What you Need to Know Before Renting a Storage Unit

Renting a storage unit is an easy solution to most people’s storage problems. But to get the most out of your storage unit, there are a few extra things you can do. Renting a storage unit is simple, cheap and easy. Simply assess your belongings, decide on which size unit you need, and contact your local self-storage facility. However, packing a storage unit is another story.

A lot of people just throw their possessions in and lock the door. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with that approach, but a more carefully considered approach is normally better. A well-packed storage unit will ensure that you are getting the most for your money. Adopting a more orderly style of packing will maximise your space, and ensure that your belongings are kept in good condition.

Storage Units are not a ‘Set and Forget’ Solution

A lot of people make the mistake of using a storage unit to store items that they are unlikely to use again. This is the ‘set and forget’ approach. As a general rule, it is not worth hanging on to items that you won’t use again. With the exception of family heirlooms, items like this are better donated to charity or even thrown away. It can be hard to let go of some items, but storing them unnecessarily with simply take up extra room in your storage unit.

This space should be allocated to other items that you will need again. Storing unwanted items can cause other issues as well. If you have a pile of things in your storage unit that never gets moved, it can harbour pests or mould. This has the potential to then affect other items that are still important to you. To avoid these situations, you should check up on your storage unit with some degree of frequency.

When you Rent a Storage Unit, you Need to Pack your Things Effectively

When it comes to renting a storage unit, there is nothing more important than effective packing. At More Space, we are familiar with some of the mistakes people often make when storing different items. Certain things need to be stored in a certain way. To help you navigate the packing process, we have compiled a list of the things that are most commonly packed incorrectly.

Clothes

Clothes might seem like the sort of thing that does not require much upkeep. If you store them correctly, they don’t. But if you store your clothes in an inappropriate way, they can deteriorate very easily. Most clothes have high cotton content, which means they are susceptible to things like moths and mould. For this reason, it is important to store them in a way that allows for adequate ventilation. Mothballs are another good idea. Doing a bit of research and reading care instructions can be very helpful.

Leather Furniture

Leather absolutely must be stored properly. If you store leather the wrong way, the results will be obvious very quickly. Often, your entire couch or chair will be ruined. The most common mistake here is covering leather in plastic. Leather is an organic material that needs to breathe. That means you should use a cotton sheet or something similar to cover it, not plastic.

ArtWorks or Photos

Artworks such as painting and photos are another thing that often falls victim to ‘set and forget’ storage. Many paintings are susceptible to serious damage from mould and mildew. This can, in fact, ruin the paint itself, as well as damaging the frame or canvas. Similarly, photos can fade easily. To avoid this, you should speak with an art specialist or look into specifically made art storage devices. When it comes to photos, you should take a similar approach.

For more information on renting a storage unit, contact the experts at More Space today!