Items in storage almost never come out looking or feeling like you remember them. This can be incredibly disappointing in some cases, especially around Halloween. It mostly happens due to the common misconception that things will be fine if you put them in a box before you leave them for months together. The leather boots with a patch of fungus, the old dress that smells like dust and leaves you itching, all can be avoided.
You’ll need a few things to make sure your items will be ready to use right out of storage, especially if your self storage units are not climate insulated.
- Containers
This is one of the most important things people tend to keep getting wrong in storage. Self storage containers come in different shapes, sizes and types. Using the wrong type of container can harm your stored items. Certain plastics interact with other objects in ways it can be hard to predict. This is why people who need to maximize their storage in London, Ontario and other big cities are so particular about the grade of plastic they use.
- Dehumidifiers
Keeping packets of silica gel in your storage space keeps it dry and moisture resistant. If you are storing clothing, it is best to keep the clothes in between sheaves of paper and put them in a safe dry place. For equipment, tools and other stuff you don’t normally expect to use, consider storage units for safe, untouched storage. Clean your stuff before you put it with the silica gel. The gel only absorbs a certain amount of moisture and is meant to keep your stuff free of moisture in the air, so dry everything before the self storage.
- Covers
Even your self storage containers can be affected in a space that is not climate insulated, so it is important to get a weatherproof cover. This will provide a further layer of protection and also keep your stuff hidden from open view. The cover also gives you a way of marking different categories of storage so you can find things more easily.
- Bubble Wrap
Fragile items need extra protection. Bubble wrap has become immensely popular for self storage in London, Ontario and other big cities. The easy availability and high effectiveness at protecting fragile items makes it a must have item when you are storing delicate stuff. The bubble wrap should be used to insulate fragile items from shock so they do not break when moved around.
- Soft Dry Cloth
The cloth has many uses, the first of which is to dry down your stuff before you put it away. The second major use is to wrap up items that are best covered in cloth during storage. You don’t want an interaction with plastic or any other material ruining your items.
The above items do not form an exhaustive list, but they are key items that make your storage process easier and more effective. Storage is a very intention and item specific practice. What is useful depends on the conditions needed to maintain something well. The above items cover the majority of storage risks.