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9 Simple Tips to Prepare Your Items for a Storage Unit

Is your home cramped with clutter? Are you planning to move to a new house or fly abroad? When you need to keep your stuff safe and secure for an extended time, storage facilities are the ideal option. However, you must ensure that all your items are well-prepared for long-term storage away from home. So before you stuff your boxes, here’re nine simple tips to organize and prepare your items for a storage unit:

  1. Choosing the Right Storage Unit for Your Needs

Whether you’re storing your items for a short duration or planning to keep your belongings for a long time, choosing the right type and size of storage unit has a direct impact on the condition and safety of your belongings. If you’re living in a small house and need space, you can store your clutter in mini storages. People who need to move to another location and wish to store household and furniture items temporarily should go for larger storage units.

Hong Kong is the fourth most densely-populated city in the world, with over 7.5 million people of different nationalities residing in compact accommodations. The increased requirement for space has prompted many families and individuals to relocate clutter and excess belongings to storage facilities spread around the city and its outskirts. Some storage facilities, like SC Storage, provide state-of-the-art storage units in various sizes. They have the most affordable mini storage Hong Kong has to offer, with 24/7 accessibility, video surveillance, and excellent security service. 

Before you rent a storage unit, it’s important to consider the following aspects:

  • Look for the best storage facility in town that has established its credibility over the years. Check customer reviews and stories on the website and social media. 
  • Check for proximity to your location. Storage units should be located in a closer vicinity to access your belongings easily. 
  • Make sure the storage facility provides security surveillance and 24-hour accessibility to your storage unit.
  1. Sort Out Your Belongings

Go through your belongings thoroughly and carefully. Clear out anything that does not have any monetary or sentimental value. Discard whichever items you think are just lying around. Paying extra money for things of no particular use is not a wise option. Instead of hoarding unnecessary stuff, try donating or discarding it. 

  1. Avoid Storing Dangerous and Prohibited Items 

Get a detailed list of restricted items per your storage unit’s guidelines. Every storage unit facility has its list of prohibited items depending on their respective climate control systems and type of storage unit. 

Avoid any liquid items that may be inflammable, including petroleum products, perfumes, oils, chemicals, items with explosive tendencies, and other hazardous items like fireworks, narcotics, fertilizers, paints, sprays, etc. Perishable items like food, beverages, plants, soil, etc., should not be stored as they can result in mold and mildew growth, attracting insects inside the storage area.

  1. Create a List of Items

Make a careful inventory of the possessions you intend to store in the storage unit. It will allow you to keep track of your belongings every time you visit the storage facility. 

If you’re moving to another location, it’s easier to lose track of your belongings when you pack and move them into a storage unit. Once you’ve settled in, you won’t have to go through every box to locate what you need. A smarter option would be to keep separate lists of items that include everything you have in storage and everything you want to bring with you.

  1. Run a Thorough Cleaning Cycle of All Items

All your belongings are going to be stored for a long period. This is why you must ensure they are thoroughly cleaned before packing them. Any item that is damp, dusty, and has any residue of perishable items invite the growth of mold, mildew, and other bacteria that may damage your belongings permanently. Thoroughly vacuum and clean all the items and ensure there are no dirt and food remnants on the surfaces. If possible, use anti-fungal cleaning sprays to wipe off the surfaces before wrapping them up. 

  1. Use of Cardboard Boxes vs. Clear Plastic

While cardboard boxes are one of the most cost-effective and eco-friendly packing materials, you can get completely lost in a pile of boxes since they are opaque, and you can’t see through the box to check its contents. It’s natural for cardboard to deteriorate within months of use. Moreover, cardboard boxes are prone to damage in moderate to high-humidity environments. 

Plastic containers are a much better alternative to cardboard boxes. Their transparent structure allows more visibility, making items stored in plastic containers easier to locate. Moreover, the plastic is waterproof, protecting your belongings from humidity and water. However, plastic containers are more expensive compared to cardboard boxes. The type of box or container you choose for your items depends on your budget, item type, and climate conditions. 

  1. Label Boxes in Bold and Clear

The boxes will be piled up in the storage unit, and the only way to identify what’s inside each box is to label each box with clear, bold text. Use a contrasting color for labeling, making the text more visible from a distance. You can also attach a list of items alongside if the box has random items inside. 

  1. Prepare Your Electronic Appliances

Clean and prepare your electronics beforehand for storage. Using foam sheets and corrugated cardboard as a protective layer keeps your electronics safe from breakage and shock damage. You can also use the inside space of large electronics like refrigerators to store non-perishable items for smart use of space. You can put dryer sheets inside items like a dishwasher, microwave, or refrigerator to prevent the growth of mildew or fungus over time. 

  1. Disassemble Large Furniture and Other Items

If you are storing large furniture or other items in storage units, try to disassemble each item to make use of space and tuck them smartly in the storage facility. Dismantling also reduces the wear and tear of bigger items like furniture. Try placing long items vertically adjacent to the wall and place furniture parts deeper inside to make room for boxes and items you may require frequently.  

Final Thoughts

Whether you want to free up some space in your home or store your stuff before moving, renting a storage unit is the best way to protect your valuable items. Before relocating your possessions, make sure you pack them in quality materials and properly clean the storage unit. We hope the tips above will help you organize and prepare your goods for storage and safeguard them from damage during storage.

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