Whether you're downsizing, renovating, or moving, putting your items in storage can be an excellent way to free up space and keep your belongings safe. However, to ensure that your items stay in good condition, it's important to properly prepare them for storage. Here are some tips to help you efficiently prepare your items for storage.

Create an Inventory of Your Items

The first step to preparing your items for storage is to create an inventory of everything that you'll be storing. This will help you keep track of your belongings, and it will also make it easier to find specific items when you need them. Make a list of all the items you plan to store and categorize them by room or by type. This will make it easier to pack and organize your items when you're ready to move them into storage.

Thoroughly Clean and Protect your Items and Belongings

Before packing your items for storage, it's important to thoroughly clean and protect them. This will help prevent dirt, dust, and pests from damaging your items while they're in storage. You should also make sure that all of your items are completely dry before packing them to prevent mold or mildew from growing.

To clean and protect your items, follow these steps:

1. Disable moving parts: If you're storing items like appliances, lawnmowers, or exercise equipment, make sure to disable any moving parts. This will help prevent the items from getting damaged while in storage.
   
   
2. Remove batteries from electronics: If you're storing electronics like laptops or cameras, it's important to remove the batteries before storing them. This will help prevent the batteries from leaking or corroding, which can damage your electronics.
3. 
   Vacuum furniture: Before storing furniture, it's important to vacuum it thoroughly. This will help remove any dust or debris that may be hiding in the fabric or crevices of the furniture.
4. 
   Use packing materials: To protect fragile items like glassware, artwork, or electronics, it's important to use packing materials like bubble wrap or blankets. This will help cushion the items and prevent them from getting damaged while in storage.

Research Storage Restrictions

Different storage facilities have different restrictions on what you can and cannot store. Before you start packing your items, it's important to research these restrictions and make sure that you're not storing anything that's prohibited. 

For example, some storage facilities may not allow you to store hazardous materials or flammable items. Additionally, some storage facilities may require you to store certain items in a specific way, such as keeping mattresses upright or storing electronics in climate-controlled units. 

Make sure to check with your storage facility to ensure that you're following all of their rules and regulations.

Label Your Boxes and Create a Floor Plan

Once you've packed and organized your items, it's important to label your boxes and create a floor plan. Labeling your boxes will make it easier to find specific items when you need them, and it will also help you keep track of what's in each box. Create a detailed list of the contents of each box and attach it to the outside of the box. 

Creating a floor plan will help you maximize your storage space and make it easier to access your items when you need them. Draw a rough sketch of your storage unit and mark where each box and item will be placed.

Call The Moving Pros Today

If you need assistance with moving and storage, don't hesitate to contact us at 929-282-4882 or fill out our contact form. Our team at Avant-Garde Moving & Storage is here to help you with all of your moving and storage solutions.