Furniture and appliances:

• Empty your appliances and clean them thoroughly. Defrost the freezer and fridge, de-grease the stove and remove any baked-on food which may attract pests.
• TIP: Keep appliance doors slightly ajar and add a box of baking soda to keep them smelling fresh.
• Drain fuel from lawn mowers and other machinery and remove batteries from battery-operated devices.
• TIP: Wipe chrome and other metal surfaces with a little machine oil to help prevent rusting.
• Disassemble bed frames, tables and shelves. Keep nuts and bolts from each item inside a well-marked plastic bag for easy re-assembly.
• Protect mattresses and sofas with furniture covers. Toss a couple of fabric softener sheets inside covers to keep items smelling fresh even after months of storage.
• Pack stereos, computers and televisions in their original boxes, if possible, or in strong boxes after individually wrapping pieces in bubble wrap. Remember to label all cords and pieces and back-up your important computer files before sealing the box.
• Clean your gardening tools (e.g. shovels, brooms, rakes and hoses) and keep them together in a clean and dry trash can. Hand-tools and smaller inventory items can be packed in sturdy plastic storage containers.

Breakables:

• Wrap breakables individually in either bubble wrap or cloth. Nest cups and bowls together and stack plates vertically on their edges. Plates can also be packed in dish boxes for extra protection.
• TIP: Make sure to mark these boxes “Fragile”. Never place heavier boxes on top of them.
• TIP: Furniture with drawers can be used as storage spaces for small items such as office tools (staplers, telephones) and delicate china or silverware. Remember to wrap them in bubble wrap or towels first, for added protection.
• Wrap mirrors, pictures and paintings in ink-free paper. Never store these items flat; instead, store them vertically, just like they hang on the wall.

Linens, clothing and carpets:

• Cloth items should be clean and free from soil and starch to avoid attracting pests.
• Store clothes on their hangers in wardrobe boxes. Do not enclose clothing within plastic bags.
• Carpets should be rolled right-side out (never folded) to preserve the pile.

Loading your storage space:

• Ideally, use pallets, plastic sheeting or heavy drop cloths to keep furniture and boxes off the concrete floor.
• Consider using freestanding shelving units to maximize your space.
• Stack similar-sized boxes on top of one another or place them on furniture and appliances. Don’t forget to use the space under tables.
• Save space by storing sofas on end.
• Place items you need most often at the front of the locker (in other words, load them in last).
• Leave a small aisle for accessing items at the back.
• Leave air space around the unit’s perimeter to ensure adequate ventilation.
• Use a good quality lock for added security. Ask us about locks!
• TIP: When lifting, always use your knees; never your back.