Storage Tips

• • Make your reservations for movers two to three weeks before your move day.
  • Use wardrobe boxes for your clothes from closets. Clothes in drawers can be placed in suitcases.
  • Use only small boxes for books. They get very heavy, very fast.
  • For large appliances be sure to check your owner’s manuals to see if there are special instructions for moving.
  • Always stack dishes upwards when packing.
  • Pack important and sentimental documents separately, and easily accessible.
  • Remember: the heavier the item, the smaller the box.
  • Don’t pack with food or supermarket boxes. You never know what little critter is hiding – or if the box will be strong enough to support your possessions.
  • Don’t use used boxes. The box may not be strong enough for your possessions.
  • Never use duct tape – use packing tape.
  • Clearly label all boxes on top and side.
  • As you take apart furniture and other items make sure to tape all parts to the main base.
  • Try to pack all electronic equipment, like stereos in their original boxes. Otherwise use bubble wrap when packing these items, and make sure to label fragile.
  • Start packing items you will not need ahead of time.
  • By law, a moving company can’t transport hazardous materials such as gasoline, bottled gases and other flammables, ammunition and explosives.
  • Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box.
  • Pack a box of essential items that you will need immediately after the move and make sure it’s the last thing added to the truck.
  • Always pack and unpack breakables over a padded surface.
  • Always tape boxes at the bottom, and at the top.
  • Clean out closets, the attic, and the basement as soon as you decide it’s time to move.
  • Two weeks before the move don’t forget to arrange to transfer school records.
  • Make a “survival closet” of things for the last cleanup before you move out.
  • Remember to get snacks for move day.
  • Schedule disconnect times for about a week before your move day — you don’t want to have to pay for cable, phone and utilities when you aren’t even there!
  • Cancel newspapers, cable, pest control, cleaning help, lawn services about a week before the move.
  • Mail in your change of address forms a few days before your move date.
  • The day before your move, defrost the fridge.
  • Make sure to get enough cash to get you through move day.
  • Don’t use boxes without tops. No tops make it impossible to stack properly in the truck.
  • Use custom-designed boxes when packing fine china and clothing.
  • When interviewing moving companies, make sure to ask if they are insured and bonded and how they charge.
  • When interviewing moving company, make sure to ask if they charge extra for large items such as pianos and big screen TVs.
  • When interviewing a possible moving company, remember to ask what kind of training their movers and drivers go through before servicing customers.
  • When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if there is a cancellation policy.
  • When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they move nights and weekends and if they charge extra.
  • When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask what type of payment options they offer.
  • When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask what their customer referral rate is.
  • When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they use full-time employees or temps and day labor.
  • When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they offer free estimates.
  • When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they charge for travel time from their office to your location.
  • When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask what services are included in the estimate.
  • When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if your items will be insured during the move.
  • When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they have a minimum charge.
  • When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they charge by the piece or by the hour.
  • When interviewing possible moving companies make sure to browse their website, and see if they have positive reviews on: Yelp, Angies List, Fb…
  • Prepare all your appliances from washer and dryer to refrigerator for storage.

Storing machines and other appliances

• • Clean your appliances before packing.
  • Do not forget to defrost the refrigerator before placing it in the storage unit.
  • Keep some of the items inside the large appliance and stack large appliances with the boxes on the top.
  • Cover the screen of the TV and computer with the bubble sheet to protect it from damage.

Packing and Storing Books and Documents

Books form the valuable part in your life and it is important to pack them properly before storage to prevent them from damage.

• • Wipe off dust and debris from the books using soft, clean cloth.
  • Store the book of the same kind together.
  • Use small, hard and high-quality boxes to keep the books.
  • Provide additional safety to your books by wrapping them with the polyester jackets.
  • Do not forget to label the box based on the type of books it contains.

Storage of Bicycle and other metal items

Before storing your bicycle or other metallic items wipe its body with a cloth, dip in machine oil. The oil layer on the surface of metal prevents it from rusting and corrosion during storage.

Packing of Bedding and Other Clothes Material

• • Clothes, Drapes, and Linen should be stored on hangers.
  • The items that cannot be hung should be properly folded and stored in wardrobes, drawers along with bedding.
  • Before storing wash all the cloth material and make sure that none of them contain the material or stains that might attract pests.

Safe Packing and Storage of Dishes and Glassware

• • Dishes and Glassware are precious and delicate items. Place these items carefully in the customized boxing.
  • Before keeping the items in the boxes, wrap each material.
  • Place the flat dishes like plates at the bottom and bowls, nest cups and other belongings at the top of the carton.
  • Fill the empty pockets of the cartons with the packing material.
  • Do not forget to provide complete protection to the packed dishes from the bottom.

Storage of Furniture Goods

• • Before storing your furniture good, clean each item with the clean cloth and appropriate cleaner.
  • Dry the item to avoid any mark or patches of locked moisture, as the trapped moisture can cause discoloration with time.
  • Disassemble the items like dressers, beds, tables for easy transportation.
  • Group and wrap the similar disassembled items to keep them organized in the storage space.
  • Cover your items with the bubble sheet to protect them from damage.
  • Provide proper padding to the table top and other similar furniture items.
  • Avoid using the plastic material for wrapping items and store the materials properly in the storage space.

Items Prohibited for Storage

According to the State Law some of the items are prohibited from storage. The banned items include:

• • live animals
  • perishable materials
  • liquids, explosives
  • flammable liquids and fuels
  • toxic materials

Also, remove and drain off fuel from the gasoline engines before storage.

Store Your Items in the Storage Space Carefully

• Pack and stack your items in the space carefully.
• Try to organize your items in the given space properly and keep the frequently used items near the door and the valuable items in the rear of the unit.