How To Properly Store And Protect Your Cherished Belongings

There are plenty of times in life you may need to have your belongings stored for an extended period of time. Whether you’re going on an extended vacation, or you’re saving your grandparents’ antique wardrobe for your future home. Storing your furniture items in a self storage unit, will give you the flexibility to make these life decisions with more ease.

But storing your items is only half the job, especially with the temperature extremes of Canada. If you don’t properly protect your items in the storage unit, you could run the risk of damaging your items from mould, scratches, or dust mites.

Here we’ll discuss how to best store your belongings during a long term stay at a storage facility.  

Rent a Climate-Controlled Storage Unit

The best way to keep your items protected in a self storage unit is to rent a climate-controlled storage unit. These specific units are temperature controlled all year round. Which helps with controlling the humidity in the container as the seasons change throughout the year. The units are temperature controlled through thermostats, HVAC units and dehumidifiers to protect belongings against the outside elements. This is especially needed during the extreme weather months in Canada.

Clean Your Items

Preventative measures are always the best things to tackle first. Thoroughly clean all items before you store them away. Your items can become contaminated with odors if not cleaned properly. Therefore, use a clean damp cloth to wipe away any dirt or dust. And after the initial wipe, if there are still stains or dirt on the items, use a cleaning solution and go over them again. Allow the items to air out completely to avoid mould.

Pro tip on what cleaners to use for what furniture items:  

• Wood or Plastic Furniture use mild soap and water.
• Leather Furniture, make a cleaning solution with half vinegar and half water, then finish off with a leather conditioner.
• Fabric or Upholstery use fabric cleaner or a steam cleaner.
• Antiques or Wood items use a wood cleaner.
• Metal items use a polishing cloth or metal cleaner.

Set Up the Storage Unit

Self storage units come cleaned and ready for use, but it’s always a good idea to do another once-over before bringing your items. So give the unit an extra sweep or bring a vacuum to get as much dust out as possible. Then mentally lay out where you want your items to go to ensure you can easily access them. Organize the largest items at the back of the storage container with smaller items at the front.

The best way to store your items in a container is to create clear walkways that allow you to access all your items. Generally a walkway in the middle of the container that allows you to access the rear of the container will suffice. An important thing to note is to not cram too much into a storage unit. Over packing your storage container introduces more risk of items falling over and trouble accessing your belongings.  

Store Items Off the Floor

Avoid placing your items directly on the ground of your storage container. Lay down cardboard boxes or palettes if you have access to them. By lifting your items off the ground, you’ll reduce your chances of moisture from the floor seeping into your furniture. Or should there be a leak, your items will be protected since they are elevated. For extra caution, before you move anything into your storage unit, put down a thick plastic sheeting first.

Padding

Protecting your furniture from bumps and scratches while in the storage unit is just as important as worrying about mould or dust. Wrap your items loosely with old bedsheets or drop cloths to prevent dust and moisture build-up. If you wrap your items too tightly or with a plastic cover, you could cause condensation, resulting in your furniture swelling and potential mould. By wrapping your items before you move them into the storage unit, you’re creating a layer of protection. You can then rest easy knowing your items are protected during the transportation.

Boxes

One of the best ways to store your items is in boxes. You reduce the chance of bumping into the item or scratching it. Disassemble the items you can and pack them away in your storage container. Put nuts and bolts into plastic sandwich bags and clearly label what item they belong to. If you’re somebody who dislikes disassembling furniture, you can always hire a full-service moving company to disassemble your items and transport them to your storage facility. Disassembling your furniture items will also create more space in your storage unit, making it much more orderly and accessible. Use vacuum-sealed bags to store your clothing to reduce the potential of moths getting to them, and pack them in boxes.

Special Items  

Fragile items that are being stored for longer periods of time should follow a specific storing method. For glass items, artwork, mirrors etc. lean them against a wall and secure the area. Never lay them flat on the ground, as you may run the risk of walking on them or an item falling and damaging them. When storing special items like appliances, make sure they are completely cleaned with no residue left behind. The last thing you want is for your appliances to become a breeding ground for mould or insects.  

Pro-tips on how to store fragile items:

• Paintings and Mirrors should be wrapped in a poly wrap, a thick tissue-like paper with a plastic outer layer, then packed in a picture box. Alternatively, bubble wrap or clear packing paper will work too if you can’t find poly wrap.
• Large Appliances like a refrigerator or washing machine should always be left ajar to keep airflow coming in. If closed, mould could grow inside.
• Gardening Tools should always be thoroughly cleaned to reduce the chances of insects being attracted to the storage unit.
• Machinery that has any gasoline or flammable liquids like a lawn mower must be completely drained to avoid odours from being present.

Final Thoughts

By protecting your items, you’ll inherently be extending the life cycle of those pieces. The last thing you want is to be spending money storing an item only for it to be ruined when it comes time to reunite with it. With all the different services out there, you could even outsource this task to a full-service moving company. Or simply complete this task yourself. All cleaning items are accessible from your local grocery or hardware store, making it a pretty easy DIY task.