A self-storage unit allows you to keep your belongings in a secondary location until you have space for them once again. With a little time and preparation, you can keep your items in mint condition by preparing them for short-term or long-term storage. Investing in items such as lidded bins, sturdy cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, and painter’s drop cloths or tarps ensures the safety of your belongings by providing an extra layer of protection for your clothing, furnishings, sports equipment, decorations, and hobby items.
Here are some self-storage tips and tricks to keep your items in mint condition:
- Choose a climate controlled unit if available. Although it may cost more initially, it’s the type of investment that pays off over time. The amount of effort it takes to keep items free from mildew and rust in wet or humid climate is too much for some people. You can relax knowing that with a temperature controlled unit, your items are never too hot or too cold.
- Avoid moving items on a rainy (or snowy) day. That way, your belongings aren’t wet from the start. You want them to remain dry throughout their stay in the self-storage unit. That’s why you may want to rethink moving objects in the winter or during the rainiest months of Dallas’ year such as March and April.
- Cover upholstered furniture. Use sofa protectors, blankets or towels to keep moisture from accumulating on sofas, chairs, and ottomans. If a climate controlled option is available, use plastic sheeting and painters tape to create a barrier between the furniture and anything that might come into contact with it. Following this tip helps keep your belongings looking nicer longer.
- Use oil to wipe down metal objects. This steps helps keep them from rusting. You don’t need to use a lot of oil, either. A small amount is sufficient enough to use on trash cans, tools, and fixtures. You can use coconut oil or another type of oil depending on what you have on hand.
- Bubble wrap fragile items. Before placing your belongings in boxes or totes, take a few extra minutes to wrap them in bubble wrap. The added layer of protection cushions the object in the event it is dropped or shaken. You won’t have to pick up pieces of a cherished family heirloom that way.
- Prevent items from touching walls. While stacking boxes, bins or containers, aim to give yourself a few inches of space between the items and the walls of the storage unit. By doing this, you’re making it easier for air to circulate throughout the space. Circulation prevents condensation which ruins items that you haven’t taken the time to protect.
Keep your items in mint condition. The tips and tricks listed here help you prepare your belongings in a way that preserves them while being stored in self-storage. You won’t have to worry about them becoming damaged while you transition from a larger home or office building to a smaller one with less space for storing things.
Need help moving your items into or out of storage? Our Dallas moving experts would love to help! Contact us today for a no obligation moving quote (CheapDallasMovers.net).