Storage units are used by people for different reasons. Some require a temporary storing facility to store belongings between their interstate move due to a new job or a job transfer or for studying purposes. Some require storage units as they are in the middle of selling their existing house and buying a new one. Yet some others may require a storage facility to stay organised by storing their belongings that have seasonal use only.

If you want to use a self-storage facility for long-term or short-term, it is essential to follow certain packing and storage tips to ensure your belongings remain in good condition. Follow the below-mentioned packing and storage tips for storing your belongings securely in a self-storage facility:

• Buy adequate boxes early & start packing them as soon as you can. It will ensure you’re fully prepared on the moving day, as delays can be costly & very stressful.

• Try to use boxes of uniform size, as they’re easier to stack.

• If you’re storing a lot of packing boxes in your unit, try to fill them to the top, even if it’s just with padding & old, crumpled newspapers. Half-filled boxes tend to collapse if anything’s placed on them.

• Books should be packed flat so that the spines won’t break in smaller boxes. Never pack fragile items with books.

• Items packed into each box should be listed in a duplicate invoice book. Then, number each box with their invoice number on all sides. Packing & labelling boxes room by room makes the unpacking easier.

• Note details of packed contents in a book & store it by the unit’s door for easy reference. No matter how each box is stored, you’ll know its contents by looking at the numbered boxes. Keep duplicate copies in your home’s storage folder.

• Seal boxes completely with packing tape to keep out dust and to strengthen them.

• Clothing that ordinarily hangs in a closet should be packed in a port-a-robe carton.

• If you’re putting any metal objects into storage – like lawnmowers or file cabinets – it’s best to treat them with rust protector first, or at least wipe them down with an oily rag.

• If you’re storing a refrigerator in your unit leave the door ajar. This will prevent mould from growing inside.

• Refrain from keeping anything flammable or combustible in your storage building. This means you must never store fuel, oil, cleaning fluids or paint thinner.

• If you’re storing any type of machinery that runs on petrol or any other fuel type, please drain the tank fully before you store it.

• Put soft furnishings – i.e. lounges and bed mattresses in plastic covers.

• Great care should be given to avoid storing anything that could attract vermin/pests. Food of any description must not be stored – this includes wheat bags, dried flowers, etc.

• Drain your washing machine fully. Put each hose-end in a plastic sandwich bag & seal the bag tightly around the hose-end with a rubber band so that leftover water doesn’t leak out into your unit & damage your goods.

No matter, how long you want to keep your belongings in a self-storage; it’s always a good idea to label your items. You can either use a checklist or a mobile moving app to keep track of your belongings – it will not only enable you to make sure that each box is stored fittingly with regards to its contents but will also assist you to prevent any loss.

About Hills Self-Storage

Hills Self Storage provides top class self storage solutions for personal as well as business requirements apart from car, boat, and wine storage solutions in Sydney’s Hill’s district (Self-storage facilities are available in Castle Hill and Galston). You’ll get a climate-controlled environment, good level of security, 7-days-a-week accessibility, ability to upsize and downsize as per your exact storage requirements and much more – so you don’t have to worry about anything. For more details, browse our website – www.hillsselfstorage.com.au