If you’re storing clothes, furniture, or other sensitive items you might be interested in a climate-controlled storage unit. Climate control helps to protect your belongings from extreme temperatures, humidity and other outside conditions.
Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your storage unit.
1. Now is the time to clean house! You can give some of your belongings away to friends and family (or donate items to charity) rather than taking them with you or putting them into storage.
2. Common sense and state law determines what may be stored. Therefore, never store firearms, illicit drugs or drug paraphernalia, live animals, perishables, liquids, explosives, flammable liquids and fuels, toxic materials or other hazardous items.
3. Don’t store any sort of food item in a storage unit as it will attract rodents.
4. Place the items you’ll need most often at the front of the unit. Be sure not to cover them with other less important boxes.
5. Keep out of season clothes accessible, you may have your belongings in storage longer than anticipated.
6. Make sure to store important paperwork or anything else you may need access often in the front of the unit.
7. Use pallets or blankets to keep items off the floor of the unit to guard against dampness. Any concrete floor may become cold and damp.
8. Leave a small space between the wall and your storage items to allow for ventilation.
9. Make sure that all appliances are clean and dry before storing them. Leave appliances slightly ajar to prevent mildew.
10. Use trash cans to store shovels, hoes and rakes. These items are awkward and hard to pack, using this method will keep them organized and keep you safe when handling them.
11. Drain gasoline and oil from lawn mowers and other items with small engines.
12. Sofas and loveseats can be stored on end to save floor space. Always place a protective waterproof cover under the end on the floor. Cushions should be wrapped in plastic and placed on top.
13. If you stand mattresses on end, be sure to "prop" them up to stand straight or they may bend out of shape and become lumpy.
14. Protecting your stored goods inside boxes or plastic bins will save moving, unpacking and cleaning time. Rubbermaid containers are great to store your items, they have tight fitting lids and stack easily.
15. Use the full height of your storage unit with your heaviest items on the bottom and lighter items on top.
16. Label ALL boxes for easy identification.
17. Protect delicate items with bubble wrap, packing peanuts or shredded paper.
18. Avoid packing fragile and heavy items in the same box.
19. Take furniture apart to optimize space. Any bolts, screws or parts should be put in a plastic bag and taped to the underside of table tops.
20. Chairs should be stacked seat to seat with paper or cloth between them.
21. If you plan to access your stored items frequently, invest in a unit one size larger and leave an aisle in the center for easy access.
22. Pack blankets, draperies and dress clothes on hangers in a wardrobe box to keep them free of wrinkles and easy to access.
23. If you’re storing tables and other furniture, remove legs and wrap them together. Then store tabletops and sofas on end to save space. You can lean them against one of the storage unit walls.