Storage units are an excellent way to preserve items that you don’t use on a regular basis or don’t have space for at your home, but still want to keep. When it comes to protecting your valuables, there’s no better option than renting space in a climate-controlled facility.

While these units offer maximum protection against theft, pests, weather, and other detrimental factors, it’s important to pack the items properly to make sure your belongings remain undamaged.

Whether you are looking to store seasonal decorations, lawn equipment, out-of-season clothing, or furniture, it’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure that your items are protected while they are in storage.

In this article, we’ve curated a list of expert-recommended long-term storage tips on how to smartly store items to keep them in good condition. These tips are great for short-term storage as well!

1. Clean Everything Before Placing it in Storage

Storing dirty items in a storage unit is just going to invite pests, mold, and mildew. Furthermore, dirt and dust can diminish the quality of items while also creating an unpleasant and unhygienic storage environment.

For example, if you are storing clothes, not washing them before putting them in storage can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. If you are storing cooking appliances, not thoroughly cleaning them before placing them in your unit can attract bugs and rodents.

Whatever household items you are storing, it’s imperative to clean them thoroughly before putting them into storage.

At Dose Moving and Storage, we keep our facility spotless so you don’t have to worry about cleaning the unit. Just clean your belongings and you are all set to store them for an extended period of time.

2. Have an Inventory Checklist

Creating an inventory list is beneficial in several ways, such as indicating the unit size you require and helping you stay organized. When you make an inventory of what you are going to store, you can also determine which items in your possession you don’t use or need anymore.

It is helpful to make the checklist a bit detailed so you know exactly what you have in the unit. For example, the list might include 2 medium cardboard boxes of books, 1 large dresser, 3 plastic bins of winter clothes, etc.

You can even make a digital copy of the inventory list so it will never get lost. Whenever you take some items out of the vault, make sure to update the inventory to keep track of your possessions.

3. Disassemble Things to Get Some Extra Space

Many reliable storage options have a standard vault size of 5x6x7. While you can easily pack one room’s worth of items inside this size unit, it’s still advised to disassemble what you can. When you disassemble things, you can pack them more efficiently while preventing them from incurring any damage. Moreover, you get some more free space inside the unit as an added benefit.

If you are not sure how to disassemble your wooden furniture or heavy-duty equipment, you can call in professionals to help. The team from Dose Moving and Storage can assist you with disassembling furniture, plus packing, loading, and hauling items to the storage unit.

4. Wrap Fragile Items

Although climate-controlled units are secure and offer maximum protection for stored items, it is still important to wrap fragile items in bubble wrap or tissue paper. When you pack properly, your valuable possessions are protected and you reduce the risk of damage.

At Dose Moving and Storage, we understand how much your belongings mean to you. Our expert packers will assist you by using bubble wrap, tissue, filler, blankets, tarps, and other packing supplies. When you hire our team to help pack, you no longer need to worry about your fragile items.

Call us at (602) 806-9335 (AZ) to learn more about our packing and storage services. You can book your climate-control storage unit without any contracts at an affordable rate.

5. Label Everything

Labeling storage boxes and plastic bins can be helpful for a number of reasons. If you label your boxes with clear, concise descriptions of the contents, it will be much easier to find what you need.

Furthermore, labeling your boxes with your contact information helps prevent misunderstandings or mix-ups that could lead to your items being misplaced or damaged when storing them for the long term.

6. Don’t Store Anything Too Valuable

While storage units are usually safe and secure, it is still recommended to avoid storing anything of high value. These units are perfect for storing your clothes, furniture, bikes, lawnmowers, and other such items, but you should avoid storing fine art, jewelry, and other luxury items worth a lot of money.

The reason you should keep these items out of the unit is the risk of losing them or getting damaged. These storage vaults can be as big as a room, and it’s quite natural to lose a small ring when you store it in any random box.

7. Avoid Storing Perishable Goods

Many people renting climate-controlled units are intended for long-term storage, and that’s the reason why storing perishable goods is not a good idea. Additionally, perishable items can lead to bad odor and can attract rodents or bugs.

If you don’t want pest infestation inside the unit, it is best to avoid storing such items.

8. Don’t Leave Your Items Unprotected

Leaving your belongings unprotected can lead to damage when transporting them to and from the storage space. Be sure to take the time to pack everything properly. For example, picture frames should be wrapped to avoid breaking the glass. You should also use strong tape on cardboard boxes so items don’t fall out of the bottom before they reach the storage unit.

9. De-Fuel Your Equipment

If your garage is full, a storage unit is a great place to keep your lawnmower and other lawn equipment you only use for half the year. As many of these items run on fuel, you should make sure you empty the gas tank before dropping them at storage facilities.

Furthermore, if you want to store lawn equipment throughout the winter, it’s better to winterize the motors for added protection, even in a storage solution with climate control.

10. Pack Your Unit Strategically

When you are opting for climate-controlled storage, one thing to keep in mind is how you pack things into the actual unit. It is best to pack things that you don’t need frequently first so they are at the back of the unit. Things you might require sooner should be at the front so you don’t need to empty the whole unit to access these items.

An Additional Tip: Ask for Help, If You Need It

Moving your items into a storage unit can be difficult, but you can ask for help. You might hire a professional moving company like Dose Moving and Storage to load and transport your possessions from your place to the storage facility.

Unlike other moving container companies, our movers can even help you pack and organize the storage unit so everything is arranged neatly and safely.

How to Find the Best Long-Term Storage Company

Climate-controlled storage units can come to the rescue in times of panic and stress when you realize you don’t have the space to store all of your items at your home. However, to experience the real benefits of long-term storage units, you need to find the right facility that meets your needs.

Here’s how you can find the best storage company near you to keep all your belongings safely stored for a long time.

  • Location of the Storage Facility

Usually, storage facilities are on the outskirts of the city, but if you are lucky enough, you’ll find one in your neighborhood. When choosing a storage company, one thing to factor in is the distance from your house to the facility.

If you are looking for a self-storage facility, it would be great to find a storage facility near your place. The location can be a bit further away if you are looking to store items for the long term. In this case, you should find a company that offers the best rates on storage units and keeps their facilities climate controlled and secure.

  • Check the Unit Size

Some storage companies offer very lucrative deals, but their storage units are small so you end up needing to rent more than one. Make sure the storage units offer ample space to organize your items. There is no rule of thumb for determining the space, but a unit of size 5x6x7 is perfect for storing one room’s worth of items.

When you choose a company with spacious units, you can save money in the long run, as you will not need additional units.

  • Beware of Introductory Deals and Contracts

When finding a storage company, you should pay attention to the introductory deals. Some companies use tactics, such as the first month free, to rope you into signing a contract. While this sounds like a good deal, it does not benefit you in the long run.

Most people usually rent storage vaults for an average of 8–9 months, meaning you don’t need to sign a contract for a year or more. You should choose a company that lets you rent units on a monthly basis.

» More: The Benefits of Climate-Controlled Storage

  • Check the Security Measures

One of the primary reasons for choosing a storage unit is the extra security, so you should pay attention to the security measures in place when choosing a storage company. These measures might include 24/7 video surveillance and night patrol.

Contact Dose Moving and Storage today to speak with an expert about our safe, secure, climate-controlled storage units with 24-hour surveillance and an overnight guard.

  • Check Insurance

Some storage companies provide insurance for the items stored in their facility, so you should always ask about insurance coverage. Insurance helps to protect your items in the case of theft, fire, flood, or other natural disasters.

Make sure to read the terms and conditions of the insurance policy before signing it.

  • Take the Facility’s Condition Into Account

On the company’s website, everything will look pristine, but the reality might be different. Consider visiting the storage facility in person, and if possible, have a look at the available storage units to ensure they are clean and suitable for storing your belongings.

A well-maintained storage space will ensure all of your belongings will remain protected throughout the storage tenure.

  • Choose a Company That Handles Everything

It makes sense to hire a storage company that offers moving services as well, especially if you don’t have the time or manpower to transport the items to the storage facility on your own. Dose Moving and Storage is a residential and commercial moving company and our professional movers are available to assist you.

You can hire our moving services if you want us to transport your belongings to the storage facility. We can even help you arrange the climate-controlled unit to keep you organized and your items safe.

» More: Storing Car With Dose Storage

  • Make Sure the Storage Is Affordable

Finally, check the price of the long-term storage unit before you hire a company. Storage units can be expensive, depending on the size and condition of the unit. You need to find a storage solution that fits your budget.

Contact Dose Moving and Storage for Short and Long-Term Storage Solutions!

At Dose Moving and Storage, we are a one-stop shop for all your moving and storage needs. If you are in need of a secure and climate-controlled storage unit, we have a state-of-the-art storage facility with regulated temperature and humidity to keep your belongings in good condition. Moreover, our storage vaults are spacious and can fit about one whole room.

Our storage facilities are guarded by video surveillance systems and night patrols keeping your belongings safe and secure at all times. Furthermore, we work on a convenient monthly-fee system, meaning you can rent the unit for as long or as short as you want. If you want to opt-in for full-value protection insurance to ensure that your stored items are covered in case of any unfortunate circumstances, we offer that too!

Contact us today to learn more about our storage options. We can hold on to your overflow furniture, seasonal items, and even your car!