5 Tips To Prepare Your Belongings for Long-Term Storage Like A Pro
You might think storing your items in a facility is simple: move them to storage, lock the door, and forget about them. But to keep your belongings in good condition for the long haul, you must plan and carefully prepare them in their storage containers. Trust us: We've seen it all at Armbruster Moving & Storage.
We are always trying to find new ways to help our community find solutions for their moving and storage problems. So, we put together this handy list of tips and tricks for long-term storage to maximize your experience and keep your items in day-one condition.
1. Gather Your Supplies.
The quality of your packing materials can make all of the difference in the longevity of your belongings in long-term storage. Invest in good-quality materials and start with the following essentials:
- Packing tape
- Labels and permanent markers
- Furniture covers and blankets
- Packing paper and bubble wrap
- Plastic containers and sturdy cardboard boxes
- Moisture control materials (silica gel)
2. Make an Inventory List.
It's important to keep a list of all the items you choose to store to keep track of them. As you pack, write down the items you are storing and where they are in your unit/boxes to make it easier to locate your belongings if needed. It's also a good idea to take pictures of more fragile or delicate items for documentation purposes.
PRO TIP: When you partner up with us to pack, load, and store your items in our facilities, we create a digital inventory of your belongings. That’s just one of many things that Armbruster Moving & Storage can get checked off of your to-do list!
3. Pack Like (or with) Professional.
Don’t be afraid to call in packing professionals like Armbruster Moving & Storage if you are feeling overwhelmed! Our dedicated packing specialists are here to help you every step of the way. If you are going to go it alone, follow these guidelines:
- Clothing and Fabric Items: To protect from pests and dust, use vacuum-sealed bags or sealed plastic containers with cedar balls or mothballs.
- Furniture: To protect against scratches, tack heavier items on the bottom and lighter items on top, using furniture covers and blankets.
- Books/Documents: Stack books and documents flat in plastic containers to keep moisture out and protect the spines.
- Fragile Items and Glass: Wrap each item individually in bubble wrap and pad the boxes or containers to protect items in case of movement. Make sure the container is clearly labeled.
- Electronics: Make sure to remove any batteries in case of corrosion, and use bubble wrap and anti-static packing materials.
4. Make Sure To Label!
You want to make the unpacking process as simple as possible, so label all of your boxes clearly to avoid confusion. The best method is to use a waterproof permanent marker on cardboard boxes, and you can also use tape to label plastic containers so you can reuse them in the future.
5. The Storage Facility You Choose Matters.
You want to consider things like price and the size of the storage unit you will need—that's a given. However, some further details you may want to consider are whether you want to choose self-storage or a full-service facility.
Self-storage facilities require tenants to have their own insurance for goods while in storage at their facility, meaning they are not liable for anything that could happen to your items. Full-service storage facilities like Armbruster Moving & Storage are liable for handling household goods from pick up to delivery. Goods are professionally loaded into and out of our facilities, which offer advanced climate controls and excellent, customer-award-winning security.
Long-term storage doesn't mean goodbye forever to your belongings; it just means goodbye for now. Keeping your items in the condition they were stored for the long haul doesn't have to be a stressful experience: It just takes a little preparation and gathering of suitable materials. To learn more about the moving and storage process, check out our blog page and read more helpful resources.
