STORAGE UNIT PACKING TIPS

Check out these tips and tricks to maximize the space in your self storage unit while keeping your belongings safe.

Keep Fragile & Heavy Items Low

Stacking fragile items on top of other items or boxes makes them more likely to fall and break. Storing heavy items higher up will result in boxes underneath giving out and heavy items falling.

Go Vertical

Though fragile items shouldn’t be stacked high, using the height of a storage unit will help maximize your space. 

Utilize Shelves & Storage Furniture

Storing shelves, a dresser, or other items used for storage at home? You can use those items to help maximize the space in your storage unit! Even something like a garbage bin can be used to store items. Don’t let empty space go to waste!

Make a Walkway

This one isn’t necessary if you don’t plan to take items in and out of self storage regularly, but especially when using a larger storage unit like a 10×20 or bigger, leaving a small walkway to be able to access items throughout your storage unit can save you a ton of trouble down the road.

Use Wooden Pallets

Using wooden pallets to raise your items off the concrete floor helps keep air flowing throughout the storage unit. This is a great way to avoid moisture buildup that items sitting directly on the floor can experience.  

Leave Items You’ll Need Most Near the Front

Know you’ll need something sooner than later? Make sure these types of items are kept near the front of your storage unit so that taking them in and out is as convenient as possible.

How to Keep Bugs and Mice Out of a Storage Unit

• Never store perishable items: It’s important to never store anything that may attract pests and vermin to your storage unit. Storing any sort of perishables, like cereal, produce, rice, oatmeal or other dry goods can attract pests. Additionally, never store pet food in your storage unit.
• Use the correct materials: While cardboard boxes are inexpensive, mice can chew through them. Plastic storage containers can minimize the risk of your items getting damaged because mice won’t be able to chew through them.
• Soak cotton balls in peppermint: Cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil are an effective way to keep rodents and pests out of your storage unit. Mice and spiders don’t like the smell of peppermint, which means they won’t enter your storage unit if they do smell it.
• Be proactive about checking for intruders: To minimize the risk of damage, it’s a good idea inspect your storage unit for any signs of pests every time you’re in it. Look in the corners to see if there’s any signs of a pest intruder.
• Cedar blocks: For additional protection, cedar blocks put in the corner of your storage unit can help to deter pests. Cedar is a great deterrent for rodents and bugs.