Storage Tips

Whether you are using a storage unit for the first time or just want to make your experience easier, we are here to help. Continue reading to receive helpful tips and tricks for preparing your items for long-term storage.

Ready to begin storing your items at a facility managed by The Storage Manager? Browse through our list of facilities to find the one that is closest to you and rent your storage unit online today.

Choosing the Right Storage Unit

The first step to choosing the perfect storage unit is to think about the amount and size of the items you will need storage for. At The Storage Manager, we offer storage units in a wide variety of sizes to make sure you have all the additional space you need. If all you need is space for a few boxes or small items, our 5×5 unit should work just fine. However, if you require lots of space for multiple large items, one of our larger 10×20 or 10×30 units may be the best option. If you aren’t quite sure how much additional space you need, take a look at our unit size guide.

In addition to the size of your items, you will also need to consider the material they are made of. Storing items made of delicate materials such as leather, lace, wood, or metal in a standard unit could spell trouble. If you are worried about these items becoming damaged due to extreme weather conditions or fluctuating temperatures, choose a temperature-controlled storage unit instead. These units remain within a consistent temperature range year-round offering an additional layer of protection for delicate items. Find this feature at select facilities today.

How To Prepare Items for Long-Term Storage

Once you’ve decided which unit best matches your storage needs, it’s time to prepare your items for storage. First, you will need to gather all the necessary materials needed to store your items. This includes boxes in a variety of sizes, packing tape, bubble wrap, furniture covers, and anything else you think you might need. As you are packing things into boxes, you will also want to make sure to label everything to ensure you can easily find everything whenever you need to access your items.

The next step is sorting your items and preparing items to be packed away. When packing clothes, it would be best to store them in garment bags or still on the hangers before being folded and placed in a box. Books and other paper documents need to be laid flat in boxes. Other items such as furniture, items made of a delicate material, and vehicles will need a bit more care and preparation as you pack them away for long-term storage.

Furniture

The first step to preparing your furniture for long-term storage is cleaning everything. If it is made of wood, remove dust and dirt, and fix any damage that the furniture has. If possible, it’s a good idea to take everything apart and place screws into a plastic bag for safekeeping. Once it’s been taken apart, the individual pieces can be placed into boxes or other storage containers and cushions can be stored in vacuum-sealed bags. If the furniture cannot be disassembled, simply place a furniture cover over it to protect it against dust and damage caused by other items.

Items Made of Delicate Materials

As you are packing away items that are made of delicate materials such as wood, glass, and metal, you need to take extra care as you are packing them away. Anything made of wood or metal should be cleaned and completely dry to prevent it from warping or rusting while in storage. If it’s made of glass, wrap it in bubble wrap and store it in a container with soft items that are unlikely to cause any damage such as blankets or pillows.

Vehicles

Both small and large vehicles require a certain amount of preparation to ensure they will be ready to go when you’re ready to use them again. For smaller vehicles such as cars or four-wheelers, all you need to do is ensure it is in working order and free of scratches or other damage to prevent rust from forming. You will also probably want to get any sort of maintenance taken care of if you plan on storing it for a longer period of time, such as changing the oil and adding a fuel stabilizer.

For larger vehicles such as RVs and boats, you will need to clean the interiors and exteriors. You will also need to flush out the engine’s cooling system on top of changing the oil and adding a fuel stabilizer as you would with smaller vehicles. Finally, it is smart to invest in a cover no matter what size your vehicle is to protect it against scratching and rusting.

Moving Into Your Storage Unit

The one thing to keep in mind as you are placing items into your storage unit is what items you will need direct access to on a frequent basis. Those items will need to be placed toward the front of your unit to allow you to grab them and go each time you need to. You will also need to keep in mind that metal items, paper documents, and clothing should not be placed on the ground. These items would be better off on a shelf or stacked on top of wooden pallets. You may also consider investing in shelves or hooks to hang inside your storage unit for clothes and other items you may want to keep off the ground.

Another thing to consider is the weight of each of your items. You don’t want to place large or heavy items on top of weaker or lighter items that may collapse. Be strategic and store heavy boxes or totes on the bottom with lighter and more delicate items on top of them. Finally, you also need to be aware of the items we prohibit you from storing in your storage unit. These items include liquids, explosives, firearms, flammable materials, toxic materials, and anything that is perishable. For questions about specific items, contact your storage facility’s main office.

Pack Your Items Into Your Storage Unit Today

Now that you’ve gone through all the necessary steps for preparing your items for storage, the only thing left to do is rent your storage unit from one of our facilities. We offer spacious storage units at several convenient locations. In addition to providing additional storage space in a wide variety of sizes, we are also proud to offer several key features including temperature-controlled storage, boat and RV storage, drive-up access, and much more.

Find the storage facility closest to you and rent or reserve your storage unit online today.