30 Expert Tips To Save Money And Make Space in Storage
You never know when you’re going to need a long-term or short-term storage solution. You might be downsizing or in between houses and your rental can’t fit all your gear while your new house is being built. You might be a collector, or the in-laws have moved in (or prodigal kids have returned!) and they’re not sure what to do with their extra furniture for now.
Or perhaps you’ve decided to pack up the house and travel around Australia for a while or you’ve done a new year de-clutter and now don’t know what to do with the extra stuff you don’t need in your house.....so many reasons for heading down the self-storage path.
We spoke to the team at Tankar Self Storage Centre in Mittagong to get some tips on how to plan, pack and store like a professional mover would. These guys are definitely the experts –that’s what 30 years in biz does!
PREP
Smart self-storage prep is all about being proactive about protecting what you store.
1. Make a list of what you’ll be storing.
2. Work out how much space you’ll need by visiting the self-storage centre with your inventory list and chatting with the team about which storage space is going to work best.
3. Invest in good quality boxes and the right packing supplies to get the job done efficiently (you don’t want all the crockery falling out of the old box you’ve had sitting in the garage for years!!)
4. Defrost refrigerators and freezers.
5. Drain washing machines and tie hoses and cords.
6. Wipe down and ensure appliances are thoroughly dry.
7. Close up the back area of an oven or fridge to stop vermin from taking up residence.
8. Wipe out any cooking appliances like microwaves and toasters (it’s all about making sure you have nothing in your stuff that will attract hungry little critters).
9. Vacuum couches, chairs, rugs and mattresses – don’t forget to empty your vacuum cleaner when you’re done.
10. Cover mattresses in a heavy-duty mattress bag to protect against dust and mites.
11. Spray wood furniture with furniture polish for added protection.
12. Wipe down metal objects and tools with a little bit of oil to avoid rust.
13. Clean outdoor furniture equipment and garden equipment – don’t forget to empty the petrol out of lawnmowers, whipper snippers and chainsaws!
PACK
Get the packing part right to make transporting and storing a breeze.
14. Wrap mirrors and artwork in bubble wrap or use a picture box. Remember to mark anything breakable as ‘FRAGILE’ on the box.
15. Pack books flat to avoid damaging spines.
16. Separate lamp bases from the shade and wrap for protection in a box.
17. If you’ve got the original boxes of electrical appliances such as TVs, pack them in those and then fill gaps within the box with paper.
18. Disassemble furniture, keeping any hardware and assembly instructions in a plastic bag taped to the relevant piece of furniture.
19. Wrap chair legs with bubble wrap or corrugated cardboard.
20. Pop dryer sheets in boxes with shoes, and wooden cedar balls with your woollens to help deter moths.
21. Don’t overfill your boxes so nobody can lift them – we don’t want any injuries!
STORE
It’s time to get that storage space really working for you and smart placement of items will do just that!
22. Drive right up to the storage unit – no point in lugging things any further than you need to – BTW, all of Tankar Self Storage units are accessible this way. There’s no dealing with lifts and looooong corridors – so good!
23. Start loading up at the back of the unit, placing heavier items on the bottom and stack upwards toward the ceiling.
24. Put items you need to access more often towards the front of the unit.
25. Plan for a narrow walkway to access contents on a more regular basis if you need to.
26. Create a map or inventory list of where items are in the unit – this will save you loooooads of time if you ever need to grab just one item out of storage down the track.
27. Store sofas and mattresses on their ends and stack chairs to maximise space.
28. Make the most of hollow spaces by filling wardrobes, drawers, ottomans and travel luggage with clothing, bedding and linen.
29. When everything is in, cover items with a sheet or drop cloth to protect them from dust.
30. Know when to call in the professionals! Pianos and some types of exercise equipment need special handling.
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This post originally appeared on The Fold Southern Highlands, and runs here with full permission and consent.
