Home / Moving Supplies / Storage Tips Storage Tips

• Ensure you have wrapped your furniture with blankets or bubble wrap or something to avoid dents and chips.=
• Secure any loose items/padding that is part of the furniture with tie downs or tape.
• Secure any drawers so that they do not open when being lifted.
• Tape doors shut on appliances while moving – however, for storage, open these doors to prevent mildew.
• Be careful if you use tape on wood or painted surfaces – it can cause damage – especially over time if something is stored for a long time.
• If you don’t have a lot of room in your unit you can gain some space by removing legs and/or dismantling items, such as bed frames, and placing smaller pieces in drawers and/or taped to the items – thus taking up less volume.  Place small screws and such in zip-lock bags and tape to the bottom.
• If you have fine wood it will do well to have a good coat of wax on the furniture – it will help protect it from scratches.
• Use your sofa cushions and pillows, wrapped in plastic or placed in garbage bags, as fillers/padding between items in the unit.

It sincerely helps to utilize the “right” equipment: 

• Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothing that does not pack tightly very well (suits etc.)

  **HINT: Do not put mothballs in with clothes – they will stain!

• China boxes for your dishes that are more durable than the “regular boxes” to ensure less movement.

  **HINT: You may want to wrap each item separately with paper or foam and ensure these boxes are placed on top.  Also, add packing material to the bottom and the top of the box to ensure safety of the items.

• Smaller sized boxes for heavy items such as books or canned goods – you may need more of them but they will be much easier to lift.

  **HINT:  Pack books flat to protect their spines – they will last for years.

• Use medium to larger boxes for bulky items like pots & pans, small appliances & linens.
• Extra large boxes are great for lightweight, bulky items such as blankets, pillows, shoes, & toys.
• Mirror and Picture boxes should be used for these items to ensure they may be stored upright – never flat.
• Lots of Tape!  If boxes are sealed correctly the dust stays out!
• Label everything on the side of the box!  That way if they are stacked in your unit you can see what is in each box without moving all of them!
• Ensure you have thoroughly cleaned & even vacuumed all furniture – one crumb can result in one pesky pest!
• All boxes should be full.  If items are bulky or the box is not full due to weight, add newspaper, bubble wrap, or other stuffing to ensure the box will not collapse.
• Boxes with books, documents, and clothing should be kept moisture-free by placing them on pallets or on top of other items rather than directly on the concrete floor. (Particularly if you are renting an “outside access” unit.)
• Once you’ve packed everything correctly, make sure you stack correctly!  Large heavy items on the bottom, smaller lighter items on top. 
• When filling the unit put the items at the back that you will need last and items you may want access to at the front.
• Seal all your boxes with tape!

Small Mechanical / Engine type items (garden equipment):

• Consult the owner’s manual for the equipment and/or the manufacturer.
• Ensure all gasoline has been emptied.
• If possible, remove all fluids to avoid spillage as clean up can be difficult after time.
• Wrap the item in plastic or cloth tarps (do not box) and secure with rope or tape.
• Label the item you have wrapped.  A few months away and you might not remember the blue tarp is the lawnmower!
• Do not stack heavy items on top of these items.
• Refrigerators, freezers & washers also have engines – be careful with these and always store them upright.

  **HINT:  The inside makes great storage space for linens & towels!

• You may want to place pallets, tarps or plastic sheets on the floor of the unit to ensure no damage is done if there is a leak.