The Ultimate Guide to Packing for Self-Storage: Dos and Don'ts
Self-storage offers the perfect solution for placing your items somewhere outside your home safely and securely, whilst still being able to access them whenever you need them back. Whether you are moving, decluttering or simply trying to live a simpler and minimalistic life, packing your items properly before putting them in storage is crucial. This guide will explore the do’s and don’ts of packing practices when preparing for self-storage. Following these tips will ensure your items will be protected and in perfect condition during and after storage.
Do's:
1. Planning
Plan ahead! Packing is not one of those things you leave until the last minute before your storage term starts. Assess the items that you plan to put in storage and determine their size, weight and fragility. Based on this, gather the suitable cardboard boxes and specialised containers you will need, along with other packing materials such as bubble wrap, furniture covers and packing tape.
2. Using the appropriate packing materials
Opt for sturdy, double-walled (meaning two zigzags of cardboard in the layer of the box) and high-quality boxes to protect your belongings during transit and storage. Avoid using boxes that have already been used previously. We sell a wide range of packing materials, with reusable and sustainable alternatives. Check out the ones we sell here.
3. Label!
Once you’ve packed all your items, label each box with its contents and which room or area in your home it belongs to. You could use colour-coded labels or create inventory lists of each box so that you will know what exactly is inside. This will save you time and energy when trying to find a specific item during storage. When storing with LOVESPACE, our website allows you to add photos and descriptions to each box that you store with us under your account, so you know what exactly is in each box. Easily retrieve your boxes individually or all together by choosing the Box ID of boxes you want to receive back!
4. Disassemble furniture
Whenever possible, disassemble large furniture and appliances to save space and prevent breakage. Keep any loose parts or components such as screws and bolts in labeled plastic bags and attach them to the corresponding furniture to make sure they don’t get misplaced. If you need help with this, check out our packing and disassembly services that we offer as an add-on to our storage units and removals!
5. Protect fragile items
Protect fragile items such as glassware, dishes and electronics by wrapping them securely with bubble wrap to prevent damage. If you see any empty gaps in your boxes, fill them in with towels, cushions and any other items that provide stability.
6. Create aisle space
When packing, arrange your boxes so that you leave yourself enough space to walk around. This will ensure you can access all your boxes and retrieve any items easily without moving or repositioning other items. This also allows our drivers to easily pick up your boxes on collection day!
Dont’s:
1. Overpack
Keep in mind how much stuff you are putting into your boxes and how much each item weighs. Make sure to check that you can lift them safely and comfortably before sealing your boxes. At LOVESPACE we do not accept boxes that weigh over 25kg. Overpacking boxes beyond their weight capacity will make them hard to lift and carry for our drivers and will increase the chances of damage to your belongings during transit and storage.
2. Use newspaper for packing
Newspaper is something many people use when packing and is seen to be a cost-effective option to wrap items. However, newspapers can leave ink stains on your items and provide minimal protection against impact due to their lack of cushioning. Use clean packing paper or bubble wrap instead to keep your items safe and pristine.
3. Store perishable items
You should never store food, plants and any hazardous items in your boxes when putting them in self-storage. These items can leak inside boxes, attract pests and cause odours. Donate or throw away these items before storing your belongings with us. At LOVESPACE, we strictly do not accept any perishable items and if we receive them on collection day, they will be taken out of your boxes and disposed.
4. Neglect climate control
It is essential to choose a climate-controlled facility for storage if you are storing temperature-sensitive items such as wood, leather, photographs, artwork, paper documents and electronics. Extreme temperatures can cause deterioration and discolouration to your belongings over time. Our storage facilities are all indoors, climate and temperature controlled, with CCTV monitoring: your belongings are safe with us!
5. Forget insurance
Research to ensure your self-storage provider offers sufficient coverage for your belongings. Even if they do, it may be a good idea to invest in additional insurance cover, or cross check with your home insurance policy to see if they cover off-site storage. This will ensure your items are protected against theft, damage or loss. At LOVESPACE, every box and other item is covered for up to £100 free of charge: both on its way to and from our storage facility and during storage, provided they are properly and securely packed.
If you’d like to upgrade your coverage, we offer it for up to £200 or £500 per box or other item per month, for a small additional charge. Please note that there are items we don’t provide coverage for – for more details check out our FAQs here.
Packing for self-storage may seem like a time-consuming and tedious process, as it requires careful planning, attention to detail and suitable packing materials. But these tips will hopefully make it an easier and simpler process for you! Following these do’s and don’ts will ensure that your items will be stored safely and securely with the storage provider, until you retrieve them again.