Whether you want to have your home cleaned or you are relocating abroad, storing your goods can be a fantastic idea.
Preparing your items for storage is more than stuffing them in a box, though. You should take proper preparation and plan out the schedule and location first.
The best thing is that you can store your items safely with just a few easy tips. Here’s how to prepare your items for storage with the least effort.
Decluttering
Before you begin packing, group items into categories. Separate what you want to keep or store and what should be discarded or donated.
Go into each room and go into detail, listing out exactly what you want to hold and what you will remove. If you have any doubts, consider whether you’ll need this in the near future.
This will help you decide exactly what to throw away and what to keep. It will lessen your costs for storage and make things easier to organise or access sometime later.
Once you’re done compiling the list, gather everything that you’ll be sending to storage. Contacting and enlisting a professional removals company will help you with the moving and storing of your items, as well as creating and maintaining an inventory list.
Choosing the Right Storage Space
Picking the right storage unit is a crucial step in ensuring the safety of your belongings. Not all facilities will suit your needs. If you need temporary storage for a few months, a basic facility will do the job.
If you want to store items for a longer period of time, look for a controlled climate storage unit. It is worth considering these places to protect your items from extreme heat or humidity in the future.
Spending a little bit more to protect your stuff is just smart, especially if you have any temperature-sensitive items. Paper will deteriorate, and electronics will get ruined if the temperature and humidity levels are not kept in check.
Another option is to leave all packing, moving, and storage to the professional removals firm. That can be an easy option for those who don’t like the hassle of moving the belongings in and out themselves.
Packing for Storage
Ensuring that your belongings remain in good condition requires careful planning. These tips will help you pack your items like a pro.
Your go-to packing essentials are strong boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and protective blankets, which are reliable packing materials. Using weak or worn-out boxes can potentially damage your belongings. Check if removal companies offer packing materials and whether they can handle packing your items for you.
To make the most of your space and simplify the packing and moving process, large furniture like bed frames or tables should be disassembled. To avoid losing screws or small parts, store them in clearly labelled bags and attach them to the corresponding item.
Wrap delicate objects, such as mirrors, glassware, or electronics, separately and one at a time using bubble wrap or padded blankets. While in transportation, this additional layer of protection will help prevent any damage and scratches.
Pack according to the item weight. To do this, start by placing lighter items on top and the heavier items at the bottom of the boxes. This will help keep the boxes balanced and prevent them from tipping over. Avoid overpacking them, as the boxes can become too heavy to move and more prone to damage.
Labels are essential when storing items. Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. If you’ve made an inventory, ensure your labels correspond with your list to make it easier to locate these items later. This is especially helpful if you need to retrieve something without unpacking everything.
Store bedding and clothes in vacuum-sealed bags. To save space and protect fabrics from dust and moisture, think about using this bag. This is particularly helpful when you are storing bedding, linens, or garments. It’s an excellent method to keep things neat and to compress large items.
Storing Electronics and Appliances
Storing appliances needs extra care to ensure you preserve them in a perfect state. Here are some tips.
If you have the original boxes of your devices, use them. If not, use an anti-static bubble wrap after packing the electronics in padded boxes. You should also remove their batteries before storing them.
Large machines should be carefully cleaned before storage to prevent mould and unpleasant odours. Leave the doors of refrigerators and freezers slightly open to allow ventilation.
Finally, using professional removal services to handle fragile or bulky items can save you time and effort. They know how to pack and transport these items safely and reduce the risk of damage.
Maximising Space
Making the most of your storage space can help you save money and make it easier to access your items later. Here are some tips to make the most of the available space.
Stack boxes efficiently by placing the sturdiest and heaviest boxes at the bottom. The smaller boxes can be placed on top of the bigger boxes. Leave enough space between the stacks to easily move around the storage unit.
Use the vertical space available in your room rather than just piling boxes from the floor upwards. Keeping things organised helps make items more accessible without digging through everything.
Place large ones upright to make room on the floor. Place mattresses or heavy furniture against a wall. They should be securely fastened so they won’t fall over.
Also, leave a small aisle in your unit for a walkway to access boxes and items at the back of the storage space. This will save you time and hassle when retrieving something from storage.
Group similar items together to make it easier to find anything you need. Organise items by room or category. For example, keep all kitchen utensils in one section and bedroom items in another.
When To Use Professional Removals Services
This is one of the easiest ways to prepare your belongings for storage. Removals services can guarantee your goods are correctly packed and manage the heavy lifting.
This can be an ideal choice if you’re short on time or dealing with large, valuable, or heavy items. Removal experts have the necessary tools and expertise to store your belongings safely and efficiently.
When choosing a removals company, it’s important to do some research. Check reviews, compare quotes, and confirm whether their insurance covers your items during transit.
Once your items are packed and delivered, it’s essential to consider security. Ensure the facility offers security features like on-site staff and surveillance cameras. Investing in a high-quality lock for your unit also adds extra protection.
Conclusion
Preparing your items for storage during your move doesn’t have to be difficult. By decluttering and packing them properly, you can keep your items safe and secure.
Choosing the right storage location will not only secure your belongings but it will also give you peace of mind by knowing your things are far from harm’s way.