This is a partnered guest post.
No matter how good you are about cleaning out old stuff, you are likely to have some things you just don’t want to throw away. Storing things in a spare closet, in the garage, shed or basement is often the solution people choose. Properly packing things away for storage is critical. Without proper packing techniques, you risk having issues when you experience a flood or other problem. Items packed away in boxes and tossed on the garage floor are vulnerable to water damage. When a car is wet, the water will come off the car and soak into the boxes, destroying everything inside. You can take steps to prevent damage to your valuables. Here are some tips on how you can store things safely.
Tip # 1: Clean out the Junk
The first thing you can do is clean out all the junk. You do not want to store things that you really don’t need. While all your old college books cost you a lot of money, how often do you really find yourself reading them again? Send them to the recycling bin so they can be reused. Finding cheap storage in Tallahassee or anywhere convenient for you can help you save money. But while cheap storage is available, it’s best to make sure you’re not wasting money by storing unwanted items.
Place items into organized piles, so you know what you want to store, how long to store it and what to toss out. If some things are holiday items, plan on packing them into totes to take to the storage unit. This way you won’t end up having too many things stored in the basement or garage.
Tip # 2: Pack It Right
Once you have everything organized, start packing it away correctly. Use storage totes that are waterproof to help protect all your necessities. Storage totes are great as they prevent rain water from getting inside and ruining everything. There are a variety of sizes you can choose from when buying totes, making them a great solution for efficient storage.
When you are taking things to a storage unit, remember that not all units are climate-controlled. If an item is susceptible to heat or cold air, you might need to keep it in your home to protect it. Storage units are often dusty, so you need to make sure you are covering your items. If you place a couch in storage, for example, cover it with a drop cloth. If you keep things in boxes, cover them with trash bags or drop cloth to keep dust out. Never place cardboard boxes on the floor; there is always a risk of water getting under the garage and causing damage. Never pack items that are moist in an air-tight box, as it will cause them to mildew.
Tip # 3: Correct Storage Timelines
One final thing to determine is how long you want to store things. Appliances can be stored for a time, but if they are wet at all, they might end up having problems in the future. Always clean and dry them before you place them in a storage unit. Nice appliances will become damaged if they are not stored correctly. Remember to open the doors on a fridge or freezer when it is being stored to reduce any problems with water that might still be inside. Talk to the company you are renting your storage unit from, as they might have some boxes and other things you can use when you are planning to store expensive items and specialty items.
We are finally going to put some stuff in storage and are in the middle of packing it up now! Thank you.
Awesome tips for storing all that extra stuff we all have properly. Thanks.
We actually just got a storage unit because we didn’t have enough room in our townhome. These are great tips when it comes to storing things.
Bubble wrap works incredibly well.
I need to go through a few boxes and make sure to transfer the items into more sturdy containers!
Great tip on the storage timelines!
Good tips. We just moved and put a ton of stuff in the attic. I need to make sure I rearrange some of it so it doesn’t get ruined.
These are great tips. I always pack everything really well when we move as I don’t want to have anything break.
These are great tips! I didn’t store some of my son’s baby clothes properly at first {they were in moving boxes, but we never unpacked them just put them in the garage} & they ended up with a couple of spiders in them. Blah.
Even in my attic, I use totes just to keep the ickies out. 😛
Great tips! We really need to go through and get some stuff stored away here.
These are really great tips. I’m thankful my husband is good about packing things.
All are wonderful tips! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
These are great tips. I am not a fan of moving just because of packing. Such a tedious task and I usually end up with at least one broken item.
There is nothing worse than finding a family treasure destroyed due to poor packing. Thanks for the tips.
great tips. I’m currently going through all my stuff in storage I’m tried of saving it
Since we’re moving, this is where I’m at right now. Thanks for the great tips!
Part of my garage has been used for storage for years, so we finally went through stuff to giveaway/throwaway. Great tips!
I feel like I am stuck on #1. I really need to declutter.
We are moving in November once again and I am going to Downsize and pack things away in storage, great tips, I am sort of dreading it and embracing it. I will be getting rid of junk!
My husband is pretty good at storing things but I’ll pass along these tips just in case.