Important Tips to Protect Your Belongings When They're in Storage

Before you put your belongings in storage, you want to consider how you pack them and protect them from potential damage. Rarely is a storage facility responsible for damage to your items, and sometimes the smallest thing you do can cause that damage. On the other hand, there are small things you can do to ensure everything you store away is as good as new when you're ready to take it out of the unit. Note a few important tips for protecting your belongings when they're in storage and remember these before you next move.

1. Tape over screws and other connectors

When storing items like bed frames or any piece with exposed screws, connectors, and rough edges, take the time to tape over these. This will protect any other piece that may come into contact with that edge or connector. However, be sure you use tape that won't damage the finish when it's removed (painter's tape is a good option). If necessary, use two or three layers of tape to ensure the rough edges are covered.

2. Avoid color transfer

Be sure you properly wrap anything that might transfer color while in storage. As an example, you may be tempted to toss drapes onto a couch you're storing, but the color of the drapes can transfer to the sofa and vice versa. Clothes with certain dyes can have those dyes rub off onto other fabrics. When in doubt about potential color transfer, wrap those items in plastic or ensure they won't touch anything else in storage.

3. Pack books properly

Always lay books flat to avoid damaging their spine. You might also ensure they're packed in a plastic or rubber bin rather than cardboard, as cardboard can absorb and then transfer moisture to the pages and cause them to yellow. It's also good to avoid filling an entire box with books as the box can get very heavy, very quickly, and the bottom might easily give way. Spread your books out among other boxes and bins when storing them.

4. Keep things off the ground

Melting snow or floods from rain, or something that spills in a neighboring unit, can seep under the door of your unit. This is why you want to keep things off the ground, other than rubber or plastic totes. If necessary, find some old pallets and put these down on the ground of your storage unit and stack your items on these. That will keep everything off the ground and safe when in storage.

For more information, contact companies like All Purpose Self Storage.