Self-storage units provide a convenient and secure way to store our belongings when we’re moving, renovating, or just need some extra space. However, simply renting a unit and storing your items isn’t enough to ensure their safety and longevity. You need to take some extra steps to protect your belongings from pests, humidity, and breakage. In this article, we’ll go over some essential self-storage tips and tricks that will help you make the most of your unit.
Protecting Your Belongings from Pests
One of the biggest concerns when it comes to self-storage is pests. Rodents, spiders, moths, and other bugs can find their way into your unit and cause serious damage to your belongings. To prevent this, you should never store food in your unit.
Preventing Damage from Humidity
Another concern when storing items is humidity. Items like fabrics, wooden furniture, paintings, and rugs are particularly susceptible to moisture and can be destroyed if left in a humid environment for too long. To keep the moisture out of your unit, try not to place items directly on the floor. Instead, store your items raised up off the floor using wooden pallets or similar materials. This will help the air circulate around your items and prevent moisture buildup. You can also use an old-fashioned remedy to absorb moisture by placing pans of charcoal around the unit. Finally, make sure everything is completely dry before storing it, especially household appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. Wipe out the inside and hoses of these appliances before storing them to prevent mold and mildew from forming.
Avoiding Breakage and Damage
Breakage is another concern when storing items in a self-storage unit. To avoid damage to your belongings, take extra care when packing, transporting, and loading your items. Wrap everything carefully and use plenty of wrapping material. Make sure that all the space within a packing box is filled to prevent items from moving around during lifting, transportation, and loading. Label boxes containing fragile items clearly and stack them on top of other boxes. When storing furniture like mattresses, sofas, and armchairs for the long term, place them flat to avoid all the filling shifting to one end.
Ensuring Safety and Peace of Mind
By following these essential self-storage tips and tricks, you can rest easy knowing that your belongings are safe and secure. You can also save money by avoiding unnecessary expenses like damage to your items or paying for space you don’t need. Whether you’re storing items for a short or long period of time, taking these extra steps will give you peace of mind and protect your belongings. So before you rent a self-storage unit, make sure you’re prepared with the right tools and knowledge to keep your items safe and sound.
