We care about the belongings you store with us and work hard to maintain high standard storage facilities and great customer service at all our facilities.
We are storage experts and by following our advice you can ensure your belongings remain in good condition. Although the units are dry and well ventilated, we recommend visiting your storage unit regularly and taking out adequate insurance cover. We also sell moisture traps to combat the problem of excess moisture.
Before Moving Into Storage
- The strength of boxes will degrade over time so we recommend that you use good quality boxes and packing materials. These are available at our storage office.
- If you buy similar sized boxes it will be easier to stack them securely and you will save space.
- A good quality heavy duty high security padlock is a requirement when securing your unit. These are available at our storage office.
Packing for Storage
- Filling boxes to capacity will help prevent breakages, but avoid over-packing your boxes and making them too heavy to lift!
- Use towels, paper or bubble-wrap to fill the spaces in your boxes. If you are stacking boxes then the ones at the bottom needs to be sturdy enough to hold the weight above. Boxes that are only partly filled may tip over or collapse.
- Label your boxes clearly so you can identify the contents and keep an inventory. Label the boxes on more than one side so you can quickly tell what is inside. Make sure any boxes containing breakable items are marked as “Fragile”.
- Don’t put all your heavy items in one box. Put a few heavy items at the bottom and top-up the box with lighter items.
- If you are storing books then pack them flat and not on their spines to avoid damage.
- Seal all your boxes with packing tape before putting them into the storage unit.
- If you will be visiting your unit on a regular basis, it is recommended that items that you may need more frequently are stored closer to the front or within easy reach.
Preventing Damage From Moisture
- Don’t store damp items (raw wood and logs) because they can cause water damage and encourage mould.
- Outdoor items like garden furniture, ornaments, BBQ’s, hosepipes, etc. could be damp or have possible moisture contained. We recommend that you book a separate smaller storage unit to store these items in order to reduce the likelihood of extra moisture being introduced to your main storage unit.
- Don’t pack items in sealed plastic bags. Humidity can cause mildew.
- Large appliances need care before placing in storage. Make sure you defrost fridges and freezers thoroughly, and properly dry them before storing them to reduce the chance of water damage.
- Drain washing machines and tumble driers before storing them and tie down hoses etc. Appliances should be clean and dry when they are put into storage.
- Fasten the doors of large appliances so they are securely shut during the move. Leave them slightly ajar once in storage to stop condensation forming and prevent bad odours.
- It is recommended that moisture traps are placed within your unit, especially near the aforementioned appliances, to help prevent condensation.
Packing Fragile and Delicate Items
- Wrap all fragile items and breakables such as dishes, glasses, ornaments and collectables separately. Paper will do, but bubble wrap is a good investment. Pack them tightly into strong boxes, filling any gaps with paper or filler. Avoid putting heavy items on top of fragile ones.
- If you are storing clothes then buy wardrobe or clothes boxes. The clothes will then keep their shape while they are hanging in them. It is not wise to store your clothes in bin liners because moisture can get trapped when they are sealed and your clothes could be damaged.
- Separate lamp bases and lamp shades and wrap them for protection.
- The best protection for mirrors and pictures is to wrap them in a protective covering such as bubble wrap and stack them on their ends. Mirrors and pictures should never be stored flat and should be marked as “Fragile”.
- Glass table tops should be removed from their bases, where possible, and wrapped in bubble wrap, before being stored on their sides. They should be marked as “Fragile”, and should never be stored flat or have items stored on top of them.
- Think carefully about whether you really want to store photographs because these can have great sentimental value. If you do store loose photographs, place them between pieces of clean cardboard and tape them together to avoid curling.
- CDs and DVD’s should be stored together. Avoid stacking anything on top of them.
Furniture Storage
- If you are storing upholstered products such as mattresses and sofas, we would strongly advise investing in covers, bags or sheets to give them some additional protection.
- Stand sofas and mattresses on end to save space and don’t stack too much on top of soft furnishings.
- Mattresses are best stored on the long end and should be raised above floor level or laid on protective sheeting.
- Mattresses hold a surprising amount of moisture and should not be put next to any polished surfaces or wooden furniture.
- If you are storing a few items of furniture on top of each other, a simple dust sheet or cover placed between items will minimise scratching and damage
- Wrap and cover furniture sections and keep them together, clearly marked for quick retrieval. You can put components such as screws and bolts in a plastic bag. Mark the bags clearly and tape them to the relevant piece of furniture. Store large pieces of furniture vertically to save space.
- Chairs can be stacked seat to seat to save space. Cover chair legs with protective wrapping for extra protection.
- Spray your wood furniture with good quality furniture polish before storing it in the facility to give it some added protection.
- Use furniture drawers as extra boxes (they are especially good for fragile items) and use the inside of wardrobes to store boxes.
- You will save space if you dismantle furniture such as beds and tables before you store them – make sure you keep all the bits so you can put them back together again!
Storing Electrical Goods and Unusual Items
- Electrical equipment such as TVs, stereos and computers should be packed in their original boxes wherever possible. If this isn’t possible, store them in boxes that’s a about the right size, making sure you fill any gaps.
- If you are storing items that have fuel tanks such as lawn mowers or motorcycles, drain the tanks before you put them in storage. Fuel is one of the few things that you cannot store in a self-storage facility. Please ask a member of staff if you are unsure what can be safely stored.
- It is not recommended to store perishable items such as food in the unit, even for a short time.
- It is recommended that vehicles going into storage, be stored within the unit to reduce the likelihood of damage and theft. Place a sheet underneath your vehicle to avoid damaging the unit floor in case of any oil or fuel leaks.
- Wipe down metal objects and tools with oil before storing to avoid rust. Tie tools and long-handled items in bundles. Don’t store a brush resting on its bristles.
- Don’t store vacuum cleaners with the bag in, throw the bag away before storing them.
- Treat leather items with a leather conditioner before you store them.
- Devices containing batteries, such as remote controls, should have their batteries removed before being placed into long-term storage to avoid possible damage from leaking batteries.
We hope these tips will help you store your belongings more safely. By thinking creatively and following our advice, you can make the most of your space and be confident that your belongings are safe and secure.
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