The Basics

Specifics

Get the most out of your storage unit – know your space.

How big is it? Ask us about the dimensions of your unit, so you know whether the bed, car, fridge, or kayak will fit. Once you know your space, measure your larger objects to make sure you don’t waste precious moving time.

The Basics

1. Prioritise

Before you pack your storage unit, think about what items you may need to access. Save yourself future hassle by placing frequently used objects at the front.

2. Pack Right

Packing accessories such as cartons, portarobes, paper, tape, bubble-wrap, and plastic covers will maintain and protect your goods whilst in storage. A variety of packing accessories are available at each of our Self Storage offices. Only fill each carton to capacity; partially full or bulging cartons may tip or collapse. Heavy items like books or tools should be packed in small cartons so they’re easy to handle. Books should be packed flat, not on their spines. Packing and labelling cartons room by room makes the unpacking much easier, and if you need to find something in storage you’ll have some idea of which carton to begin looking in.

We encourage you to jot down what you’ll need. Some essentials include:

  • Bubble wrap and foam for moving breakables
  • Drop sheets and furniture covers to protect your household items
  • Duct tape for securing your packaging
  • Rope to secure items whilst you travel
  • Boxes to organise your belongings and keep them stable
  • Padlock – you lock it and you keep the key

3. Heavy to light – Stack in your favour

Put the heavy stuff at the bottom; stack the valuable, lighter items on the top. It’s like loading a really big shopping trolley.

Beds, shelves, chairs, and other items are often built in segments. Disassembling items will allow you to transport more and maximise the space inside your storage unit.

4. Protection!

If it’s valuable it needs protection. Wrap fragile items in cushioned material. Bubble wrap is an easy and cost-effective option. Welshpool Self Storage also recommends you protect your items with appropriate insurance cover. Please talk to our friendly staff about the options.

Specifics

You have the Self Storage basics. Below are some more detailed and specific storage tips. Read on for the low down on packing specific items. If we haven’t covered it, contact us for further advice.

1. Appliances

Fridges, freezers, and other whitegoods should be thoroughly DRY and CLEAN before storing. Whilst in storage the door should be secured slightly ajar. A deodoriser placed inside fridges or freezers is also a good idea to maintain freshness or placing an open pack of bicarbonate soda is an excellent way to discourage unwanted odours. Don’t place items inside fridges or freezers as the shelves and linings can be easily marked and damaged.

2. Furniture

Empty the contents of wardrobes, drawers, and cupboards to protect the shelving and structure of these items during transport. Clothing and personal goods should be packed in strong secure cartons with some naphthalene, mothballs, or similar product to protect and maintain their condition. Where possible remove the legs from items of furniture e.g. bed bases, tables, etc. to avoid damage and save space.

3. Dishes and  Glassware

Place a layer of packing inside the bottom and top of cartons containing breakables. Protect fragile items by wrapping them individually in packing paper (newsprint can be very messy and possibly stain). Nest cups and bowls, and stand plates, saucers, platters, and casserole dishes on their edges. Fill any gaps in the cartons with packing e.g: scrunched paper or linen. This will keep your fragile items well protected and prevent them from moving around in the cartons whilst in transit. Label all cartons containing fragile items and avoid storing heavy items on the top of these cartons.

4. Mirrors, windows, screens and paintings

These items should be protected by packing them in a similarly sized box with material around them e.g: bubble-wrap or in a flatpack carton. Always store and transport your wall hangings upright (not lying flat) to ensure they are not damaged.

5. Hi-Fi, TVs and Video Gear

Your electrical equipment is very delicate and sensitive and should be handled with care as they aren’t very resilient to knocks and drops. The original boxes are ideal to repack in; however, wrapping items individually in bubble wrap, packing them in cartons, and sealing the top will offer protection for your electrical items. Remember to pack out any gaps in the cartons. Turntables and tone arms of record players should be secured to prevent damage whilst they are being moved. Pack records on their edges in cartons to prevent warping. LCD and Plasma TV’s should be stored in specialist cartons. Ask our friendly staff for details.

6. Business & Document Storage

Most businesses have a large amount of documents they legally need to keep for a period of time.

Welshpool Self Storage provides a convenient solution for archiving your tax records, business documents, and other paperwork. Our storage units come in a range of different sizes – no matter how many or few boxes you have, we’ll find the right unit for your needs.

You can rest assured your confidential documents are safe in our fully-monitored storage units. With alarmed doors and individual keys, our security is second to none.

7. Books & documents

Book boxes are an ideal way to pack your novels, whilst archive boxes ensure your documents stay ordered and protected.

8. Computers

We recommend using the original manufacturer’s box when storing and transporting your computer. As highly sensitive pieces of equipment, take care to package them extra well. Line your box and fill all spaces with packing material.

9. Clothing and Linen

Protect your clothes from perishing by packing them in wardrobe cartons or tea chest sized boxes. Air tight containers or vacuum packs are also an excellent solution for storing clothes and linen.

10. Prohibited Items

You are not permitted to store illegal items in our units. Restricted items include:

  • Explosives
  • Hazardous substances (acid, chlorine, gas)
  • Petrol or diesel (please drain your machinery)
  • Illegal items and substances
  • Stolen goods
  • Perishables
  • Chemicals
  • Paint

Please contact us today for more information on our security policies and to book a unit size that meets your needs.

Contact us

Get in touch with one of our staff

The team at KeepSafe are ready and waiting to assist. We’ll be back to you as soon as possible!