How to pack a self storage unit – Manchester expert shares top tips

From having a clear-out to moving house, there are countless reasons people find themselves in need of self storage.

Most storage companies will offer everything from a small locker to a full-sized unit – but for those who haven’t used self storage before, it can be hard to know exactly what space you need.

To help make sure you get it right first time, local company Storage World, with buildings just outside Manchester city centre on Ashton Old Road and in Middleton next to the Arena, has provided a series of helpful tips to packing your own self storage unit.

Identify your storage needs

Before booking your storage unit, there are three main things to consider: size, type and place.

Basically, how much space will you be needing, what type of storage space is required, and which facility is closest to you or your business?

Check out Storage World’s helpful guide for tips on how much you’ll be able to fit in different sized units.

Another thing you may want to consider is how long you’ll want to utilise storage for.

Generally, the best contracts are those that offer as much flexibility as possible, allowing you to access short-term storage if you need it.

You’ll want to look for contracts that come with no tie ins, letting you leave whenever you’d like – either from the get-go by specifying your move-out date as you sign your contract, or with a pre-specified and conveniently short notice period.

How to pack a storage box like a pro

Once you’ve selected the type of storage you need and arranged your contract, your next step is to pack up everything you want to keep in your unit.

There are definitely good and bad ways of doing this, say Storage World – and they suggest making use of an on-site box store where you can purchase all of your packing essentials and receive advice from experienced staff.

If you have no innate packing abilities, not to worry, they say – just follow these top tips to stress-free, fast packing that will keep your belongings in perfect condition for the entirety of their stay in storage.

Use bigger boxes for light items and smaller boxes for heavy items. This will make sure that all your boxes are easily liftable no matter the weight of their contents.

Buy more tape than you think you’ll need, it runs out quicker than you’d expect as you’ll want to tape both the top and bottom of each box to ensure a tight seal that won’t break or let in dust.

For fragile items, use bubble wrap, foam or plain wrapping paper instead of newspaper as the ink can transfer over time and damage your items.

For larger furniture that cannot be boxed up, consider using cling film. Not only will this protect the outer layers of your furniture, but it will also aid in ease of transportation as doors are barred from swinging open.

Stress-free moving

Once you’re all packed up, it’s time to get all your belongings to your self storage unit.

This can be a daunting process if you aren’t familiar with any trusted removal companies in your local area, so check with your chosen storage company as to whether or not they have a list of recommended services.

This should help ensure that all of your items are safely transported and, if your items are smaller and this isn’t required, you could always ask for  trusted ‘man and van’ operators or van hire companies, allowing you to move your items yourself should you prefer.

Having arrived, the heavy-lifting will begin – but, if it helps, you can think of it as a game of real-life Tetris, suggest Storage World.

Make the most of the space you have by stacking boxes both horizontally and vertically, being sure to leave a convenient walkway so that you can access any of your items quickly and easily.

If you know which of your possessions you’re more likely to need access to, you could also stack those boxes closer to the front, saving you time and hassle when you need them again.

Similarly, you could label your boxes, listing the contents on the outside so you can quickly identify items without needing to reopen them.

This stage is also where using specific packing equipment will come in handy – especially triple walled boxes which are sturdy, durable and uniform in size, meaning you can stack them safely.

By maximising your space in this way, you’re saving yourself money and time.

Relax

That’s it! That’s all it takes to pack your self storage unit, and you can rest easy knowing your belongings are safe.

Self storage can make all the difference when you’re moving house, travelling, or simply need the extra space at home – and with years of experience, Storage World can help you every step of the way.

Call them on 0800 301 0450, or click the button below to find out more.