Storage Unit Packing: Some Helpful Hints

By Joyce McIntosh


There are few things is life more stressful than moving. There are so many tasks to complete and often, you have very little time to prepare and plan. Packing is always a stressful part of the process, especially if you will need to keep your items in a self-storage facility for some time before you move into your new house or apartment. To making packing easier, consider the following tips.

Your first tip is to start as soon as possible. Once you are certain you are moving, get packing. Start out by packing up all the little used items in your home. This might be decorations, photographs and books, as well as cooking items that you rarely use. Pack up clothes and shoes that aren't in season, as well. Boxes aren't cheap, so check sites such as Craigslist for free or low-cost moving boxes.

Another tip is to think about packing as an opportunity for purging some of your belongings. Everything you pack has to be moved, but you could also set aside a bunch of stuff to give away and contact a charity truck to come and pick up these gently used items. They aren't needed by you, but someone else might benefit from these belongings. Even better, once they're gone, you don't have to move them into storage or into your new home. This is the easiest and best time to really take stock of what you have and what you really need.

If possible, purchase or find boxes that are all basically the same size. Not only does this make it easier to stack up all the boxes in a moving van or truck, it's also much easier to arrange in a self-storage unit. It's also wise to ensure that boxes are not so heavy that you can't carry them easily. Even if you have a dolly, heavy items are hard to manage. When you pack, be sure fragile items are well-wrapped. Ask friends and family to save newspapers so that you will have a cheap source of packing paper. Once a box is packed, label it so that you know what's inside and where it will need to go in your new place.

For those who are storing items in a self-storage unit, it is important to think about how items will be arranged. Stack boxes with heavy boxes on the bottom and lighter items at the top of the stack. Make sure you have left some walkways so you can easily get to items without having to move a bunch of stuff first. If you are going to be storing items for a long time, it's important to do some preventative maintenance. Some items need to be stored in a sealed container ,and if you wipe down metal items with an oily cloth, they tend to stay rust-free. So wipe down that file cabinet or metal shelf or lawnmower before you stow it.

There are many different self-storage companies in the Bath, East Lansing and Okemos area, so choose a facility that truly meets your needs. Find a place that doesn't make you sign a year-long or multi-month contract. Some companies charge you month-to-month and even offer week-to-week rentals. This definitely can save you money and allows you more flexibility. Ask about student, senior and military discounts, as well. You also should be ability to find a place that doesn't require a security deposit. The company also should have a fence surrounding all of the storage units, and security monitors, a computerized gate and good lighting are all essential.




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