How Do I Pack My Belongings for Storage?

Placing the care of your prized possessions into the hands of a self-storage company can be daunting if you don’t know how to protect your items in storage properly. At 1st Access Self Storage, we place peace of mind and the security of your valuables above all else. That’s why we’ve created a quick guide to safely packing your belongings for storage. Learn how to protect your valuables in storage and inquire about our flexible storage in Peterborough today!

Step 1: Buy High-Quality Packing Materials

You can’t build a house without a solid foundation, right? Well, the same principle applies to packing. Everything comes down to the quality of packing materials you buy. Some of the most trusted packing materials are:

  • Cardboard Boxes
  • Bubble Wrap
  • Foam Wrap
  • Tape

We suggest storing heavy items in smaller boxes for easy lifting and packing china or breakables in plenty of bubble wrap, tissue paper or loose fill. Strong cardboard and plastic boxes tend to be the best when storing breakables. 

Step 2: Label Your Boxes

Labelling your boxes is both beneficial for you and insurers. It’s always a good idea to take an inventory of your labelled boxes so you know exactly what you’re putting away. You can then relay that information to insurers quickly and accurately. Plus, labelling your storage makes retrieving and unpacking items straightforward and hassle free!

Step 3: Invest in Protective Packing Materials for Large Items

Not sure how to protect larger items in storage units in Peterborough? It’s simple! All you need to do is cover your furniture with dust sheets and protect any table or chair legs with bubble or foam wrap to avoid scratching. You can also use foam corners to protect picture and mirror frames!

Step 4: Prep Kitchen & Garden Appliances

It’s very important to prepare your kitchen and garden appliances for storage. Take the time to ensure that your fridge and freezer are fully defrosted and dry to prevent any water leakage in our Peterborough storage units. Remember to wedge their doors open, too, to allow ventilation. In terms of preparing your garden appliances, be sure to drain the petrol out of your lawnmower, as local self-storage companies don’t allow highly flammable liquids, such as petrol, spirits or paints, to be stored.

Step 5: Secure Your Belongings

Arguably the most important aspect of packing your belongings for storage is having a padlock on hand to secure your storage container. If more than one person wants access to your locker, we suggest opting for a combination padlock instead. Should you be interested in one of our self-storage units in Peterborough, we ask that you tell us that upfront. We’ll then supply you with a padlock or combination padlock that’s been made in the UK!

Congratulations, you’ve just efficiently packed your valuables for storage! If you’d like to estimate your storage needs with 1st Access Self Storage, please get a quote online or give us a call. We’re your go-to flexible storage solution in Peterborough, as we offer insurance and a collection and delivery service.