Packing Tips
Storage Packing Tips
How you pack your items for storage is important. You can store more if it’s well packed, and items will store better long term if you’ve taken the care to pack carefully.
Choose the right box
It might sound daft but putting items in the right sized box is important. It’s easier to stack boxes in a unit if you have more small and medium boxes than large boxes. Use smaller boxes for heavy items, as it will stop you making boxes too heavy to lift. Lighter items such as bedding can be stored in larger boxes. Boxes are better than plastic bin bags, as they allow for ventilation. Bags also tear easily, we’ve all had that moment when a plastic bag gives up and the contents are scattered on the floor. Boxes will protect your belongings, and can be safely stacked.
Don’t over pack boxes
Heavy items need to be at the bottom of each box, so the base is stable. Boxes shouldn’t be over packed so the sides don’t bulge out, if they’re square they stack better. They should also not be under packed, the contents of a half empty box can shift and get broken in transit, and the box will crush easier if something is put on top of it. If you can’t fill the space with something else that’s small and light use packing beads or scrunched up paper to fill the space.
Tape and label
A box that’s taped shut is more rigid than one that isn’t – so remember to tape them up once they’re full so they will stack nicely. You should also label them with what’s inside and maybe add a ‘this way up’ arrow to make sure they’re not left the wrong way round. It’ll save you time later as you won’t have to open them all up if you’re looking for something.
Packing clothes for storage
If you have a lot of clothes to store you can get hanging wardrobe boxes. These allow clothes on hangers to be stored hanging, which stops them being badly creased. These also reduce packing time as you can move clothes straight from the wardrobe to the hanging box without folding. You can also use these boxes to store curtains or bedding if they are delicate and shouldn’t be folded.
Prep items for storage
If you’re storing power tools such as lawn mowers make sure you’ve drained their fuel tank. You’re not allowed to store fuel in your unit, as it’s a fire hazard. Garden tools should be stored clean to stop mould and bad smells in your storage unit.
Appliances such as washing machines, fridges and freezers should be cleaned and dried before storage. Anything with a battery should have the battery removed, as this may leak and cause damage.
You should wrap furniture, upholstered items may also need to be padded to stop any pressure from anything placed on them from stretching the fabric and damaging them. Any cushions that can be removed should be taken off and wrapped.
Flat pack furniture should be taken apart as this will make them smaller and easier to store – that’s why furniture shops sell items flat packed! When you take them apart tie or box the bits together (avoid sticking them together with tape as it could mark the surface) put all of the screws into a bag or envelope and tie this onto the package so you know which screws belong to each item. You can label the envelope with the name of the item so you know what each one is.
Working Hours
In Reading and Spencers Wood
Our office is open Monday to Thursday from 9am until 4pm, Friday 9am until 1pm and Saturday 9.30am until 12:30pm.
If you have rented storage from us you will have access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Mammoth Self Storage,
20-22 and 24 Richfield Avenue,
Reading,
Berkshire,
RG1 8EQ
Mammoth Self Storage,
1 Wellington Industrial Estate,
Spencers Wood
Berkshire,
RG7 1AW