Looking for self-storage? Chances are that you’re going to pack and move soon. Packing and moving is a big chore, especially if you’re doing it without professional packers and removalists. Here are a few tips to make sure you protect your items, save time and money and have as stress-free a pack and move as possible!
Packing tips
Start early
Start packing as early as possible. The most common mistake people make when they pack, and move is to underestimate how long it will take. Often the movers arrive, and they are still doing last minute packing!
Not only does this create a stressful situation but it increases the chance that you will miss something and that the move itself will take longer. The better packed a home is, the faster it is to move.
As soon as you know your moving day, start packing. You can start by packing books, collectables and off-season linen and clothing and any stored items in the garage or basement. Pack a few boxes each day and make sure the day before you move only the essentials are left to pack.
Invest in high quality packing materials
It may be tempting to save money by using free cartons from supermarkets and newspapers to wrap your fragile items. However, not only are these things not very protective but the ink may also bleed onto your items.
Buy bubble wrap, packaging paper and strong boxes. Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap and use packaging paper and packing peanuts to cushion your items. Save yourself the disappointment of finding broken glasses and bowls and the hassle of being forced to replace them.
Heaviest at the bottom
When packing your boxes, put the heaviest items at the bottom such as pots, pans and the lightest at the top. The light layer should also be made up of soft material that will act as a cushion: tea towels, linens, towels, and cushions themselves.
Do not overpack or overfill the boxes, your things will be squashed and damaged.
Use crumple zones and buffers
At the base of each box place a layer of packing peanuts, crumpled butcher paper or bubble wrap. This will act as a cushion for all your items. Pack the first layer of heavy items, then create a crumple zone of scrunched up butcher paper.
Keep alternating your items with layers of paper which will buffer the items. Before you close the lid of the box, pack the light, soft items last.
Labelling and stacking your boxes
Label all your boxes and box contents clearly. Create a master list which has all the box numbers and their contents on it. It is best to save this on your phone, so you have easy access to it when you unpack.
Stack all your boxes in the corner of the room to give yourself or your removalists as much space as possible to make packing and moving easier.
Moving tips
Book your truck early
As soon as you know your moving day, hire a truck. The earlier you book your truck the lower the price of hire will be. It’s also good to get this out of the way as the later you book, the fewer trucks there will be available.
Disassemble your furniture
Disassemble your furniture so it will fit through doorways and into the storage module easily. Disassembling furniture will also make it easier to wrap.
Once disassembled you can wrap the parts individually such as table legs, the bed head, slats, bed frame parts and more. This way they will be a lot easier to pack into the storage module or unit.
Drain any hoses or pipes
Before moving any appliances, drain any hoses or pipes. If these have any liquid left, they may dampen your items and storage module causing mould and mildew.
Wrap your household items
Wrap your furniture, appliances and any items that aren’t boxed up in stretch wrap, mattress protectors for furniture pads and blankets. These will cushion your items, reducing any damage during transit and storage.
The covers will also protect your items from dust, mould, and other harmful things.
Use trolleys, straps, and a ramp
Use the same equipment that professional removalists do and hire trolleys, ramps, and buy some straps. Trolleys and ramps will help you move your heavy items more easily. Straps will secure your items to the side of the truck to make sure they don’t move around too much when you’re driving.
These tools and equipment won’t just save you time and protect your items, they will save your back, muscles, and energy as well!
Get insurance!
Did you know that most of the damage that happens to household items in storage happens during the move? Therefore, it is crucial to insure your precious items at every stage of packing, moving and storage.
Get insurance for your home contents that covers the time that they are being moved from your home to self-storage and back.