Five Tips for Packing for Self Storage!
Here are five tips for packing for your self storage unit. These are based on what we have learnt from personal experience and also on the shared experience of our customers at Hippo Self Storage.
Try to be decisive about what you store. People use self storage for a range of different reasons and sometimes there is not much time to consider what goes into the unit and what does not. However, if you have time, consider filtering out items that you no longer need. These items could be given away, sold or disposed of, which would reduce the amount of storage space you need and also decrease the amount of “clutter” in your storage unit. It may even mean that you require a smaller storage unit such as a 10ft shipping container instead of a 20ft shipping container, which would reduce your storage costs!
Use high quality storage boxes. We know from personal experience that it is worth investing a little extra in high quality cardboard boxes when preparing to move into a self storage unit. The benefit of this is that higher quality cardboard boxes are thicker and sturdier allowing for better stacking of boxes in your storage unit. If you use inferior boxes, it is more likely that the boxes will crush under pressure when you stack them. Thus, with better boxes, you can stack them more effectively leading to a more efficient use of storage space.
Label clearly. It sounds obvious but it can be easy to forget, in the midst of packing, to label your boxes so you know exactly what is inside them. We have frequently heard from customers that they have spent a lengthy time searching through their self storage unit for some particular item that they need right away such as goggles for an upcoming ski trip or camping gear! How much easier it is to locate these items when storage boxes are clearly marked with their contents.
Protect fragile items. Ensure that you wrap fragile items such as glassware in bubble wrap or other packaging material to protect them from breakage. Also make sure that you stack them securely. Labelling is very beneficial here because then you know which boxes contain fragile items and need to be handled with the utmost care.
Store strategically. It may be sensible to place certain items that you are least likely to need at the back of the storage unit and items that you are most likely to require (such as sporting equipment or tools) close to the front of the storage unit. That way, you can more easily and quickly access items you frequently use. In addition, be thoughtful about where you store heavier items. For example, heavier boxes may be better close to the floor.
We hope that these tips are beneficial as you prepare to pack for self storage. If you have any questions about packing, please feel free to CONTACT US and we would be delighted to assist.