Storage and Packing Tips

Making the most of a self-storage unit involves strategic and intentional packing and storage methods. Knowing how to prepare and organize your items for storage effectively is a skill that translates beyond your storage facility, helping you better preserve your belongings in the long term.

Trunk Space Storage has gathered some essential tips and tricks to assist you in optimizing your storage process.

Packing Tips

• Prepare yourself. Have boxes, packing materials, pens, tape, and furniture covers organized and ready before packing. If you’re unsure how to navigate your home improvement store, we have all these supplies available to purchase on-site at Trunk Space Storage.
• Start sooner rather than later. Packing is always more involved than anticipated, so allow ample time to do it right. 
• Label it. Label boxes on all sides, and keep a list of what you’ve packed as you go. Be sure to denote fragile items.
• Limit your box sizes. Your boxes shouldn’t exceed 30 pounds and should be small enough to carry easily. Additional space in boxes should be filled with packing materials to provide a cushion for stacking.
• Get appliances ready. Clean and dry any appliances you plan on storing. Tape shut doors and drawers during transportation to and from your unit, and wedge doors open during storage. Moveable parts need to be padded.
• Store inside of everything. To save room, use the space inside drawers, dressers, and large appliances to store smaller items. Be careful to pad any fragile items with packing material or towels.
• Seal it up. All boxes should be tightly sealed with packing tape to prevent dust and germs from settling inside.
• Protect your furniture. Remove or wrap furniture legs with protective padding, tie bed rails together, and cover mattresses, chairs, and other furniture with covers or plastic bags.
• Pad fragile possessions. Individually wrap glassware and plates with packing paper and stack plates vertically. Books need to be laid flat and lined with paper.
• Hang up clothes. Keep your clothes and draperies on hangers in wardrobe boxes to help preserve their condition.
• Protect wall décor. Photographs, art, and paintings should be flat and taped between two pieces of cardboard. Padd mirrors and picture frames with packing paper and place them in large boxes. 

Storing Tips

• Get some pallets. Avoid stacking boxes directly on the floor of your unit by using skids or pallets, allowing for more airflow.
• Have a stacking strategy. Place your heaviest belongings on the bottom of your unit, and layer smaller, more fragile items as you go up. Stack flat furniture, like tables and dressers, top to top to maximize space. Put items you will need to remove frequently toward the front of your unit.
• Create a path. Make a central aisle through your unit to easily access storage toward the back.
• Keep legs off the floor. If you cannot remove the legs of your furniture, lay them on end, wrapping the surface of whatever end is on the ground.
• Watch for prohibited items. A number of items are prohibited by law and building codes to be kept in storage units. See this list on our FAQ page.
• Lay mattresses flat. Mattresses should be covered and laid horizontally on a level surface.
• Drain your engines. Gasoline and oil must be drained from any item with an engine, including lawnmowers.
• Check for temperature-sensitive items. If you plan on storing items made of wood, paper, leather, lace, or metal, consider renting climate-controlled storage to help protect them from extreme temperatures while in storage.
• Put long-handled items in cans. A trash can is a good storage place for shovels, rakes, hoes, and other items with long handles.
• Wipe down metal. To help prevent rust, clean metal surfaces with a cloth containing a few drops of machine oil.

If you have additional questions on how to store with Trunk Space Storage, feel free to contact us.