Helpful Storage Hints

Our self-storage facility is located near the ocean and hence, our units have a continuous high humidity level. Mold will form in stored goods unless packaged correctly or stored in a climate controlled unit.

1. Do not lean items against walls. Leaving air space around the unit’s perimeter will aid ventilation.
2. Leave a walkway to the rear of the unit. This will enable better access to stored items at a later date.
3. Place frequently used items near the door.
4. Use the entire space available, including the height of the unit.
5. Label cartons and create a list of the labeled cartons for easy reference.
6. Disassemble items such as bed frames and bulky objects where possible.
7. Fill containers to capacity without overfilling. Partially filled or bulging cartons may tip over or collapse.
8. Place fragile items toward the top of the unit. Use packing material to fill out empty pockets in cartons and to cushion fragile items.
9. Pack heavy items such as books or tools in small boxes. If a carton is too heavy, it will be hard to lift or stack.
10. Pack books flat to protect their spines. Do not pack fragile items in same carton with books.
11. Refrigerators and freezers should be thoroughly dry and stored with doors slightly ajar. Some items can be stored inside large appliances. Cartons can be stacked on top of stoves, refrigerators, and freezers.
12. Clean stoves and other cooking appliances before they are stored. Baked on food and crumbs will attract bugs and rodents. Store no food products in the units.
13. To retard rust on bicycles and other metal surfaces, wipe all metal surfaces with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil.
14. Bundle long handles tools and wipe metal surfaces with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil.
15. When possible, store curtains, clothes, and drapes on hangers. If hangers are not used, carefully fold these items and store in dresser drawers or cedar chests along with bedding and linen. Remove food stains or crumbs before storing, as these will attract rodents and bugs.
16. Use cartons with cell packs or place a layer of packing material inside both the bottom and top of cartons containing glass. Individually wrap glass items. Nest cups and bowls together and place plates, saucers, and platters on edge. Place wrapped glasses toward the top of the carton with padding above them. Fill all pockets with packing material. Do not place heavy cartons on top of cartons containing glassware.
17. Place cardboard mats on the floor and stand sofas and mattresses on end. Disassemble beds and tables and wrap table legs in paper. If a table will not disassemble, place padding on the floor and place the table on its top with the legs pointing up.
18. Keep upholstery off the floor. Most lightweight chairs can be stacked “seat to seat’ or placed upside down on tables which cannot be disassembled.
19. Use dresser tops for stacking cartons and dresser drawers for linens or small delicate items.
20. Place a light dust cover over your furniture. Do not seal in plastic as this will trap condensation in our high humidity.
21. Save original cartons that contained delicate holiday ornaments and pad the ornaments with packing material. Wrap strings of lights around a piece of cardboard before placing in a carton with packing material.
22. Wrap large lamp bases in padding. Wrap smaller lamps and place them in cartons. Pack delicate lampshades separately. Do not store heavy items on top of a carton containing lamps or lampshades.
23. Do not use newsprint to wrap lampshades, linens, or other goods that may be damaged by ink stains.
24. Store mirrors, windows, or screens on edge, not flat.
25. Using plastic storage totes/bins with lids securely fastened where possible will help prevent moisture, dust, and pest intrusion.