Self Storage Tips
  • Remember to sprinkle some naphthalene flakes among your books and clothing for long term storage
  • Always pack the items you may need at the front of a storage unit and the large items you will not require at the back
  • Do not store or wrap anything in plastic as this can cause humidity and mould
  • Pack heavy items and boxes on the bottom.  Nothing should be placed on boxes marked fragile
  • Use good packing boxes as they are of uniform size, easier to stack and hold the weight
  • Use specialty designed boxes with foam inserts for frames
  • Wrap breakables in bubble wrap
  • Fridges, freezers and other white goods should be clean and dry before storing, with a deodoriser inside for freshness and the door left slightly ajar
  • Stoves and other cooking equipment should be cleaned thoroughly
  • Tools should always be cleaned before storage
  • Remove batteries from all toys and equipment as leaking batteries can cause permanent damage
  • Stack books flat - not on spines, in small cartons
  • Computers, televisions and stereos should be packed in its original packaging if available.  Otherwise bubble wrap and good quality cartons will suffice. Fill the gaps with the wrap
  • Plates and crockery should be individually wrapped in white paper. Fill all gaps with scrunched paper and label fragile
  • Empty wardrobes and drawer units
  • Dissemble beds
  • Wrap furniture in blankets, not plastic
  • Vacuum and clean upholstery and rugs prior to storage
  • Wipe chrome and cast iron items with a cloth containing machine oil
  • Empty mowers and machinery of fuel and oil to avoid leakage and a fire hazard.  Place on a piece of cardboard
  • Store records and CD's on their edge
  • Other large items wrap with blankets, bubble wrap or packaging materials.
  • As food attracts vermin, most storage facilities will not allow food items to be stored unless in approved containers.  Tupperware appears to be the only approved brand.  Check with the facility before making the decision to store food or your insurance may be void.
  • Computer disks should be stored with a specialised storage company designed to keep them safe and secure
  • YOU CANNOT STORE IN A STORAGE FACILITY any hazardous materials, combustible materials or aerosols as they have the potential to combust or explode and destroy everything in the warehouse.   Examples are acid, gasoline poisons, charcoal, lighter fluid, fertilizer, paint, batteries, matches, nail polish and remover, ammunition, liquid bleach, aerosols, kerosene, pool chemicals, chemistry sets, fireworks, pesticides, motor oil, paint thinner, loaded weapons, weed killer, ammonia, propane tanks or cleaning fluid
Source: relocating.com.au