We understand how overwhelming moving to a different home or office
can be. So, those of us at Highlands Storage put our
heads together and compiled a list of storage tips based
on our own experience and that of our customers. We hope you find these
tips useful during your next move! Please feel free to
consult with any of our team members for further advice.
Furniture
It might be a good idea to wax wood furniture before
storing it. Some woods can be sensitive to moisture.
Consider using climate-controlled self storage. Disassemble
bed frames and tie them together. Use zip- lock bags
to store screws and bolt and tape them to the items that
they belong to. If you stack furniture items, place pads,
blankets, or towels between them to prevent scratching.
Take down lawn furniture and tables if possible. Store
frames in back corner to prevent them from falling over
on other items. Don't use plastic to cover items in non-climate
self storage as moisture can condense under it. Consider
using sheets or cotton cloth. Stand mattresses on end,
as well as sofas with pallets or cardboard under them.
It is a good idea to wrap mattresses in mattress bags
or cover them with paper or cloth. Stand mattress on
something to allow airflow and to prevent moisture from
getting to them. Walls may develop condensation, therefore
it is not advised to lean items against the walls.
Pictures and Mirrors
Wrap pictures that are small and stand them on end in
boxes. For larger ones, buy special picture moving boxes.
Consider using foam or bubble wrap.
Electronic Equipment
It is a good idea to use the original boxes. If you
don't have them, pack items carefully and use cushion
material. Bubble wrap, cushion foam, and even wadded
up newspaper will help. Pack items separately. Tie down
tone arms for record players. Stack record albums on
end to prevent warping and use small boxes to hold down
the weight. Consider the temperature as heat can warp
CD's and record albums.
Crystal, China, and Fine Glassware
Consider buying boxes designed for this with dividers.
Wrap each item with paper or foam. Label boxes with glass
items and stack these on top. Add packing material to
both the bottom and the top of the moving boxes.
Clothing, Curtains, Drapes
It is a good idea to store drapes and clothing hanging
on non-rusting hangers. You can buy moving boxes designed
for this. They are called wardrobe boxes. You can use
drawers to store some items and to conserve space. If
storing wool items, use cedar chips and or mothballs
to prevent moth damage.
Kitchen & Laundry
You can put several small appliances in a box. Be sure
to put packing material between them. Label all moving
boxes. It is a good idea to label moving box indicating
what room it goes in and the items it contains. You can
stack pots and pans with padding in between. Bowls can
be packed in a similar fashion. One idea for your drawer-type
stuff is to use plastic bags and pack these bags in a
moving box. Always consider the weight of what you are
putting in moving boxes. It is better to use 2 smaller
moving boxes than one heavy one.
Appliances
Tape doors shut while moving. Wedge doors open in self
storage to prevent mildew. You can use this valuable
storage space for items such as blankets and towels.
Use up partial bottles and boxes of laundry/cleaning
products and food goods before moving. You can place
laundry items in the washer and dryer. Be sure moving
boxes are taped shut and bottles will not leak. You can
always use plastic bags to insure against leaking.
Metals
It might be a good idea to put a few drops of oil on
items that might rust. Insure that these items don't
come in contact with other items.
Books and other valuables
Pack books together in small moving boxes. Big moving
boxes of books can weigh too much. Store your valuable
papers in plastic bags. Consider putting moving boxes
on pallets or something to keep them off the floor.
Helpful Tips for Moving
Plan your move early, if possible. Notify your postal
service. Change banks, if necessary. Put in change of
addresses to all subscriptions and other mailings. Make
sure you have a reservation for the equipment you need
for the move: trucks, dollies, and other moving items.
Have plenty of rope, tape and moving boxes on hand for
packing and tying down.
Packing
Leave the heavy objects toward the bottom. Label boxes
on both the top and sides. Wrap items separately prior
to storing in boxes. Bubble wrap, linens or paper are
recommended. Never store live animals, combustibles,
(paint, chemicals, toxic materials) or perishable items
(such as food).
Leave appliance and equipment doors slightly ajar. Drain
your washing machine and defrost your fridge/freezer.
For clothing, use wardrobe boxes that allow you to hang
them and save the shape of garments. Leave smaller garments
in drawers. If possible, put smaller appliances in their
original boxes. Fill in empty spaces with paper to prevent
boxes from folding.
Storing
Don’t lean stored property against the walls of
your unit. Whenever possible, store all boxes on wooden
pallets or boards. Don’t stack boxes so high that
getting to them becomes dangerous or overly time consuming.
Leave an aisle down the middle of your unit so that boxes
and other items can be easily seen and identified. Make
a complete list of all goods stored. Keep sales receipts,
proofs of purchase and warranties to prove ownership.
Take furniture apart to optimize space. Any bolts, screws
or parts should be put in a plastic bag and taped to
the underside of table tops. Chairs should be stacked
seat to seat with paper or cloth between them. For heirlooms,
use specially constructed boxes and utilize dehumidifiers
to prevent mildew build-up. Use protective covers.
Storage Center Tips
Office Hours vs. Gate hours: The office hours
are the facility’s hours of operation, during which
there will be a Storage Consultant ready to assist you
with your storage needs. The gate hours determine the
timeframe in which you may access the facility. Consult
the Manager for information about 24hr access.
Gate Coded Access: The individually assigned
gate code allows the staff to monitor the entrance and
exit to the facility. Dollies / Push Carts: These handy
tools facilitate the loading and unloading of your belongings.
You will find these at most facilities. Just ask your
Storage Consultant and they will be happy to assist you.
Read your agreement for termination and payment regulations.
Be informed of facility rules and regulations. Make note
of your payment due. Check that prorated rental periods
are covered. Take advantage of our boxes and packing
products. We have a full line of products in our store
for a one-stop shop for your convenience.
We highly recommend that you use our high quality locks
on your unit. You have sole responsibility for the goods
you place in storage. Check with your insurance carrier
for coverage, or ask a storage consultant for a list
of low cost providers.
Remember: if it’s
worth storing, it’s worth insuring. Talk to the
facilty manager about our storage insurance specials.
DISCLAIMER: THIS INFORMATION IS
PROVIDED TO HOPEFULLY HELP YOU WITH YOUR PACKING ,
MOVING, AND SELF STORAGE NEEDS. IT IS OFFERED "AS
IS" AND NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
IS OFFERED. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE RESULTS AND PERFORMANCE
OF THE TIPS IS ASSUMED BY THE USER. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN
INFORMATION OR ADVICE GIVEN BY HIGHLANDS STORAGE, ITS
AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES SHALL CREATE A WARRANTY AND YOU
MAY NOT RELY ON ANY SUCH INFORMATION OR ADVICE.
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