Storage Tips

Fabrics such as clothing, curtains, and drapes are best if stored on hangers. If you are unable to do so, carefully fold and store these items in dresser drawers or cedar chests, along with bedding and linens.

A refrigerator or freezer should be thoroughly dried and stored, with its door slightly ajar. Some goods can be stored inside larger stored items, like major appliances. Be sure to keep a ledger of what has been stored, and make a note of where items have been placed. Boxes can be stacked atop level surfaces of items like stoves, refrigerators, and freezers. Make sure that stoves and cooking equipment are both clean and dry before you store.

Dishes: Place a layer of bubble wrap, shredded paper, blank newsprint, and/or packing peanuts inside a moving box to contain fragile dishware. Always pack like items together. Store bowls in one box and plates in another. Layer boxed plates and bowls with bubble wrap, shredded paper, and/or blank newsprint. Place additional packing material over packed items before sealing the moving box with heavy duty shipping tape. Glass: All glass items should be individually wrapped. Fill all open space inside of cups and drinking glasses with blank packing paper. Label all boxes containing glassware and do not place heavy items on top of them.

When storing furniture, you’ll want to place a barrier between the floor of your storage unit and the items to be stored. You can use a pallet, corrugated cardboard mat, or layers of plastic lining. Save space by standing sofas and mattresses upright. Disassemble beds and tables. Wrap table and chair legs in blank newsprint. If a table will not disassemble, place the table on its level surface, with the legs pointing up. Use dresser counters to stack moving boxes. Save even more space (and time!) by filling dresser drawers with linens, towels, and clothes. Try to keep upholstered surfaces off the floor, in order to preserve these surfaces. Most lightweight chairs can be secured by connecting their level surfaces: flip on chair upside down and stack the seats together. Store single chairs on tables that cannot be disassembled. Use a tarp or remaining plastic lining to cover individual sections of furniture.

Store books in moving boxes with layered bubble wrap. Lay books flat to protect their spines. Do not place boxes directly on concrete floors. Do not pack fragile items in the same box with books, and do not overload.

Always remember to save original packaging for off season storage. Wrap breakable items in bubble wrap and stuff the empty spaces with packing paper or blank newsprint. Wrap lighting rope around itself into a ball before placing it in a filled moving box lined with packing material.

Lamps: Detach lampshades and stack together between sheets of blank newsprint. Fragile or oddly shaped lamp shades will need to be wrapped individually before packing separately. Wrap the base of lamps in bubble wrap. Wrap one-piece lamps completely before packing them in boxes. Do not use newsprint to wrap lamp shades or any other goods that may be damaged by ink stains. You can purchase unprinted wrapping paper, foam wrap or bubble wrap at our location to help protect your items. Always store breakable items on the top level of moving boxes. Lighting: Wrap track lighting and fluorescent/HID hoods in packing material and store in open corners of the storage unit.

These items should be stored vertically upright, not on their flat surfaces. We offer a selection of mirror/picture boxes that can be purchased at our office.

When storing items containing metal, it is necessary to keep the storage area dry in order to avoid buildup of rust. Before stowing home and garden equipment, remove any dirt and debris before applying several drops of machine oil to any metal areas. Store together in a specified area of the storage unit. Weed eaters, piping, shovels, and any other long handled tools should be lightly oiled, then tied in bundles and stored in the free spaces between other items.

To avoid rust, wipe all metal surfaces with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil. Store in free spaces of the storage unit.