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Storage Unit Checklist
Get stuff out of your way and into storage. Here are some recommended techniques and materials so you can store your belongings safely and securely without damaging or breaking your valuables. These tips will help you pack like a pro.
Getting Started
- Make an inventory list of everything you'll be keeping in your unit.
- Protect your stuff from damage by using packing materials, towels, and moving blankets.
- Get packing supplies like boxes, tape, and blankets.
- Don't store any food, perishables, toxins, or flammables.
- Consider a contents insurance policy for your belongings, or ask if a rider on your current homeowners or other insurance policy would cover your items from damage or loss.
Pro Packing Tips
- Fill empty spaces in boxes with packing paper or peanuts to keep items from shifting and to protect boxes from getting damaged when stacked.
- Keep like items together.
- Label boxes on all sides.
- Try using clear plastic bins — they allow you to see the contents easily.
- Remove any food, which can attract pests.
Furniture
- Apply furniture oil to wood pieces for added protection before placing furniture in your unit. Give them time to dry before wrapping.
- Disassemble larger items such as tables and bed frames to maximize space.
- Bag and label all hardware.
- Use moving blankets between pieces to prevent scratching when stacking furniture. Tape the blankets to hold them in place, but never apply tape directly to your furniture.
Electronics
- Take pictures of connections before disconnecting your electronic devices to save yourself time and hassle later.
- Store electronics in their original boxes. If original packaging isn't available, pack items separately in bubble cushion roll, cushion foam, or wadded-up newspaper.
- Label corresponding cords and components with color-coded stickers.
Appliances
- Clean appliances prior to storing.
- Leave doors slightly open to prevent mildew.
- Protect appliances with blankets. Use tape to hold them in place, but don't apply tape directly to your appliances, as it may ruin the finish.
Pictures and Mirrors
- Wrap small pictures and pack them vertically in boxes.
- Pack larger pictures in boxes specially designed for pictures.
- Store mirrors and framed pieces vertically, not flat.
Crystal, China, and Glassware
- Use specialty kitchen boxes designed with dividers for these items.
- Wrap each piece with paper or foam.
- Label these boxes "FRAGILE."
Clothing, Curtains, and Drapes
- Save time by keeping clothes on hangers and binding them with zip ties into easy-to-manage groups. Pack them in garment bags or create your own with an upside-down garbage bag.
- Try using wardrobe boxes as a convenient way to pack clothes and provide additional protection.
- Hang clothes on non-rusting hangers.
- Save space by using dresser drawers to store smaller items.
- Use cedar chips or mothballs to prevent moth damage if you're storing wool items.
Storing on Your Property
- Get any required permits if you need them.
- Review your homeowner association guidelines for container placement if you're storing in a deed-restricted community.
- Remember to follow local ordinances when storing your container on the street.
Loading Your Storage Unit
- Pack items you'll need easy access to last — close to the unit door. Load items you won't need first.
- Load furniture vertically to conserve space when possible.
- Place lighter boxes on top of heavier ones.
- Create a diagram indicating where you packed your belongings to make items easier to access and unload.
Ready to Rent a Unit?
Browse available unit sizes and pricing, or reach out to us directly — we're happy to help you find the right fit.