A General Packing Guide for Self-Storage

Self-storage doesn’t have to be a space you visit a couple of times a year to dig something out of a stack of boxes. It can be a highly organised, easily accessible facility that frees up necessary space in your home or office. To get the most out of your unit, it’s best to plan in advance of the day you need self-storage.

This step-by-step plan should help you along the way:

WHAT WILL YOU STORE?

1. Depending on what you plan to store, you may want to think about making an inventory.

2.  Start by identifying items that will be packed in boxes and stacked.

3. Prioritise boxed items you will want to access most (they’ll go closer to the front of the unit).

4. Group by fragility and/or weight – heavier, substantial items should be stored on the bottom of stacked items, delicate items on top.

5. Consider awkward-sized items that won’t stack well, including how often you will need to use them, and how heavy they are.  Group these items in a similar way you did the boxes.

WHAT SIZE UNIT?

Nobody wants to pay for space they don’t need. But a little extra space makes moving around within the unit much easier and gives you room to add unplanned items.

Only you know how much stuff you have to store, but we are always happy to help if you are unsure. Visiting Self Store & more prior to booking a unit is always advisable as we have a range of different sized units for you to choose from. We are also happy to visit your premises to provide a free, no obligation assessment on the correct type and size storage unit you will require.

BE ORGANISED – PLAN YOUR PACKING

Organising and efficiently packing your items will take time and concentration. However, the up-front effort will be well worth it when you’re able to easily unload and organise your items at the storage unit (or at your premises if you use our Mobile Self-Storage collection service www.selfstoreandmore.co.uk/mobile-self-storage). Here are some tips for packing:

Invest in Supplies

 •Use boxes rather than plastic bags. Boxes are sturdier and stack well, taking up less space. Many removals companies require that goods be packed in boxes for transport. Also, sealed plastic bags can trap humidity which can cause damaging mildew.

•Invest in good quality, sturdy boxes and packing materials. Boxes should be sturdy enough to hold up for years under the weight of the stack. You may be tempted to get boxes for free from supermarkets and liquor stores; however, the mismatched shapes and sizes will impede your ability to organize most effectively. You can buy standard-sized boxes and specialty boxes for items such as TVs, videotapes and pictures. If you’re storing long-term, you may want to invest in plastic stacking boxes.

•For wrapping breakables, paper will do, but bubble wrap can be used repeatedly, is cleaner, and because it is transparent, makes identifying contents easier.

Packing boxes, bubble wrap and tape are available for purchase at Monmouth & Ross-on-Wye Self Storage. Please call to discuss your requirements.

Packing Boxes

 •Box up everything that you can. Anything unboxed has an increased risk of being damaged when you access you unit.

•Fill boxes to capacity. The contents in half-empty boxes can shift during transport or lifting. Corners and sides can collapse if there’s nothing to support them. Foam peanuts or paper is useful for filling in the gaps in boxes.

•Distribute the weight in packed boxes evenly. Make sure they are not too heavy to be lifted. It’s better to have lots of small light boxes, rather than a few large heavy boxes if possible.

•Wrap all fragile items and breakables such as dishes, glasses, ornaments, etc. separately. Pack these items tightly into strong or reinforced boxes, filling any gaps with paper or filler. Mark “Fragile” on any boxes containing breakable items.

•Clearly label all boxes on more than one side so you can easily identify the contents.

•Pack books flat to avoid damaging their spines.

Packing Other Items

 •If you plan to store clothes, it’s worth investing in a wardrobe box with a built-in hanging rod.

Large appliances must be prepared correctly for storage:

• Defrost fridges and freezers thoroughly.  This avoids water damage and mildew growth. Tie down the appliance doors during transport, but leave them slightly ajar once in storage.
• Drain washing machines, and tie down hoses and cords before storing them.
• Wipe down the inside of appliances with baking soda before you store them to keep them dry.

•Wrap mirrors and pictures in protective covering such as bubble wrap and mark them as “Fragile.” Cardboard corners can be purchased to protect the sharpest, weakest areas of frames.

•If you do store loose photographs, place them between pieces of clean cardboard and consider taping them together to avoid curling.

•Separate lamp bases and lampshades and wrap them for protection.

•If you’re storing upholstered products such as mattresses and sofas, consider investing in covers, bags or sheeting for additional protection.

•Vacuum-sealed bags work really well for draperies, bedding, and clothing.

•Electrical equipment such as TVs, stereos, and computers should be packed in their original boxes whenever possible. If using other boxes, choose ones that are as close in size to the original as possible, and fill all gaps with paper. Make sure you secure the player arm of a record player and turntable.

•Disassemble furniture such as beds and tables before you store them. Wrap and cover the separate sections, clearly mark them and keep them together. Keep assembly components such as screws and bolts together in a plastic bag, mark them clearly, and tape the bag to the appropriate piece of furniture. (Use tape that is safe for use on furniture, or tape the bag to an inconspicuous place on the piece.) Cover chair legs with bubble wrap or rags for extra protection.

•Spray your wood furniture with a good quality furniture polish before storing it to give it some added protection.

•Treat leather items with a leather conditioner before you store them.

•Wipe down metal objects and tools with a little oil before storing them to avoid rust formation that can occur when the tools are not used regularly.

•When storing a vacuum cleaner, clean out the bag or canister first; bacteria and mould can accumulate otherwise.

•Consider having awkward or heavy pieces such as exercise equipment packed professionally.

As you go, keep an inventory of every item you’ve packed. Ideally, include an estimate of the replacement value of each item you store so that you have some idea of what to insure the stored goods for.

 PACKING YOUR STORAGE UNIT

• At Self Store & more, your unit will already be clean and swept out but you can put down protective canvas sheeting, cardboard or wooden boards on the floor if you prefer.

•Keep a fold-up step stool in your space for accessing hard-to-reach areas.

•Frequently-used items should be placed near the entrance for easy access. This holds true for file boxes and other business items, too.

•Unload the largest items and place them against the far wall, as well as along the sides of the unit. A member of staff will be available to assist free of charge if needed.

•For archived business documents that you won’t need to access frequently, place them against the far wall of the unit.

•When arranging items, you can always leave an aisle space for easy access to your items.

Planning, preparing and setting up your self-storage unit may seem like a big chore. However, you will certainly find the time and effort are worth it, when you know that your belongings are properly protected protected, conveniently accessible and well-preserved.

If you need any further advice or wish to discuss how Self Store & more can help with your storage or packaging needs then please call us on 01981 541180 or send us a message via our contact page by clicking here.

Three D’s of self storage…

There are many reasons why you might need to use a self storage unit. Perhaps you’re moving house and need to store your soft furnishings until your new home is decorated and ready to move into properly; maybe you’re super-organised and want to put away your summer clothes now that the Autumn weather is on its way, to make room for your winter wardrobe; maybe your children are starting university and you need somewhere to keep their stuff during the holiday periods;

There are three reasons however which are particularly common: “the three D’s”…

Downsizing

Moving from a larger home into a smaller one naturally means that you’ll have less space for all the belongings you’ve amassed over the years. Many of our customers are people who have retired and moved into smaller, more manageable homes, and others are parents of grown-up children who no longer need as many bedrooms. They’re looking for somewhere to store those belongings that no longer fit into their home but that they don’t want to sell or give away yet.

Items of furniture that don’t fit the space available can be hard to part with, particularly if they have sentimental or significant monetary value. Furniture that you don’t have room for anymore can also still have huge potential practical value for your loved ones: if your children or grandchildren are not yet settled in their own homes, it’s possible that they may need to use your spare beds or wardrobes when they get their own places. Keeping that furniture safe and dry in the meantime could really help out, financially, at a time when your children or grandchildren have had to pay legal and moving fees as well as a hefty deposit on a new home.

Divorce

Alas, divorce is a common event for many people and necessarily involves a move for one or both spouses. Even the swiftest divorce proceedings take 3 – 6 months with a fair wind, and until they are concluded it can be difficult to finalise financial arrangements and agree who will live where. Many separating couples move into temporary, rented accommodation pending a resolution of their financial affairs.

If you have to move into a smaller property or into furnished, rented accommodation, you will probably have possessions that you don’t have room for in your new place. Like the ownership of the matrimonial home itself, you and your ex may not agree on who will get what furniture in the early days, but you shouldn’t forget that you will ultimately need to furnish your own home in the long term. Even if you don’t have room for them now, you should still try to keep what you’ll eventually need after the dust has settled. A bed, wardrobe, chairs, as well as personal items such as clothing can all be safely stored in one of our self storage units until you have space for them again.

Death

Death is never easy to accept, and as well as coping with the emotional aspects of losing a loved one you may have to deal with practical issues too. Sorting through the home of a deceased relative is not something any of us would choose to do, but it will be necessary in order to wind up their estate. It can take time, and it can also be very difficult, in the midst of grief, to know exactly what to sell and what to keep. There may be items of furniture that you can’t use right now, but will probably need in the future – selling them now will mean that replacements will have to be purchased at a later date.

If you’ve lost someone close to you, there may also be items of sentimental value that you want to keep to remember them by: their favourite chair; a picture that always hung in their living room; blankets or items of clothing that still hold their scent. Giving those things away or selling them might be unbearable. Storing them somewhere dry and clean will give you time to decide whether or not to keep your loved one’s belongings in the long run

For more information about any of our self storage services, please have a look through our website or contact us by email [email protected], telephone 01981 541180 or via our website quote request form.

Building Work – Don’t let your dreams turn into a disaster.

With the warm weather and longer days, you’ll want to get all your building work or renovations done now. After all, having work done in the house when it’s pouring down is no fun at all – in fact, it can be a major inconvenience!
While the workers you hired are happy to get on with their tasks, you’re probably on standby with the hoover to catch any dust or are busy keeping the kettle on the boil for any on-demand brews.
This is all fine. The problem begins when you have to tuck all of your belongings away. This can be a bit challenging and send your stress levels sky high. Of course, it doesn’t have to be like that. Building work shouldn’t be synonymous with building stress.

No Space, No Problem
If you don’t have a lot of space in your home you will probably need to move your furniture about. After all, the workers need to move around freely without being hindered by your furniture. However, you may not be able to place your furniture in another room of your home, especially if you don’t have a spare bedroom (and piling your stuff on top of your other stuff is far from ideal)!
And can you imagine anything worse than having to take out all of your furniture and put it on the kerb while you have work done in the house? You’ll soon get tired of explaining to your neighbours that no, you’re not having a garage sale or quickly trying to cover your prized possessions in plastic during the unexpected rainfall.
On the other hand, putting your furniture in storage temporarily, can solve all of your problems. You don’t have to worry about space and will have peace of mind of knowing that everything is safe and ready for you to collect when you want.

Damage Can Be Real… Very Real
If the work you’re having done has even a slight chance of damaging your belongings, you’re likely to be stressed about it. It could be simple paintwork, a mess about with the water pipes, or the installation of a new floor.
No matter why you’ve called workers to your home, the last thing you want is to be on edge worrying about your antique table or model car collection.
The only sure way to ensure you can avoid any damage to your belongings is to get them out of the house! By placing them in storage, you can rest assured that your belongings will be well-taken care of and there’s no way they will get damaged during the building work.

The Old “I’ll Just Cover This with Plastic”
No matter how long workers take to finish the job, it’s likely you won’t want to live in a crinkly mess for that time. Maybe you’re having the house painted or maybe you’re finally getting that wall knocked down to make more room for a baby – instead of resorting to plastic, have you considered putting your belongings in storage?
This way, your home will still look tidy (well, as tidy as it can be when you’re having work done…) and you don’t have to live in a plastic nightmare!
Take Advantage of Self Store & More’s range of storage options to suit your needs
Be it because you don’t want to keep moving furniture around or because you’re afraid that despite your precautions your possessions may still end up damaged – take a look at our range of self storage options available as we are sure there is a solution to suit your needs.
The alternative is to keep covering the furniture with cloth or plastic sheets, keep moving each piece around as needed (especially difficult if they weigh a ton, making you regret getting that solid oak dresser!), and constantly and obsessively checking for any marks or chipped corners. Not to mention the inconvenience of clambering around and over all the out-of-place items.

Why go through all that?

With building work ongoing, life is often stressful enough. So, don’t add to it by stressing about your belongings all the time.

Why not visit our website pages and take a look at the following options to find out which solution suits your needs? Of course, if you wish to discuss your requirements with an experienced member of staff then please do not hesitate to call our 24/7 customer support service, email [email protected] or complete our website Quote Request Form.

• Warehouse Storage Units – Available in three different sizes
• Mobile Self Storage Collection Service – Save time, money & effort on removals and van hire and let us collect direct from your door.
• Store @ Your Door – Why not have a secure storage unit delivered and sited at your home – the most convenient storage solution you’ll find.
• Steel Storage Units – Available is 8’, 10’, 20’ and 40’ lengths
• Heated Store Rooms – Starting from only 45 sq. ft

Access to all of our units are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (some by appointment only) so, if you need to collect, drop off or simply have a look through your items, we will be here to help when it suits you.

For further information, please have a read through our website or contact us 7 days a week to find out how we can help protect your possessions in a cost effective, convenient and stress free way.

Tips for DIY Beginners.

Tips for DIY Beginners

Now the days are longer and the weather is warmer many of us will start to think about improving our home ready for the summer. For some, this can be an exciting time but, for others, the thought of DIY can seem daunting. If completed correctly, it is a great way of improving your home whilst saving money on professionals so here are some tips before starting.

1. Know what you’re getting into – Before starting your DIY project, brush up on the work needed and educate yourself by reading a DIY how-to site on-line, watching a demonstration video or even asking a friend who has relevant experience. Having motivation is essential to see the project through, but you really need to know how to do the job first.
2. Budgeting for your project – keep some budget aside for unforeseen costs – even a professional will have a contingency for each project. Having to stop your project before it’s finished due to lack of funds can be avoided if you budget correctly and keep a list of all the materials and their costs as you go along.
3. Know what you CANNOT do – Some things, such as working with gas and most new electrical work, are covered by regulations which prohibit the ordinary DIY’er from carrying out the work even in their own home The regulations are there for safety sake so don’t try to do these jobs, not only is it against the law but you can endanger yourself and your family.
4. Stay safe at all times – Make sure to always read safety instructions on all products and tools, and use protective clothing when necessary. Protective clothing such as goggles and gloves won’t cost you much and will be of use for years to come.
5. Start small – To avoid disappointment, possible damage and possible expense of getting a professional to finish it off, make your first DIY project a simple job and get bolder as you gain experience. Although knocking down a wall may look simple enough, more experience DIY veterans and professionals will know to look for possible complications such as what the wall supports, water pipes, electricity cables and other issues.
6. Always test – For many DIY projects, particularly for complicated ones always test your skills and materials on a small scale first. This will allow you to try out your tools, ensure you have all the necessary materials and avoid causing any damage. For example, if you decided to re-coat your hardwood floor after several years of use, testing your method first on a small surface area is what most retailers recommend.
7. Allow enough time and don’t rush the job – When starting your DIY project, the chances are you will discover that whatever it is, it takes longer than you thought. Because there’s nothing worse than ending up with half a job done, make sure you allow enough time to complete the work and allow some extra time for complications. Some projects seem to require one weekend, but in reality one weekend could eventually spread across a few.
8. Protect your prized possessions – this is where a local self storage company can help. There is nothing worse than trying to carry out DIY whilst constantly bumping into the furniture that has been left stacked up in the middle of the room. There are not many homes that can accommodate two rooms in one and still be habitable so, by clearing out the bulky furniture you will ultimately save lots of undue stress and effort. At Self Store & More, we have small, medium and large storage solutions to suit your needs so why not contact us to find out how we can help you.
9. Finally and most importantly  – Enjoy your project so you look forward to the next one.