We know how unpredictable life is, and a situation might arise when you need to store your belongings for an extended period. You may decide to pack up your stuff and head out for an RV adventure across the United States, or maybe you need to convert your home office into a nursery. Deployment, moving abroad for work or study, or decluttering your home may be why you’re considering storing items for the long term. Whatever the reason, long-term storage differs from short-term storage, and preparing for extended storage requires a special approach. That’s why we’ve put together these simple and effective storage tips for long-term storage to make things easy and stress-free.
Packing and Preparing for Long-Term Storage
Packing items to prepare for long-term storage requires additional planning and extra care, especially when it comes to fragile items. Take a look at how to prep some common household goods for extended storage.
Use New and Sturdy Boxes
Remember, those boxes are going into the storage space for a long duration and need to be of the best quality to ensure they don’t deteriorate over time. Instead of old boxes, invest in new and sturdy boxes that can hold your goods effectively. We also recommend durable plastic containers for long-term storage since they are easily stackable and help preserve your belongings. Make sure you’re buying boxes of the same size and design, which makes balanced stacking easy.
Clean and Polish Furniture
To ensure your pieces of furniture remain in top shape throughout their time in self-storage, make sure they’re clean and dust-free before you move them to the self storage unit. Dust all wooden furniture, and use a wood polish to ensure your items don’t fade. Vacuum upholstered pieces like sofas and couches, and wipe down leather goods with leather-approved wipes or a leather-safe cleaning solution. Loosely cover furniture with light-colored, soft sheets as an added layer of protection.
Store Mattresses the Right Way
Be sure to clean all mattresses with an upholstery cleaner and then vacuum both sides. This will ensure the mattress is clean before it goes into the storage unit. Invest in a good-quality mattress cover to encase the entire mattress. Opt for a lightweight and breathable plastic covering and secure it with tape. When placing the mattress in the unit, make sure that you lay it flat to prevent sagging. Never place any items over the mattress, as this can damage its shape.
Seal Clothes and Fabrics
Storing clothes and soft items like cushions in vacuum-sealed bags is not just a great space saving storage hack, but it also shields apparel and fabrics for added protection. Using vacuum-sealed bags for storing clothes and fabrics during long-term storage keeps them fresh and clean.
Prep Your Storage Unit
Before you stack boxes in your storage unit, make sure it’s clean. Sweep the floor or use a vacuum to remove all traces of dirt and debris. For long-term storage, we recommend placing boxes on a raised platform rather than directly on the unit floor. Use pallets or cinder blocks to create an elevated base for the boxes.
Additional Tips for Long-Term Storage: Top FAQs Answered
Find answers to common FAQs regarding long-term storage.
What Is Long-Term Storage?
Long-term self-storage refers to keeping household items or vehicles in a self-storage facility over an extended period. People usually opt for long-term storage if they’re:
- Moving out of the country for leisure, work, deployment, or study
- Implementing a major home improvement project and need to clear out space
- Decluttering an overfilled home or office to organize this space
How Much Does Long-Term Storage Cost?
The cost of renting a long-term storage unit varies depending on the location, unit size, and additional features like climate-controlled storage. To find out exact costs give one of our storage locations a call.
Do I Need Climate-Controlled Units for Long-Term Storage?
Humidity and extreme temperature fluctuations are a concern when storing items long term. Dampness can lead to rotting, rusting, swelling, and mold growth, while extreme temperatures can cause fragile goods to crack, break, or warp. A climate-controlled unit is the best way to help prevent these problems and is a highly-recommended choice for customers seeking extended storage. CubeSmart offers climate-controlled storage options to ensure your items stay in an ambient setting with optimal temperature and humidity regulation.
Call today to speak to our award-winning customer service team and find out more about our services, discounts, and special rental offers that can help you secure a great deal on your long-term storage needs.
