Understanding Long Term and Short Term Storage

Do you want to learn the best type of packing materials to use, the best boxes for both long term and short term storage, how to stack your boxes, and the type of tape that you should use to secure your boxes? You are in luck! We will answer these questions as well as show you the best way to pack your belongings. Many people do not realise that how you pack your items should be based on the length of time you will put these items in storage. Following our instructions will help keep your things, safe, secure and organised. Continue reading to learn how to prevent damage and how to save time when packing.

Understanding Short Term Storage Solutions

Storage is considered short term if the items will only be packed less than three months. Short term storage allows you to sort through your items, get your home ready for renovation or sale, or moving. Anytime that you need extra space, i.e. the holidays are fast approaching, you have family coming for a visit, etc., short term storage is the best answer. Self storage in Maida Vale is easy enough to find.

Because the length of time items will be stored is minimal, larger items, such as furniture, will typically not require dust covers. Within this short amount of time, dust and dirt will not have a lot of time to develop and settle on your pieces. All you need to protect your furnishings is a drop cloth or an old sheet to provide the protection your furnishings need for short term storage.

When packing a storage unit, leave an aisle in the centre of the unit. This aisle will allow you to move through the storage unit quickly and find what you are looking for. Arrange your items and boxes along the wall and stack them vertically to increase the amount of storage space in your unit.

Carefully consider how your fragile items will be packed and stored. Although most things in your storage unit do not require intensive protection and packing, your fragile items should be packed properly, even for short term storage. Because these items will be moved often, the risk of breakage increases. Therefore, wrap them carefully and store them in an area that is not utilised often.

Understanding Long Term Storage Solutions

Long term storage allows you to store items for an extended period of time, typically longer than three months. When storing items in long term storage, there are a few things that you should keep in mind, including how you store the items, how you pack the items, and how the items are prepared for long term storage.

Plastic bags should not be used for long term storage. Although you may think that plastic bags will protect against water damage, it isn’t true. Plastic bags trap moisture and increase the growth of mildew and mould on your items.

Opt for sturdy boxes. While using recycled boxes may seem like a great idea, they will be unable to stand up to the strain of long term storage. Standard boxes are not designed for long term storage. You want boxes that have corrugated cardboard liners. Additionally, choose the same sized boxes to aid in storage. If you opt for plastic storage totes, ensure they are high-quality totes that can withstand long term storage.

Pack your fragile items carefully. Use newspaper or bubble wrap to wrap each fragile item. Then, place each individually wrapped item in a box and write what is inside the box so you can quickly find these items. Place these items in a safe location in your storage unit, away from other items.

If you are storing any clothing or fabrics, use vacuum-sealed bags. These bags are specially designed to protect against moisture damage and insect damage by removing all the air from the bag. When the bags are opened, the items inside will be as fresh as they were the day you stored them in the vacuum-sealed bag.

If you will be putting appliances in storage, ensure they are properly cleaned before going in storage. Wipe down all interior and exterior surfaces with bleach or baking soda to destroy all bacteria. All inside surfaces to thoroughly dry to help prevent mildew or mould from growing.

Put your boxes and other items on pallets. If possible, place pallets across the entire floor except for your designated walking path. Then, stack all of your items on top of the pallets. Pallets elevate your items and allow air flow under your boxes.

Whether you are storing items in long term or short term storage, you should label everything clearly. In addition to this, keep an inventory list of the things that are located in your unit. This inventory can be on a clipboard attached to the inside of your storage unit or kept on your mobile phone. Doing an inventory will help you find what you are looking for quickly.