Getting the Best Self-Storage Rates

Getting the Best Self-Storage Rates

How to prepare 4 types of belongings for self storage

Erik Stone

Whether you're moving and need some interim space or just have more possessions than your home can hold, a self storage unit is a great way to get a little extra space. Before you load your belongings into a storage space, however, you'll want to make sure they're correctly packed and prepared. Each different type of item requires different packing and preparation.

Books

Pack books in small cardboard boxes. Larger boxes full of books may be too heavy to carry safely; you also run the risk of having the boxes split. You can store books, especially smaller ones, upright as long as they're packed tightly, but larger books should be laid flat to prevent warping. Fill any voids in the box with bubble wrap or packing tissue. Leather-bound books will require a little extra packing; if you're planning to store a lot of leather-bound volumes over a long period, separate them with sheets of waxed paper to prevent the covers from adhering. 

Clothes

Wash clothes before you pack them. Although it's tempting to fold or crush clothes tightly to fit them into as little space as possible, this can lead to them getting badly wrinkled if they're stored over a long period. The same is true for vacuum packing; long-term storage in a vacuum-sealed bag can even damage natural fibers such as wool or silk.

Fold clothes loosely and store them in airtight plastic storage boxes. Pack clothes by weight, putting heavier items toward the bottom of the box with lighter garments on top. For suits or dresses, consider using a garment box; these tall boxes feature an upper rail for you to hang your items from. 

Dishes

The key to safely packing dishes and other fragile items like cups and glasses is to give them as little room to move as possible. Wrap each item in bubble wrap, then use bubble wrap to fill any empty spaces in the box. Stack dishes sideways rather than placing them one on top of the other. You can use newspaper as a packing material if you prefer, but be ready for some ink to transfer onto the dishes; you'll have to wash them thoroughly after unpacking before you can use them again. 

Furniture

Moving furniture usually means disassembling it; you'll want to remove shelves and drawers before transporting furniture, and maybe even unscrew table or desk legs. Make sure to clearly mark the pieces you'll need to put your furniture back together. Protect vulnerable surfaces like tabletops by wrapping them in padded furniture blankets or old bedding. Preparing your furniture in this way will take a little extra time, like all of these tips, but the added protection and ease of transportation will be well worth it. 


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Getting the Best Self-Storage Rates

Yo! Are you looking to store your things? If so, you will want to make sure that you get the best rates on self-storage. When I downsized my home after my kids left for college, I suddenly had a lot of stuff that I no longer had any room for. I set out looking for a storage unit to keep it all in, but I couldn't work out all of the options and extras which seemed to increase the cost. Thankfully, my friend Marian came with me. She is a real whizz who has been using self-storage for years. She made sure I got a great deal.

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