Is your home packed with items that you don’t want to replace every time you use them, but you only need them a couple times a year? A storage unit is a great place to park belongings you don’t need at the moment. They’re so useful that in the U.S., 11% of households rent one. If you have some items you want to tuck away for safekeeping, these five storage unit tips can help you get the most out of your rental.
5 Organizational Storage Unit Tips
The best units are climate-controlled and securely monitored to prevent theft. However, dust, rodents, and moisture can still damage items. The good news is that a few storage unit tips and tricks can safeguard your belongings, ensuring they’re in prime condition when you reclaim them.
1. Pack According to the Item
Every item requires specific care when put into storage. For instance, delicate dishes, glassware, and ceramics need cushioning to prevent breakage. Packing peanuts work well since they fill all the nooks and crannies, but you can also wrap objects in newspaper to save money. Consider several layers of bubble wrap secured with masking tape for extremely fragile items.
Another great storage unit tip is to pack moisture-sensitive items together. Clothes, books, and other objects that absorb water need extra protection to prevent mold and mildew. Cardboard boxes are a storage go-to but are terrible at keeping out water. For moisture-sensitive items, consider plastic containers with locking lids instead.
Knowing what you can’t keep in a storage unit is also crucial. Most places ban the following:
- Plants and animals
- Food
- Hazardous materials
- Flammable materials
Anything that attracts bugs or rodents is problematic since these critters can eat their way into boxes. In the worst cases, they can breed and spread to other units. Hazardous and combustible materials are dangerous to your belongings, staff, and customers.
2. Clean Items First
Cleaning as you pack can be time-consuming, but this storage unit tip is worth the effort. For one thing, your belongings will be clean when you retrieve them, which means less work in the future. For another, the cleaning process removes dirt that can damage items. Electronics are especially vulnerable to dust, as it can corrode delicate parts.
Thorough cleaning also eliminates crumbs, pollen, and other particles that attract bugs. Moving items out of a garage or outdoor shed is a good opportunity to ensure that no critters stow away in your belongings.
You may also want to deodorize certain items, such as winter coats and mattresses. Their thick fabrics can hold onto smells, which worsen as they sit in a confined space. A little baking soda can keep your belongings from smelling like the storage space later.
3. Create an Inventory
Creating an inventory is a storage unit tip that takes extra time but makes life much easier in the long run. As you pack things away, make a list. Include important information about the items:
- Date of storage
- Value
- Condition
Store this list in a secure place to reference it later. That way, if you’re unsure if you already own an item, you can consult your inventory and avoid purchasing double.
4. Label Everything
Labeling your boxes is the single most useful thing you can do when storing items. Legible, detailed labels help you locate the correct box with minimal searching.
You can make this task easier by grouping similar items. For instance, you may put all your clothes in one box and all your shoes in another. You can also classify objects by function (car tools) or location (kitchen).
Don’t be afraid to go a little overboard when labeling. Color-coding boxes are a neat storage unit tip that can help you recognize the right container at a glance. For example, you can use a blue marker for all household items and a red marker for outdoor gear. If you don’t think you’ll remember the system you created, write it down on your itinerary for future reference.
5. Choose Uniform Containers
It can be tempting to score free boxes from recycling bins, but you may want to think twice before dumpster diving. If you take the cheap route, you’ll end up with an assortment of boxes with different dimensions, which makes stacking difficult.
Purchasing boxes from your local home improvement store is a better idea since they’ll be relatively the same shape. You can find large, medium, and small options for heavy versus delicate items.
FAQs
Are you looking for more storage unit tips? The answers to these frequently asked questions can help you optimize space and convenience.
How Do I Maximize Storage in My Storage Unit?
To maximize storage in your storage unit, create a plan before moving things into the space. Unloading containers willy-nilly may be faster than methodical storage, but it can lead to headaches later. Instead, designate areas for large items, such as furniture, beforehand to ensure everything fits.
Speaking of furniture, don’t be afraid to take things apart. A dismantled bedframe takes up much less space than an intact one.
What Are the Best Tips for Packing a Storage Unit?
The best self-storage unit tips offer greater organization and convenience. A tried-and-true trick is to leave an open walk space to the back of the unit. That way, you can reach all areas without taking everything out.
Another great storage unit tip is to stow the heaviest boxes on the bottom of your stacks and the lightest on top. Doing so ensures delicate items don’t get crushed. You also want to avoid stacking too high, as this makes stacks unstable and requires more effort to reach the bottom-most containers.
Finally, place items you’re most likely to use closer to the front of the unit. That way, you’ll have minimal hassle finding holiday decorations or extra folding chairs when needed.
More Storage Tips From Boat Stop Storage
Boat Stop Storage offers a variety of unit sizes to ensure a good fit for your needs. With the help of a few storage unit tips, you can safely stow your belongings. To learn more, contact Boat Stop Storage at 361-937-2423 today.