Hints to save you Time and Money
The use of packing accessories such as cartons, port-a-robes, and paper, tape, bubble-wrap and plastic covers will maintain and protect your goods while in storage.
Fill cartons to capacity: partially full or bulging cartons may lip or collapse. Heavy items like books or tools should be packed in small cartons so they are easy to handle. Books should be packed flat, not on their spines. Packing and labelling cartons room by room makes the unpacking much easier, and if you need to find something in storage you will have some idea of which carton to begin looking in.
Planning your Storage Space
As a general rule place large, heavy items that you can stack upon at the rear of the unit. Then work forwards and upwards with lighter, fragile items. Place those items that you may need to access often in the front of the unit. Depending on the goods you have stored, you may need to allow for walkways. Packing in professional storage cartons will make the stowing and unpacking easier and safer, saving you time and worry. Professional packing and storage accessories will provide your goods with the preparation they need for storage and maintain their condition for the term of storage.
Insure your Goods in Storage
The goods you place in a Self Storage Unit are yours and remain your sole responsibility. You should always have them covered by insurance. Your goods are not automatically insured by Inland Leasing. Check with your company’s insurance provider to see if your coverage already has provisions for items stored off site, you may already be covered. If not, your Self Storage Consultant will be able to assist you with the provision of insurance coverage.
What NOT to Store
Any goods that are illegal, stolen, flammable, explosive, hazardous, environmentally harmful, perishable or that are a risk to the property of any person. E.g. Chlorine, acid, paint, gasoline.
Appliances
Fridges, freezers and other white goods should be thoroughly DRY and CLEAN before storing. While in storage the door should be secured slightly ajar. A deodorizer placed inside fridges or freezers is also a good idea to maintain freshness. Don’t place items inside fridges or freezers as the shelves and. linings can be easily marked and damaged.
Furniture
Empty the contents of wardrobes, drawers and cupboards to protect the shelving and structure of these items. Clothing and personal goods should be packed in strong secure cartons with some naphthalene, mothballs or similar product to protect and maintain their condition. Where possible remove the legs from items of furniture e.g. bed bases, tables etc to avoid damage and save space. Vacuum food crumbs from lounges to prevent attracting vermin.
Dishes and Glassware
Place a layer of packing inside the bottom and top of cartons containing breakables. Protect fragile items by wrapping them individually in packing paper (newsprint can be very messy and possibly stain). Nest cups and bowls, stand plates, saucers, platters, casseroles on their edges. Fill any gaps in the cartons with packing e.g. scrunched paper or linen. This will keep your fragile items well protected and prevent them from moving around in the cartons whilst in transit. Label all cartons containing fragile items and avoid storing heavy items on the top of these cartons.
Mirrors, Windows, Screens and Paintings
These items should be protected by packing material e.g. bubble-wrap or in a flat-pack carton. Store them standing on their edges in an upright position (not lying flat).
Battery Operated Appliances and Toys
We recommend that you remove the batteries to avoid damage from leaking batteries.
Fabric Items
All items need to be clean and free from anything that may attract pests.
Metal Items
Wrapping silver in NON ACID tissue paper or plastic bags can help reduce tarnishing. Wipe chrome or cast iron with a little machine oil to help retard rust.
Stereos, Televisions and Videos, Computers, Electrical Equipment
All equipment should be thoroughly cleaned and dry before it is stored.
Your electrical equipment is very delicate and sensitive and should be handled with care. The original boxes are ideal to repack in. However wrapping items individually in bubble-wrap, packing them in cartons, and sealing the top will offer protection for your electrical items. Remember to pack out any gaps in the cartons. Turntables and tone arms of record players should be secured to prevent damage whilst they are being moved. Pack records on their edges in cartons to prevent warping.
Files, Records and other Documents
Pack books flat to protect their spines. Use suitable archive boxes or packing cartons. This will save you space, simplify retrieval and offer the best protection for your goods or records. Use packing to fill out empty pockets in the boxes. Clearly label all boxes to identify contents. Put lighter boxes on top to prevent collapse of those underneath.