How to Protect Your Items from Damage in Long-Term Storage
If you need to store household items for a long period of time, your packing strategy should be different than if you were just packing up to move a home. If items will be stored on top of one another in a tight space, there are some precautions that you can take. Here are four things that you should do to keep items free from damage while in mini storage.
1. Temperature-Controlled Storage Facilities
Excessive heat and cold can damage your items over time, so knowing the temperature range within your storage unit is key. Make sure to find out if storage facilities offer temperature-controlled units. Usually if storage areas are inside a larger indoor warehouse, temperature control will be a feature of the facility. Extreme temperatures can cause furnishings to warp and appliances and electronics to rust or end up with mechanical damages.
2. Protective Covers
You might think since your storage unit is indoors and has a door that your items will be fine as-is in the unit. If you are leaving furnishings and boxed-up items for any length of time, though, another layer of plastic can help keep your items safer. Plastic bins are better than cardboard in case any moisture gets into your storage unit. Invest in plastic coverings for furnishings to keep them free from settling dust, discoloration, or mold and mildew.
3. Heavy Items on the Bottom
It might seem obvious, but be sure to pack heavy things first and lighter items on top. If this is how your moving truck was initially packed, you might inadvertently start stacking lighter boxes and bins into the storage unit first. Items will shift and settle over time, and boxes can start to sag. Be sure that boxes with books and heavy items bear the brunt of the weight of lighter boxes full of clothing on top. If you will be stacking items on a couch, be sure to remove cushions and stack these on top of something else so they don't lose their shape.
4. Keep Airflow
You might think the best way to get the most out of your mini storage unit is to cram everything in as compactly as possible. You might inadvertently be setting a trap for mold and deterioration. If you can leave an inch or so between boxes and the wall and in between one another, airflow will have a chance to work through your unit, keeping mold and mildew from forming.
If you are strategic with your storage packing, you can give your household items more of a fighting chance. If you can pack smart, your items can last for a long time without damage. Don't just haphazardly pack up your storage unit. Make sure your items are packed well for long-term storage. Now that you're all ready to pack, contact a representative from a facility like Rock Solid Storage LLC and choose your storage unit.
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