Recently, CubeSmart hosted our first Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) featuring Cubie, our mascot and unofficial-official storage expert. Redditors asked everything from practical packing questions to funny hypotheticals (yes, someone really asked about spaghetti), reminding us that whether you’re moving, downsizing, or simply making more room, many people have the same self-storage questions.
We rounded up some of our favorite questions and the expert advice we shared, to help you pack smarter, choose the right storage unit, and avoid common storage mistakes.
8 Common Self-Storage Questions (Answered by Storage Experts)
1. Should You Wash Clothes Before Putting Them in Storage?
One Redditor asked, “I’ve lived in NYC for 10 years and I’ve always debated this question: Do you wash/launder your winter clothes before you put them into storage, or after?”
Short Answer: Yes! Wash clothes before storage.
Popping clothes into a storage tub without washing might be easier for you right now. Clothes may look clean but they could still contain dust and other residues you don’t want to ignore before packing. That makes cleaning and refreshing clothes harder once you unpack them again.
Best Practices for Clothing Storage:
- Wash, dry, or dry clean items first
- Make sure everything is completely dry before packing
- Use breathable storage bins or fabric bags when possible
- Avoid vacuum-sealing natural fibers (e.g., wool or silk)
A little prep now can make next season’s closet swap much easier.
2. What’s the Best Way to Pack a Storage Unit?
Another Redditor had questions about storage unit organization, asking, “What are some of the biggest mistakes people make when packing a storage unit that I should avoid?”
Short Answer: Based on questions we hear from customers, you should pack your storage unit for easy navigation. One of the most common mistakes we see is customers dropping items off in their unit without labels or shoving random items into boxes. Arriving with oversized furniture or bulky items without measuring first can quickly turn an organized unit into a cluttered one. And isn’t avoiding clutter one of the reasons you have storage?
Here are some of our top tips for keeping your unit organized:
- Label boxes clearly
- Pack lighter boxes on top of heavy ones
- Put frequently used items in the front of your unit
- Measure big items before you bring them to storage
- Create a clear walking path in your unit so you can access things easily
Learn more about how to organize your storage unit and explore our storage organization tips.
3. What’s the Hardest Thing to Store?
“What’s the hardest/most challenging thing to store?” sounds like a simple question, but it’s actually profound. And one Redditor wanted to know.
Short Answer: Sometimes it isn’t the biggest item; it’s the one you’re not ready to let go of.
Storage can give you extra time and space to make decisions while keeping belongings stored until you’re ready for them again.
4. Can You Store Food in a Storage Unit? Nope!
Some Redditors had carbs on the brain: “What is CubeSmart’s spaghetti policy?”
Seems like a silly question, but it’s actually a pretty important topic. Where does food fit in when it comes to storage?
Short Answer: No. Food should never be stored in a storage unit.
That means all food. Like food you’d want to store (canned goods, pantry items, perishables) or food you want to eat right now (like leftovers or that hoagie you picked up as a snack on your way to storage).
Make sure to check your rental agreement and avoid storing prohibited items such as food, hazardous materials, flammable items, or anything that could create a safety issue.
5. How Do You Choose the Right Storage Unit Size?
What’s the first step when choosing a storage unit? A few Redditors touched on it right away.
Short Answer: Start by choosing the right storage unit size, not the lowest price.
Before comparing prices, make sure the unit will fit everything you plan to store. One of the most common mistakes we see is choosing a unit based on price first instead of size.
So, whether that’s bedroom furniture, boxes from your basement and garage, seasonal decorations, or an awkwardly shaped kayak, it helps to start with a quick list.
Before choosing a unit:
- List all items you plan to store (big and small).
- Measure larger furniture and oddly shaped items.
- Estimate the amount of boxes and tubs you’ll store.
- Consider things you’ll need to store in the future.
- Use a storage unit size guide to compare unit sizes.
- Determine if you need climate-controlled units, vehicle storage, or business storage.*
Planning up front can make moving into your unit much easier.
6. What Should First-Time Storage Renters Know?
A curious Redditor (and maybe newbie renter) asked, “If you’ve never used storage before, what is the first thing Cubie would say you should know or understand when you’re looking to rent?”
Short Answer: Focus on choosing the right unit, measuring your belongings, and understanding facility access before move-in.
What First-Time Renters Should Know
- Check out the facility before move-in if you can
- Measure your largest furniture
- Ask about facility access hours
- Consider climate control (if storing electronics, wood furniture, or other temperature-sensitive items)
- Leave a walkway for easy navigation
Depending on what you’re storing, and how long, you may want to consider the proximity of your storage facility to you and choose one with flexible access hours. Features like gated access, climate-controlled*, and drive-up options** may be something you need for your belongings. And flexible leases and friendly teammates can help make storage easy.
Remember, storage isn’t just about filling empty space. It’s about creating more space in your life, while still being able to keep what matters close.
7. Favorite AMA Moment: Even Cubie Can Unlock a Storage Unit
Along with some of the serious questions we received, we got some silly ones. One Redditor asked, “Can Cubie successfully unlock, open the door all the way and then close the door?”
Short Answer: Using your storage lock is so easy a Cube can do it. And potentially look cool in the process.
So can you. Mastering your storage lock is a pretty important part of the storage process. Luckily, it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it. The first step? Give your lock a cute nickname (e.g., Pepperoni or dare we say, Cubie).
8. Storage Is More Personal Than People Think
We loved hearing everyone’s questions during our Reddit AMA. If you missed it, don’t worry, we’ll be sharing more storage tips, answering more community questions, and helping make storage a little less mysterious.
Whether you’re moving, downsizing, organizing, or storing seasonal items, CubeSmart is here to help. Ready to get started? Browse our storage unit size guide, explore expert storage tips, find a nearby storage facility, or reserve your storage unit online whenever you’re ready.
At CubeSmart, it’s what’s inside that counts.
* Storage unit sizes are approximate and subject to availability. Temperature and humidity levels within any storage space, including climate-controlled spaces, may vary.
**Available at select locations.
