Self-storage has heaps of benefits. Many people use it for their belongings in the short term, but there are some who rent a storage unit for the long term. They use it as additional storage for their home, for all those items they need but only use a couple of times per year. Others use self-storage or container storage to store their furniture and their other stuff while they travel the world or go to live abroad for a period of time. They have the peace of mind that their belongings are safe and secure. Also, they are 100 percent sure they will find these belongings in the same condition when they return from their journey. But using these units for long-term storage requires you to be aware of a few things we will discuss here, below.
Clean before Storing
Before putting anything in storage for a long period of time, you should clean and dry all these items to prevent mould from developing. Clothes require a special attention, as they are usually the main culprit for the forming of mould. If you store them dirty or damp, they may develop mildew and a foul smell. Kitchen items are also a mould source, particularly when they have traces of food or grease. Leaving such items in storage for a long time not only ruins your other belongings but also presents a huge health hazard to people around. Before taking your items to storage, make sure you thoroughly clean and dry them.
Learn How to Pack
If you want your belongings to be secure, you should learn how to properly pack them. The golden rule of packing for long-term storage is to avoid putting your things in plastic bags. Plastic doesn’t allow things to breathe, so it may generate moisture build-up and mildew. Instead of using plastic bags, store everything in solid cardboard boxes that allow for stacking without any damage to their structure. Pack each of your things securely and store everything in appropriate containers. There may be items that require special attention.
Delicate Items
Wrap your delicate items in bubble wrap or packing paper. Use plenty of filler material to fill the box, in order to prevent these items from moving around. Mark these boxes and place them on top of the stack rather than on the bottom.
Clothing
If you have a lot of clothing items to store, you may want to buy a wardrobe box for this purpose. These special boxes allow you to store clothes hanging in garment bags. They will be much safer than in boxes or plastic bags. In fact, bin bags are never a good idea for storing clothes, as they will surely lead to mildew that will ruin your outfits.
Cover the Storage Unit Floor
When storing items for a longer time, you must pay attention to everything that could affect them. The flooring of the storage unit is also part of the environment, so it deserves your attention. Most storage units feature concrete floors. This means that these surfaces are cold. It also means that they don’t absorb any spills or moisture inside the storage unit. If you want to add an extra layer of protection, you may want to cover the floor with a sheet or tarp to create a separation layer between the concrete and your boxes. You can also use shelves to store your crates above the ground, provided that your storage unit allows for that. Shelves and floor covers are a good idea because they allow the airflow to wrap around your items and to prevent them from getting into close contact with a damp and cold floor that may damage them.
