Self Storage Tips and Tricks
What you should Know before storing your items in a storage unit.
1.) Think about storage insurance. Call the storage insurance company on our website to see if they’re available for you. Although they may not cover everything, they may cover some and some might be better than nothing.
2.) Plastic or cardboard boxes? That is the question. Plastic bins with lids are excellent choices for clothes, linens, blankets, and anything else that you want to keep dry. These inexpensive plastic containers can be found at any hardware or home improvement store. Cardboard boxes are best to store books or other items that aren’t so moisture sensitive.
3.) Try to pack on a dry and sunny day. Avoid snow storms and rain storms if at all possible. Packing on snow and rain storms will guarantee that your items will be damp. Damp items have a greater chance of mold growth. Spores are left behind on dirty or damp items that can cause mold growth. Try to leave natural dehumidifiers behind in the unit. For example, charcoal briquettes are excellent natural dehumidifiers. As well as kitty litter, and desiccant bags. All these little things will help keep your unit dry. It is recommended that you also change these items with new ones every 30 -60 days.
4.) Before you decide to store your items in a storage unit it is recommended that you clean, wash, dry, and sanitize your items. Dirt and especially food or food left behind in couches and clothing can draw attention to pests and other unwanted insects. Although our facilities are treated for pest control, pests can still find their way into your units if you store dirty or unclean items. Another reason you want to store clean and dry items is that mold can start to grow and spread in your storage unit and it’s possible that mold can ruin or rot certain items. Items that are made of metal may rust or rot away in damp conditions. Wet items stored in your units may affect other items that are not damp causing them to get ruined. Give yourself plenty of room to store your items so they have air moving around them. A vapor barrier and pallets on the floor would be an added benefit to help ensure that your items don’t get wet.