Many times people will use self-storage to meet their short term needs like when they are relocating or making arrangements for temporary living. In cases like these, people often get by with simple practices and choosing features that meet their short term needs.
However, what do you do when you want to store items for the long term storage units?
Now whether you want to maximize living space or are a business owner who wants to store additional inventory or perhaps some equipment like a boat or automobile you will have to do a couple of things to make proper long-term self-storage possible.
Start by Cleaning Your Items Before Placing then in Long Term Storage Units
You will always want to clean all items before putting them into a self-storage unit regardless of what they may be. That can mean everything from removing dust from your keyboard to cleaning out every nook and cranny of your vehicle or cleaning away lint from the dryer. You will also want to make sure that all items are bone dry.
Debris and dust are known to cause scratches and are the leading cause of deterioration. Plus water can cause rust and corrosion while encouraging the growth of mold on fabrics.
The best way to ensure that items like your mirrors, furniture, and anything else are safe is to cover them with a breathable tarp. That way, dust, and debris will not get on to them.
Package The Long Term Storage Units Correctly
You will always want to use the original packaging for your items. If you don’t have the original packaging available, then a sturdy cardboard box for each item or you can use a plastic tote. However, refrain from overpacking boxes and ensure that they are clearly labeled.
Locate Self Storage in Garfield With the Right Features
You will want to protect and then preserve your items over the course of several months, and so you’ll want to ensure that the storage has climate control. In areas across the Midwest where the temperature can soar from blistering in the summer to frigid in the winter, you don’t want that fluctuation to destroy your belongings. That’s why climate control is so important.
Fluctuations in temperature will kill electronics, cause plastics to degrade and wood to warp. So, climate control will help to preserve your belongings for years to come as it keeps humidity and temperature constant.
You will also want to consider security. People can steal when you least expect it, and some may even destroy what isn’t theirs; that’s why solid security is so important. You will want to locate a storage facility that offers features like video surveillance, on-site management, and electronic gate access.
Keep Everything in the Long Term Storage Units Organized
Now regardless of it is a small 5×5 self-storage unit or a 10×20 for your business items organizing everything goes a very long way. Don’t pile your items in a heap. Instead, you should line them across the wall of your storage unit so that they can easily be seen and accessed.
If you are using a large unit, then create aisles in between the boxes and shelves on the inside of the unit. That will make keeping things organized easier.
Make sure to Check on Your Items
Sure the items are out of sight, but they shouldn’t be out of mind. Visit the storage facility regularly and ensure that everything is safe. Also, everything should be in working order. You will also want to ensure that the storage facility is pest free and clean.
Long-term storage is a cost-effective way to maximize the space in your apartment, shop, or home. But you need to take the right steps to ensure that everything remains safe and sound.
