Halloween is almost here! While there’s nothing especially scary about organizing your stuff for storage (at least, there shouldn’t be), sometimes we dread the prospect so much that we want to flee in terror.
In this guide, we’ll talk about five major storage mistakes that people make. These terrifying trip-ups can cause problems ranging from disorganized dishes to actual creepy crawlies. However, they can easily be avoided with careful planning.
1. Improperly Packing Perishable Foods
When it comes to kitchen and pantry storage, it’s important to remember to invest in airtight containers. Behind closed cabinet doors, lots of unfortunate things can happen. For example, pantry pests and rodents are menaces about chewing through packaging. The last thing you want to discover is a half-chewed box of pasta or larvae burrowing through a bag of cereal. So as you unpack your groceries, don’t forget to put them in airtight containers made of thick, durable plastic. This is one of the biggest kitchen-organizing mistakes people make, take our word for it!
And when it comes to storing food in your storage unit? Skip that step altogether. Food does not belong in a self storage facility unless it’s a snack you packed to stay energized during your move. Storing food in a self storage unit is prohibited and a gateway to pest infestation. This is especially true if your unit is a drive-up space with exterior access.
2. Not Labeling Boxes During a Move
Speaking of moving, one of the worst packing mistakes people make is not labeling boxes with their contents. We start thinking, “oh, that’s not so many boxes,” or “I’ll remember where I put what,” only to find that isn’t the case when it comes time to unpack. Now you’re left scrambling to find this or that by digging through each box and making more of a mess.
If you don’t label boxes by room first and contents second, you may gamble on which boxes end up in which rooms. While this is mainly an inconvenience, moving around boxes when they could have been organized correctly the first time is exhausting.
3. Forgetting to Make a Storage Unit List
Making a list of the items in your storage unit, garage, or attic—no matter how detailed—can be a helpful tool for finding things in a hurry. Too often, we go to grab something out of storage only to forget where we put it. Many experts recommend inventorying what goes into storage, including the above step of labeling boxes. The list doesn’t have to be physical, either. You’d be surprised just how far a spreadsheet can take you. And it’s less likely to be misplaced.
4. Stacking Things Too High to Reach Comfortably
Properly packing things away in a storage unit, moving truck, closet, or another part of your home isn’t just for convenience. It can prevent a safety hazard! Stacking things too high often runs the risk of items shifting out of place and toppling over. Not only can that cause damage to your belongings, but it can also be hazardous. The last thing you need is broken glass or furniture falling on you or obstructing your path.
Even though you should always think vertically when placing items into a storage space, avoid stacking boxes too high. Pay attention to width and weight, too. Just because a cardboard box is wider does not necessarily mean it can support the weight of the boxes on top of it. Also, when possible, use padding inside boxes to provide additional support and reduce the risk of breakage.
5. Not Renting the Right Kind of Storage Unit
You properly pack everything for storage, make an inventory list, and remember to place items at an appropriate height. However, one major storage no-no could still cause issues down the road: renting the wrong kind of storage unit.
Items sensitive to temperature changes—computers, electronics, wooden furniture, antiques, and documents—should be placed in a climate controlled storage space to help protect against the elements. Ensuring these items are kept within a stable temperature range will help protect them from extreme heat or cold damage. If you choose to forego this feature, you chance certain items warping, fading, melting, or cracking during their time in storage.
Find answers to your storage and organization questions at Prime Storage!
Packing and placing items in storage isn’t scary if you know what you’re doing. That’s where we come in. Prime Storage offers convenient and affordable storage options in a variety of sizes. Our staff can help answer your questions and point you in the right direction, whether you’re looking for packing supplies or want to rent storage for your home or business. Visit your nearest Prime Storage location today to learn more about how self storage can help keep you from being haunted by the horrors of an unorganized home.
