Perhaps you’re moving house and need to store things while you search for a new property, or maybe you’re downsizing and need to move your surplus items into long-term storage.
Whatever the reason, a storage unit can keep your items safe and secure. But what’s the best way to pack for storage?
Packing appropriately is crucial and will prevent you from renting more storage space than you need. So, without further ado, here are our 20 top tips for packing for storage.
1. Decide what to store
The first of our packing for storage tips is only to pack what you want to keep. Take the opportunity to declutter; donate any unwanted items to charity, or recycle them.
2. Clean your items
This is one of our most important packing tips: don’t pack anything dirty unless you want an unpleasant surprise when your storage items are returned! Also, make sure that items are 100% dry to avoid mildew forming.
3. Purchase packing supplies
Purchase your boxes for storage and other packing materials in advance. Alongside small, medium and large boxes, you’ll require packing tape, bubble wrap (or an eco-friendly alternative), a marker pen for labelling and covers for furniture. Avoid packing things in standard plastic bags because they can trap moisture and encourage mould.
4. Know what not to pack
What should you not pack in a storage unit? It’s simple: hazardous items and perishables.
You can’t store dangerous items, and you shouldn’t store perishables either. Generally, avoid storing food, plants, flammable/corrosive substances, scented items and liquids.
5. Create a packing list
What should you not pack in a storage unit? It’s simple: hazardous items and perishables.
You can’t store dangerous items, and you shouldn’t store perishables either. Generally, avoid storing food, plants, flammable/corrosive substances, scented items and liquids.
6. Don’t overpack boxes
If your boxes are bulging, they’re too full, and you’ll need to take out a couple of items. If your boxes are too empty, the items inside will likely move around and get damaged. Make sure you can stack boxes comfortably and fill gaps with packing cubes.
Pack heavy items in small boxes and vice versa.
7. Disassemble your furniture
Take furniture apart, place the screws in a bag, and tape it to the item. Disassembling makes things easier for your removal company and helps you pack smarter.
8. Utilise suitcases
Why not use your suitcases to store clothes if you don’t need them?
9. Vacuum pack big items
You may want to consider vacuum packing big items like duvets and towels. Again, this will help ensure you don’t pay for more storage space than you need.
10. Know how to pack furniture
Once you’ve disassembled your furniture, wrap each segment in sheets or bubble wrap to prevent them from damage, dust and scratches. You can use any drawers or wardrobe space to store items like clothes and bed linen.
11. Know how to pack mattresses
One of our top packing tips for long-term storage is to air out your mattress and ensure it’s completely dry before you pack it into a specialised mattress storage bag. If there’s no zip, tape up the open end of the mattress bag. It’s important to lay your mattress flat in the storage unit – they aren’t designed to be stored on their side.
12. Know how to pack clothes
There are many ways to store clothes: the method you choose will depend to some extent on your budget. As well as unused suitcases, you could pack them in a specialised wardrobe box and vacuum pack bulky items such as coats and jackets.
13. Know how to pack appliances
As with all of your items, you need to ensure your appliances are completely dry before moving them into storage. Drain your washing machine and dishwasher, and ensure that your appliances are nice and clean. When packing them up, use furniture, blankets and dust sheets.
14. Know how to pack electronics
Pack electronics items like TVs in their original packaging, if possible. Failing that, find sturdy, appropriately-sized boxes for them and pad out any empty spaces with packing cubes or an equivalent material. Ensure containers are sealed to keep dust and moisture out when your items are in storage.
15. Know how to pack books
Pack books into small cardboard boxes and wrap any vintage or valuable ones in an extra layer of soft packing paper. Place them flat in the box to avoid damaging the spines.
16. Know how to pack tools
Don’t forget about the garden!
Pack your tools and garden essentials properly. Place tools in your toolbox and protect the blades of sharp tools with bubble wrap. (Make sure they’re clean and soil-free first.) Also, take batteries out of any battery-powered appliances.
17. Know how to pack fragile items
Pack fragile items in an extra layer of bubble wrap, line packing boxes with padding, so your items are more likely to survive any knocks, and pad in-between items. Don’t forget to label the box “FRAGILE”.
18. Know how to pack art
When packing up your artwork, we suggest protecting the corners with special cardboard corners for picture frames. You can also put two pieces of packing tape in an X on the glass so that if it breaks, it’s less likely to damage your picture.
19. Label each box clearly
Don’t forget to label each box with what’s inside so that you don’t spend hours searching for items on the other side!
20. Arrange boxes correctly
So, how do you pack a storage unit? It’s simpler than you might think.
Make sure the heaviest boxes are stacked at the bottom, create a walkway in the middle of the unit, and make sure the items you might need first are easily accessible.