Packing can seem like a tremendous feat to accomplish and can be very stressful at times.  We would like to offer some helpful tips to make your packing experience more enjoyable and take some of the stress out of the job ahead.

Begin by thoroughly inspecting your property you wish to put into storage.  Think carefully about which items you are going to use most often and set them aside so you pack them all together for placement near the door or front of the unit.  Think about packing accessories you will need to properly secure your belongings while in storage.  For example:  paper, boxes (including wardrobes), rope, bubble wrap, tape, mattress and furniture covers and pads.  At this time you will want to thoroughly clean and polish all wood furniture and vacuum off all upholstered furniture.  Tools and anything metal should be lightly oiled to retard rusting of exposed metal.  Condensation can occur even in climate controlled rooms over time.

In order to avoid tipping or collapsing, make sure that all boxes and containers are filled to their capacity.  Fill extra pockets or space with packing paper.  Avoid using newspaper around items that may be stained by newsprint ink.

For easy lifting, pack all heavy items such as books or tools in small boxes.  They should be stored at the bottom of stacks.

A good idea is to number all boxes and containers and make a list of the contents for your records.  The list is useful to locate your goods while in storage.

Wrap and stand sofas and mattresses on end, on a plastic sheet, cardboard, or a furniture pad.  Disassemble beds and tables, wrap them and then stand them on edge along a wall.

Stack boxes on dressers and use drawers to store delicate items.  Store light chairs wrapped and inverted seat-to-seat.

Use the original boxes and containers for everything, if you possibly saved them.  Wrap large lamp bases in padding and pad smaller lamps and put them in boxes.  Pack delicate lamp shades separately in boxes.

Pack wrapped mirrors, pictures, and record albums on edge.  Laying them flat puts pressure on them and will warp and break them.

Appliances should be clean and dry.  Leave refrigerator and freezer doors ajar or remove them.  Some goods can be stored in appliances and stacked on top of them.

Clothing, curtains and drapes should be cleaned and stored on hangers in wardrobe boxes.

Dishes and glassware boxes (dish packs) should have a layer of padding on top and bottom, and each item should be wrapped.  Nest bowls and cups and stand plates on end.  Fill all pockets and empty space with packing paper.

Do not store flammables of explosives of any kind.  No food items are allowed to be stored unless sealed in glass or metal containers.

Before placing your possessions in the storage unit, place a tarp or dust cover over the concrete floor.  And when packing things in the unit, leave a couple inches between your items and the walls to allow for adequate air circulation.  Pack your storage cautiously giving thought to the weight and size of the boxes or containers.  Remember, that the units height is also available for storing.  Be sure to leave a walkway down the middle to the back of the storage space to allow easy access if you need to get at everything while being stored.  Or remember, place the items you are going to use most often near the front door.

If you keep all this in mind you should have no problems with your storage and your property should be quite free of damage and in good condition when you again need its use.

And remember, for your convenience we have all the boxes and packing supplies for sale in each of our offices, that you will need.