Make an inventory of the items you are storing and keep it in a safe, easy-to-find location. For highly valuable items it is recommended that you take photos as well.

Make a plan on how to organize your unit. This will save you time in the long run.

 You can store couches on end, stack chairs seat to seat, and use larger items to store blankets, clothes, and smaller knickknacks. Furniture with drawers can be utilized as storage places for knick-knacks, china, silverware, and other small items. Wrap them in your tablecloths, towels, or blankets.

 Leave a walkway down the center of your unit to make accessing all items easier.

 Stack your things in similar sized boxes as they will be easier to stack. Be sure that the boxes are strong enough to hold 25-30 pounds.

 Stack heavier items on the bottom - But be sure not to over pack boxes so they get too heavy and dangerous.

 Avoid stacking things directly against the wall to leave room for some air flow in the unit.

 Use pallets or blankets to keep items off the floor of the unit.

 You may need to purchase shelving units to better utilize your storage space.

 Label all boxes on all sides. Again, this will save you time in the long run.

 Pack items that you will be frequently accessing towards the front - common sense, we know.

 Take apart large items, such as bed frames, tables, etc. This will save space and prevent them from breaking. Be sure to keep all parts together. Keep screws and smaller items handy by taping them to the larger item they belong to.

 If storing appliances be sure to clean them out first! Leave the door slightly open on refrigerators and microwaves to prevent mildew.

 Rub a small amount of oil on metal tools, bikes, etc. This will prevent rust - but be sure to separate these to not get oil on other things!

 Store mirrors and paintings on end, do not lay them flat. Wrap and indicate they are fragile.

 Lay blankets or cloth over and between furniture and mattresses to prevent scratching, ripping, and getting dusty (don’t forget to place something on the floor beneath them).

 Cushions should be wrapped.

 Mattresses should be propped up so they stand straight to prevent them from bending out of shape.

 Place mouse packets in the corners of your unit. DO NOT OPEN THEM! If packets are empty, replace them. You can always purchase them in the office. We do not have a problem, but, if everyone keeps these packets there units we won’t have a problem in the future.

If you store a vehicle or a lawnmower always

 



 

•  Store any sort of food item in a storage unit.

   

•  Leave paint, oil, or gasoline in your storage unit. Drain all gas and oil from lawnmowers, snow blowers, etc. It is against the law to store hazardous or combustible materials such as these.

   

•  Put mothballs in boxes, they could possibly leave stains on clothing (place them on the floor).

   

•  Give any untrusted source access codes or keys to your storage unit.

   

•  Hesitate to ask the facility manager any questions you may have before or during move-in!