Clean & dry everything before packing or storing
Dirt, food residue and moisture can cause unpleasant smells or deterioration during storage. Make sure items are clean and completely dry before boxing them up. This is particularly important for clothing, bedding, garden furniture and other absorbent materials. Even slightly damp items can develop mould or mildew while stored.
Pack!
This seems an obvious thing to do, but you would be amazed at how much comes into storage 'unpacked.' We're talking lose, unboxed items. If you leave things until last minute, you will be unprepared for your move into storage and undoubtedly be in a state of panic on move day. Worse than this, your belongings will not be protected whilst in storage. So number one, the most important thing you can do to prepare for your move into storage, is PACK!
De-clutter, donate & scrap!
Moving things into storage is the perfect opportunity to reduce the number of items you need want to store, and therefore the on-going cost of storage. Many people put off de-cluttering for when things come out of storage, only to bin it later! Operate a simple 'keep, donate & bin' system, working room by room. The less you have to move and store, the less you have to unpack, making the whole process easier and more cost effective.
Get ahead of the game
One of the biggest mistakes people make when moving house is underestimating how long packing takes. Start with items you use infrequently, such as seasonal clothing, books and decorative items, and gradually work through each room. Beginning several weeks before your move will help avoid a last-minute rush and unnecessary stress.
Use quality materials
Investing in sturdy boxes, strong packing tape, bubble wrap and packing paper can help protect your belongings during transit. Using poor-quality materials may save money initially, but it can increase the risk of damaged items on moving day. If you're not planning on unpacking immediately, or are sending your belongings into storage, packing into solid plastic boxes is a good choice. Unlike cardboard, plastic won't sag over a long period of time and provide an additional layer or protection against mould and mildew.
Clearly label each item
9 times out of 10 storage clients end up storing for much longer than they originally anticipate. During this time, it can be easy to forget what you stored, and what is in which box. Labelling everything well can make it much easier to find things you're looking for. Here's a link to some box labels which are super clear and easy to use:
500 Moving Home Box Labels (50 Stickers Each) for Removals from Houses, Flats and Apartments, Moving Labels for Boxes - Fragile, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, Kitchen, and Extra : Amazon.co.uk: Stationery & Office Supplies
Make an 'essentials' box & seperate valuables
Set aside a box containing anything you think you may need to access whilst it's in storage. This might include documents such as deeds and birth certificates, or seasonal clothing. Identifying these items seperately to the rest of your belongings can make it quicker easier to retreive.
Pack tightly
Without creating over-filled or buldging boxes, pack the contents of each box tightly. This will minimise movement during handling & storage and therefore the risk of damages. Filling boxes to the top too, prevents the top of the box from caving in when it's stacked on. Cushions, duvets and other textiles can be great ways to pad out more delicate, awkwardly shaped items such as lamps.
Create an inventory & number items
This tip is particularly handy if your belongings are going into storage, or don't plan on unpacking everything all at once. If you number each box and write a brief description on a phone note or piece of paper, you'll be able to pin-point exactly what you need without going through several other boxes first.
Use wardrobe boxes
Rather than folding and boxing every item of clothing, leave hanging garments on their hangers and transport them in wardrobe boxes or protective garment bags. This saves considerable packing and unpacking time. Contact us to discuss purchasing or purchasing wardrobe boxes.
Photograph electric set-ups
Before disconnecting televisions, computers, gaming consoles or home office equipment, take photos of the cables and connections. These images can save a great deal of time and frustration when reconnecting everything in your new home.
Consider how long you will store for... then double it!
The longer your belongings will be stored, the more important proper preparation becomes. Take extra care with moisture-sensitive, valuable and delicate items, and choose appropriate packaging rather than simply putting everything into cardboard boxes. 9 times out of 10, clients stay in storage for far longer than anticipated.
