Whether you are moving house or simply decluttering and placing some items into household storage away from the home, you will need to plan and organise the packing of these items. Taking the smart approach and preparing properly will save you time, money, effort – and stress! Consider aspects such as delicate or fragile items like glassware and crockery will need special care, so you need to ensure that have the right materials to safely pack and store these items to avoid breakages and damage. Here are some tips on how to prepare your belongings for moving into storage:
Declutter
The first consideration when packing items for storage is to define exactly what is going into storage and what is no longer needed. If you are moving home, you probably won’t want all the same items you have had in your current home, or if you are using storage simply to create space in your current environment, then this is the perfect opportunity to get rid of items you no longer want or need! Having established which of your items you want to go to storage, you can then calculate the size of the self-storage unit you will need to safely keep your valuable possessions. Your unit should be large enough to store your items comfortably – with enough space around them for easy access – but not too big that are you paying for space you don’t need!
Packing Materials
You want your items to be protected both whilst in transit and once placed in your storage unit, so it is important to use the appropriate materials for packing away your items. Box size is your first consideration – a large box may prove heavy once filled and be difficult to lift and safely carry, so consider smaller, more compact boxes, and just use more of them. Wrapping and padding materials are important – use specialised packing materials such as bubble wrap, tissue papers, packing tape, and plastic containers, and these can be supplemented by using newspapers, soft towels, or other soft materials. Furniture and other large items can be protected using blankets and dust covers.
Inventory
An inventory of all the items you are going to store is vital – create a comprehensive list which will allow you to keep track of all the items individually, and you can record the position within the storage unit you have placed each box or item. This list will not only ensure that all your items have been safely delivered into storage but will also help when removing the items from storage and unpacking once retrieved.
Packing
Firstly, ensure that the box you are packing is laid on a flat, even, and secure surface – then lay out your packing materials alongside the box. Use newspaper or specialised packing paper, crumple enough sheets to cover the bottom surface of the box or, depending on the items going into the box, use towelling or cloth materials to provide a base cushion for the items. If wrapping delicate items such as glassware or crockery, ensure you wrap each item individually with plenty of padding materials. If packing more ‘hardy’ items such as books or kitchen appliances, place the heavier items on the bottom and place the lighter items further towards the top – it is a good idea to split each box with both heavy and light items, as this will make them easier to lift and carry as opposed to a box filled with just heavy items. Ensure each box is packed in a compact manner, but not overfilled.
Other Tips
If larger, furniture pieces are going into storage then, wherever possible, dismantle the objects for easier transport and place any screws, bolts and such in clearly marked sealable bags and wrap any delicate parts and tape down any loose elements. If larger items cannot be dismantled, then make use of the space inside them – for example, a wardrobe or chest of drawers can provide useful storage space inside for the transit. If kitchen appliances such as fridges and freezers are to be stored, then ensure that the doors are left open to maintain hygiene standards.
Labelling
Boxes containing delicate items should be clearly marked “Fragile” to inform anybody handling it during the move. Once items are packed, seal, clearly mark and label each box with the contents.
Avoid Overpacking
Use the space within each box effectively and avoid ‘overpacking’ – you want your items to be secure in transit, but you do not want to create undue pressure on individual items. Do not try to ‘cram’ extra items into an already crowded space – simply use another box! Ensure there are no demonstrable gaps in the box – any additional space between the individually wrapped items should be filled with paper, bubble wrap or other suitable packaging.
Unpacking
The more care and planning you put into the initial packing of the items, the easier the unpacking will be later. Take time and care to ensure that the items are wrapped, packed, and stacked correctly – it will save you time and may well save you money in breakages and replacements!
Chelsea Self Storage
If you would like more information about household storage, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can read more information about household storage by visiting the household storage and furniture page.
