If you are moving abroad, downsizing or otherwise unable to find anywhere to keep a significant number of your possessions, long term storage can be the perfect solution. One issue people are sometimes concerned about, however, is what effects long term storage might have on their belongings. The most important way to address this is by making sure you pick a reliable storage company with appropriate facilities. The second is by making sure you prepare your things in the best possible fashion so they will come out of storage in the same condition they entered it.
Choose the right packaging
The first step in keeping your possessions in good condition is to make sure they are packed correctly. Cardboard boxes might be a good choice when you’re moving house, or storing things short term, but for long term storage plastic crates are much better. As well as being more robust, minimising the risk of physical damage to your things, plastic crates help keep moistures out, providing the ultimate protection.
Protecting breakables
Make sure to pack breakables in newspaper, old clothes, bubble wrap or packing peanuts to prevent them moving around. It’s also a good idea to pack things as tightly as you safely can as this will reduce the chances of them shifting around.
Pictures and mirrors should be stored on end, never flat, and ideally wrapped in robust paper, such as heavy duty brown paper, then wrapped in bubble wrap or old blankets.
Vacuum packing
If you are storing clothes, vacuum packing has two clear advantages. Firstly, it reduces the amount of space your clothes will take up, allowing you to fit more into storage for the same price. Secondly, it is a really good way to keep your clothes safe from damage as it will keep moisture and bugs out.
Moisture control
Although a good quality storage facility should keep your possessions relatively safe from moisture, there is always a risk from condensation. It is, therefore, a good idea to take steps to control any moisture that does find its way into your storage containers. Moisture absorbing crystals are a simple and cheap solution that can give you peace of mind and prevent you coming back to find your precious things covered in mould.
Plan ahead
One of the easiest way to damage the things you put in storage is actually when you come to take them back out. Think if there are any things you are putting into storage that you are likely to want access to before taking everything else and make sure these goes into the storage container last. This will make it easy for you to get them out without disturbing everything else, which not only saves you effort, but also reduces the chance of you damaging anything by hauling everything out and then repacking it.
It’s also a good idea to ensure that any furniture fixings, power cables etc. are bagged, labelled and placed with whatever they came from as this will ensure all of your things are still usable when they finally come out of storage.
Get expert help
Any good long term storage company will be able to offer you a range of advice on the best ways to pack and protect your possessions for storage. Make sure to ask as many questions as you can up front, before you commit to any one company as how helpful and knowledgeable they are should be a good indication of whether you are dealing with a reputable, reliable company or not!
At Intransit we have more than 17 years’ experience in the removals and storage industry. We have the expertise to provide a service you can trust, whether you are moving home or just looking to store some of your possessions on a short or long term basis.
To find out more, or to request a quote, call 01225 759200 or send us an email.
