Tips & Tricks

Self Storage Tips & Tricks

New to storage or just looking for some handy time-saving hints and tips? You’ve come to the right place!

General Tips

  • Use packaging materials such as cartons, porta-robes, paper, tape and bubble wrap to protect and maintain your goods while in storage.
  • Fill cartons to capacity as partially full cartons may collapse.
  • Do not overfill cartons, as bulging cartons may tip and will be harder to stack.
  • Heavy items such as books or tools should be packed in smaller cartons to make them easier to handle.
  • Books should be packed flat, not on their spine.
  • Label each carton as you pack, so that you can find items easily while in storage. This also makes unpacking easier.

Appliances

  • White goods should be thoroughly dry and clean before storing.
  • Fridge and freezer doors should be secured slightly ajar to maintain freshness. A deodoriser placed inside the appliance is also a good idea.
  • Do not place items inside fridges or freezers as the shelves and linings can be easily marked and damaged.
  • Do not store food in fridges and freezers.

Furniture

  • The use of drop sheets or similar covers will help protect your furniture.
  • Empty wardrobes, cupboards and drawers to protect the shelving and structure of these items of furniture.
  • Clothing and personal goods should be packed in strong secure cartons with mothballs, naphthalene, lavender or similar repellent product to help protect your goods.
  • Because of the high level of humidity in the Byron Bay area, a moisture absorbent product should be placed within the storage shed to help protect against damp or mould.
  • Where possible, remove legs from tables, beds etc to save space and avoid damage.

Crockery & Glassware

  • Pack items of crockery into smaller cartons to avoid having cartons which are too heavy to handle.
  • Place a layer of packing, such as paper or ribbed cardboard at the bottom and top of cartons containing breakables.
  • Wrap fragile items individually in packing paper – avoid the use of newspaper, as it can be very messy.
  • Nest cups and bowls; stand plates, saucers, platters and casseroles on their edge.
  • Fill any gaps in the cartons with packing such as scrunched up paper or linen.
  • Label all cartons containing fragile items and avoid storing heavy items on top of them.

Mirrors, Glass & Paintings

  • Protect these items with packing material such as bubble wrap or in a flat pack carton.
  • Store these items upright, standing on their edge; do not lay them flat.

Metal Items

  • Wrap silver in non-acidic tissue paper to help reduce tarnishing.
  • Wipe chrome or cast iron with a small amount of machine oil; this will help retard rust.

TV, Consoles, Amps, etc

  • This equipment is very delicate and should be handled with care.
  • Wherever possible, use original boxes. If you do not have the original box, wrap items individually in bubble wrap before you pack them in cartons.
  • Fill in any gaps in the cartons with paper or linen.
  • Secure turntables and tone arms of record players to prevent damage in transit.
  • Pack records on their edge in cartons to prevent warping; pack CDs on their edge in individual cases to prevent scratches.
  • Plasma televisions should be protected with bubble wrap or a similar protective item and stored upright.

Battery Operated Items

  • Remove batteries from these items to avoid damage from leaking batteries.

Computers

  • As with electrical items, computers need special care.
  • Wherever possible, use original boxes. If you do not have the original box, wrap items in bubble wrap and pack them in good quality cartons.
  • Use some packing in the bottom and top of cartons to provide extra protection and fill in any gaps.
  • Use masking tape to label ports.
  • Make a back up of your hard drive and store the back-up somewhere other than your storage shed.

Mowers & Machinery

  • Drain fuel and oil from machinery; this will reduce the risk of leakage, spillage and damage to other items in your storage space.
  • Petrol and oil left in your machinery are also a fire hazard.

Vehicles

  • Store vehicles with minimal fuel.
  • Disconnect the battery; this will prolong the life of the battery.

Need a hand?

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us for assistance.

Car stored in a drive-up self storage unit in the Pakenham facility.
View of 3 storage units site by side at Store It Safe Pakenham.