Packing and Storing Tips for Self Storage Customers

When prospective clients visit your self storage facility, give them a guide on how to pack and store their belongings. Customers appreciate the tips and hints because they are from the experts.  When you create your tips sheet, be sure to include the following information.

• Don’t use random boxes from the grocery store or ones that your neighbor gives you. Instead, use boxes that are uniform in size.  This makes it easy to stack and organize what you put in your storage unit. Most self storage facilities sell boxes and it would be a worthwhile investment to purchases sturdy boxes that are all the same size.
• Put the heaviest boxes on the bottom.  Stack lighter weighted boxes on the top.  That way, heavy boxes won’t crush the light ones.
• If you only partially fill a box, add padding or crumpled newspapers.  This will help the boxes from collapsing if something is put on top of it.
• Put as much of your possessions in boxes as you possibly can – especially expensive items. Place those boxes at the back of your storage unit so they are not in view to the public.
• Clearly label the boxes. Since there are several different ways, select the one that best suits your needs. You can simply write the name of the room that the items go in (e.g. kitchen, bathroom, master bedroom, etc.) Write the contents on the box (e.g. winter clothing, bedding, books, etc.) For privacy, put a number on the box.  Then, on a separate sheet of paper, keep the number of the box and what the contents are.
• In addition to putting the valuable, expensive items at the back of your unit, put items in the back that you know that you will not need. Put seasonal items at the back and things that you know you won’t need access to. If you know that you will need to use items fairly often, make sure they are at the front of the unit and that the boxes are labeled.  (Labeling all four sides is best.) This makes access easy and shortens the time needed to find your belongings.
• If at all possible, stack boxes in rows. Leave small walkways between the rows. This way, you won’t have to stumble over boxes and items when you get things from your storage unit. And, you won’t have to rearrange things in order to get to the boxes that you need.
• Never store flammable materials in your unit.  This includes gas, oils, cleaning fluid, and paint thinner. Do not store perishable food items.
• Put down 2 x 4 boards and put your boxes on top of them. This keeps the boxes off the floor and guards against them moisture and mildew.