Are you preparing for a move? Or are you simply decluttering your home to free up additional storage space for new items? Either way, self-storage is the convenient and practical solution you seek to keep your belongings safe and organised. However, before you shift everything into your storage unit, let us share the do’s and don’ts you should consider to ensure your items remain safe and pristine during storage.
Learn More: A Beginner’s Guide To Self Storage In Singapore
The Do’s Of Preparing Your Items For Storage
1. Do Choose A Reliable Storage Company
When opting for self-storage, you are placing your trust in a third-party service provider to care for your belongings. So, even if you are not planning on storing anything of significant value, you should still select a provider with a proven track record of reliability.
In particular, look for a storage facility that offers round-the-clock surveillance, secure access, and on-site management. These features demonstrate that the safety and security of your belongings are a top priority for the service provider. The storage unit should also be ideally located near your home or office to ensure maximum convenience.
2. Do Plan Ahead
Before packing your possessions for self-storage, take the time to plan and strategise. After all, you never know if or when you need to access your storage unit. So, organise everything in a way that makes it easy for you to find the items you need – just in case. For items you are sure you will need, store them towards the front of the unit. Conversely, objects that you don’t need frequent access to can be placed at the back.
Don’t be afraid to think vertically, too. Take advantage of your storage unit’s height (where possible) by installing racks or shelving units to stack your belongings instead of crowding everything across the bottom. Remember to leave a pathway from the front of the storage space to the back so that nothing is out of reach.
3. Do Store Your Items Properly
Invest in sturdy packing materials to safeguard your items in self-storage. Trust us! You will be grateful for this decision. By taking the time to pack and wrap your belongings properly in quality storage materials, you can protect them from potential damage.
For instance, envelop furniture with furniture covers to safeguard them from dust and dirt. Meanwhile, anything small should be boxed up, while fragile objects should be carefully wrapped in packing paper and bubble wrap and stored correctly to prevent them from moving around.
Lastly, remember to label your boxes and mark each container with its content and the room it belongs to. This simple yet effective method can help you stay organised during packing and save time and effort when you need to access something specific later.
The Don’ts Of Preparing Your Items For Storage
1. Don’t Start Searching At The Last Minute
Various factors go into selecting the ideal storage rental for your situation, including convenience level, price, and size. Therefore, it is advisable to begin your search early to ensure you check off all your requirements.
Putting things off to the last minute could result in you not finding what you are looking for or having insufficient time to do the necessary research. It is better to begin early and have a plan in place than to start late and have to make a rushed decision.
2. Don’t Overpack Or Overcrowd The Storage Space
While it is tempting to maximise storage space, overpacking can cause your storage boxes to become too heavy, making them susceptible to collapse. In addition, avoid stacking boxes too high or filling the storage unit to the brim, as doing so poses various safety risks.
For instance, if your boxes are stacked higher than 2.4 metres, they could block the storage facility’s sprinklers and interfere with the fire suppression system. Meanwhile, not only are you preventing easy access to your belongings by overcrowding or placing items in the storage walkway. The items could also serve as potential tripping hazards and cause an accident.
3. Don’t Store Anything Perishable
Never store anything perishable in your storage space. When the items decompose, they produce an unpleasant odour that compromises the cleanliness and safety of your storage unit. The smell may also attract pests, such as bugs and rodents, and you definitely do not want to happen upon either when opening your storage unit.
However, you also need to take special care when stowing non-perishable items. Before packing your belongings, ensure they are clean and dry. This step is essential when storing items like appliances, clothing, or furniture, as dirt and moisture can lead to mould, mildew, and other damage while in storage.
By following our helpful tips, you can ensure you store your belongings smartly and keep them safe and in excellent condition, resulting in a positive self-storage experience. When you are finally ready to retrieve your items, you will be glad you took the time to do it right.
If you are still in the midst of searching for your ideal storage space, look no further than Work+Store. Our storage facilities are located islandwide, enabling you to easily find a storage unit near your home or office. Contact us for a free quotation today.