possible, store appliances in factory boxes.
- When moving, tape or tie closed all moveable drawers and doors. While in storage, all appliance doors should be left slightly ajar to avoid mildew.
- Refrigerators, freezers, washers and dryers can be used as valuable storage space for blankets or clothing.
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Beds: |
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- Disassemble beds and label pieces so they are easy to match up and reassemble.
- Wrap mattresses in mattress covers or old sheets -- never plastic.
- Stand mattresses on end for most efficient use of space.
- Always put something under the mattress to keep it off the cement floor. Try not to lean a mattress against the wall in a non-climate controlled unit as condensation might form.
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Furniture: |
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- Wax wood furniture before storing to prevent moisture absorption.
- Do not use plastic to cover items as moisture can be trapped. Use old sheets or blankets to cover furniture.
- Stand sofas on end for the most efficient use of space.
- Always put something under furniture to keep it off of the cement floor.
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Books & Papers |
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- Pack books and papers flat if possible.
- Use small boxes to keep the weight down.
- Label each box and keep detailed lists of the contents. This makes it easier to retrieve specific books or papers later.
- Always put something between the boxes and the cement floor to prevent moisture absorption.
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Collectibles & Other Small Items: |
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- Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap and tape securely.
- Place in small boxes and place the boxes on top of the pile.
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Dishes & Glassware: |
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- There are special boxes available with dividers for the storing and moving of dishes and glassware.
- Wrap each item with paper or foam.
- Always store dishes on their edge. Never store dishes flat.
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Pots & Pans: |
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- Pots and pans can be stored in boxes with newspaper cushioning.
- It may be advisable to coat certain pots and pans with a little cooking oil before storage to prevent rusting.
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Mirrors & Artwork: |
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- Mirrors and Artwork should always be stored vertically -- never store flat.
- There are specially designed boxes available for the storage of large mirrors and artwork.
- The use of bubble wrap and foam is recommended.
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Outdoor Items: |
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- It may be advisable to give tools a coating of oil to prevent rusting.
- Outdoor furniture should be disassembled where possible to save space.
- Any engines should be drained and free from combustibles and prepared for storage according to their maintenance manuals.
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| This information is not offered as a guarantee of trouble free storage, but is merely intended to assist you in your storage and packing. |
| For more information on storage and our facilities, please contact Southend Storage. |