Self-Storage Tips
At McCulloch Mini Storage we give you the best when it comes to storing your belongings. There is nothing more important to us than giving you the very best service in self-storage. Below are list of tips to guide you in keeping your items secured during storage and moving process.
Packing Tips
1. Always plan ahead of time to make packing easier for you. Make sure you gather enough strong cartons, bubble wrap, packing paper, sealing tape and marker pens, and any available furniture covers.
2. Containers or Boxes you are to use should be sealed tightly with tape to prevent dirt and dust from entering.
3. Ensure you wrap the legs of the furniture with protective bubble wrap, home furniture pads or covers are to prevent scratching. You can leave slip covers on upholstered chairs and cover them with plastic covers. Also Tie or Tape bed rails jointly together. You should Mark the dissembled parts for easier assembly at a later time. Place covers or plastic bags on mattresses to keep them clean at the time of storage.
4. Ensure you Label boxes on all sides for easy identification. Also keep list of some sensitive items (including photos) in your home or office for reference. Clearly Mark all boxes holding fragile or sensitive items. Ensure fragile boxes are set on top of weightier, less delicate containers or boxes.
5. Make use of available spaces inside dresser compartments and home appliances, like stoves and refrigerators, to store small items such as towels, linens and small, fragile items. Secure properly items in shelves by filling vacant spaces with packing paper or towels.
6. Store as much as you can in the same size containers or boxes. Ensure that all boxes are tightly filled, but be mindful neither to under-pack nor over-pack. (Protruding boxes or cartons tip when stacked, while half packed cartons often collapse). Use compressed bubble wrap, rags, newsprint, towels, or blankets to fill up empty spaces. For optimum protection seal all boxes or cartons with tape.
7. Make sure you pack bulky objects like books and tools in small cartons. For convenience, limit the weight of every container, irrespective of their sizes, to 30lbs. or less.
8. Thoroughly clean appliances before storing them. Secure all handy items with paper, or wedge and cover a paper pad around each and every item for extra protection. During transit, seal all shut doors with tape, but make sure you wedge them open for storage.
9. All books must be packed flat or leveled to protect their back (spine) from damage. Line the boxes with plastic material and fill up empty compartments with packing paper.
10. Use plenty of paper to store glassware and dishes. Set a layer of packing paper at the bottom and also on top of boxes. Make sure you Wrap each glass and dish separately and pad them with crumpled paper. Plates are best stacked on edge.
11. Inside wardrobe boxes, hang all draperies and clothes.
12. Lampshades and lamps should be packed in different containers. Make use of clean paper or clothes for extra padding.
13. Paintings and mirrors should be carefully packed with paper. Keep them in special mirror pouches or boxes and ensure they are properly labeled.
STORAGE TIPS
1. Never set boxes or cartons directly on concrete surfaces, instead make use of pallets or skids to facilitate ventilation around and under items.
2. Store items you don’t use regularly at the back of each unit.
3. Once you pack the storage, churn out a center aisle for easy access to all items.
4. Remove legs if you are storing tables or other furniture and store tabletops and sofas on edge, to conserve space.
5. Old photos have tendency to curl with time. In order to keep them leveled, position them between 2 pieces of cardboard and tape altogether.
6. Drain out oil and gas from machines like lawn mowers as well as other machines with small engines.
7. You are not permitted according to State law to stock illicit drugs or drug supplies, explosives, firearms, perishables, liquids, live animals, fuels and highly flammable liquids, toxic materials, or stuff that call for a controlled environment.
8. Trash bag or can should be utilized in storing tools like hoes, shovels and rakes.
9. Make sure Mattresses are covered and stored on leveled surfaces.
10. Ensure you treat every wood surface before storing and make use of protective covers.
11. When storing metallic objects, clean all metal surfaces with a piece of cloth or rag containing few drops of engine oil, this should be done to avoid rust.
12. Store clothes, blankets, and draperies on the hanger in the wardrobe box.
13. Make sure you use quality locks on all your units. Locking systems are available in the market for purchase. Simply seek advice from your site supervisor for the best.
14. Constantly use weather control (if available) for weather sensitive objects.
15. If possible, set tables and dressers on top of each other to save space.