Self Storage is becoming more and more popular. With more houses getting built with less and less storage space, and more and more things bought every year where do you store your things? Whether you are decluttering, Moving home, need to store your tools, or even your sports equipment, there are some common items that end up in a Self Store.
10. MUSICAL OR SPORTS EQUIPMENT
You aspired to be the next jimi hendrix or even the next Tiger Woods, but sadly it never quite worked out. Whatever the reasons its hard to part with a set of golf clubs or a guitar.
Sports goods or Musical equipment Storage:
A Golf bag with the rain cover over the clubs should keep those clubs together. Just make sure the clubs and bag are clean to avoid any wear.
This goes for any other sporting equipment - Footballs, Rugby balls, Hockey equipment, tennis equipment. Whatever the sport making sure they are clean before they go into storage will keep them away from any lasting damage.
Musical equipment covers and bags are a great way to keep it from any damage. Top Tip - for unpadded bags and covers a clean towel or two just to pad out the bags, keep the equipment from any accidental falls and damage.
Amps and speakers - You make think that these are ok as they are however dust can sometimes get into the electronics and is a pain to clean. A Dust sheet or blanket can be a helpful solution.
9. CROCKERY, GLASSWARE, HOUSE ACCESSORIES
Yes, thats right crockery! You would be suprised how many people store their old pots and pans! While we would highly recommend disposing accordingly of any old unused pots and pans that aren't valuable or sentimental, crockery, glassware and general house acessories such as vases or ornaments are common in storage.
Crockery, Glassware or House Accessories Storage:
If you do want to keep any crockery, glassware or anything used out of the kitchen, make sure it is clean before storing. There is nothing worse than coming back to find mouldy cups or glasses!
Use bubble wrap or tissue paper to protect each item from damage.
Boxes can get heavy if they are large and filled with crockery. Be aware that cardboard boxes may not be suitable for this. Plastic boxes have much more longevity and can hold heavier items safer.
Remove lamp shades from lamps if you are storing - It's easier to store them and protect them seperately.
Storage Containers can get warm during the summer months - avoid putting used candles into storage they can make a mess.
8. SEASONAL ITEMS
Christmas and Halloween only come once a year, but many families can end up with boxes of costumes, lights, tree decorations and more. After the season is over Self Storage can be a great way of storing these items until next year.
Seasonal Items Storage:
Keep the most delicate items safe by using tissue paper to protect them inside a sturdy box. We recommend plastic storage containers as they are sturdy and can be stacked more efficiently.
With a mix of heavy and delicate items in a box, keep delicate items at the top of the box.
Avoid tangling up lights. Wrapping around tubes and securing the ends can a great way to keep them organised.
Make sure costumes are cleaned before storing can avoid any unpleasant mould.
MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS OFF! With lots of battery operated accessories and decorations, making sure they are off can save the batteries for next year. Consider even removing the batteries and keeping them separately in a small container, it takes a small amount time but can save money replacing them.
7. ART, COLLECTABLES, ANTIQUES
If you have family heirlooms or antiques that have value to you, Storage might be a way of offering security for these items, more than currently available from home. Collectors may need a space to organise and keep these types of items safe and clean.
Art, Collectables and Antiques Storage:
Try not to stack wall art. By placing them vertically separated by cardboard or dust sheets, this can keep the pressure off the frames and glass.
Avoid plastic wrapping on paintings as this can trap moisture.
Keep paintings and frames away from direct contact with the floor, and make sure they can not shift.
Keep rugs rolled up.
Bubble wrap, sheets and dust sheets are great for large antiques.
Store smaller items in boxes using tissue paper or bubble wrap.
Take out insurance whenever possible when storing valuable items like antique furniture or art.
6. APPLIANCES
If they are still in good working order or maybe they are just spares, appliances such as microwaves, vacuum cleaners, fridges, freezers and tumble dryers can be stored with good storing practices.
Appliances Storage:
Clean appliances before putting into storage - avoiding mould and rust.
Leave fridge, freezers and washing machine doors slightly open, this keeps air flowing through the appliance and avoids any horrible smells.
Drain any water from hoses, pipes or tanks.
Appliances such as microwaves have parts that maybe loose. Wrap additional parts in bubble wrap to avoid damage.
Tie cords up using cable ties and attach to appliance.
You may want to cover appliances in breathable sheets or covers.
5. MEDIA
Now we are venturing into the digital age, media such as CDs and DVDs are becoming, if not already, redundant. These collections took time and money so are understandably hard to dispose of which is why they are a common Self Storage item.
Media Storage:
The biggest and most time consuming job would be to make sure they are in their original packaging. If you do want to sell or donate these later down the line, it is worth the effort.
Whilst sorting them out check to see if they are damaged, if there is numerous scratches, maybe test them out to see if they are worth keeping.
Consider airtight bags instead of boxes to keep them from moisture damage.
When storing, keeping the titles visable may make finding individual CDs or DVDs easier to find in the future.
4. PHOTOGRAPHS, BOOKS, FILES AND MAGAZINES
Possibly number 1 in Personal Self Storage might be Photos, books, files and magazines. Photos of childhood, treasured memories or maybe your childhood collection of comics, whatever you have to store, all these things are perishable and need appropriate storage.
Photos, books, files and magazines Storage:
Protect your photos, newspapers and magazines from light and heat by storing neatly in boxes with protective cases.
These can be acid-free protective films that prevent degrading.
Consider getting Storage shelves to make storing books easier, and cover lightly to avoid dust.
Avoid overfilling boxes with heavy files or books, if you are using cardboard boxes they might break. Smaller boxes are more manageable.
3. ELECTRONICS
It can be hard parting with perfectly good electronics, some from the past could even be considered sentimental in value, whatever the reason you can generally find electronics at the top of the Storage list.
Electronics Storage:
If you can, store all electronics neatly back in their original packaging with all the booklets and cables.
Computers need to be properly stored - any static could result in short circuits. Anti-Static bags for small parts and polystrene around monitors, desktops and laptops can be useful. Alternatively, make sure to pad around these items in boxes.
Individually wrap computer keyboards, radios, cameras etc to ensure good working conditons in the future.
Organise boxes so delicate electronics stay at the top and pad the top of the box to avoid damage when stacking.
2. TOOLS AND SPARE PARTS
It's a close call between Tools and spare parts and the no.1 top most stored item. Rest assured, you can nearly always find tools and spare parts in any Self Storage unit.
Tools and Spare parts Storage:
A Tool box may be the obvious choice, and for good reason, a tool box is sturdy enough and segmented into compartments to store all your tools neatly.
Use small containers such as jam jars for small bits and bobs and label them - you don't want to be going through every container to find what you are after.
Consider shelving which can be extremely useful to display and organise these containers.
Make sure your tools are in good nick before storing - moisture and dirt can cause corrosion and ruin tools.
Put power tools back into their protective cases if they have them, and make sure they are clean.
1. FURNITURE
The no.1 most Stored item has to be... Furniture! Whether it be spare chairs needed for Christmas dinner, or that desk that has to make way for a nursery, whatever the reason, you can always end up with furniture that sadly has no place anymore but is just too good to depart from.
Furniture Storage:
Disassemble large furniture, making sure to keep screws with the furniture in a tidy bag.
Thoroughly clean beds and any fabric to prevent mould and musty smells.
Use dust sheets and padding to protect your furniture from dust and damage.
If chairs do not stack as they would normally stand, rotate one and stack them in pairs, putting a light sheet between them either way to protect them individually.
You can use drawers and cupboards as storage for other items - just be careful not to overfill, and make sure they are clean before you put things in them.
Writing labels on these drawers and other items can help you to remember you filled them with specific items and help you reassemble furniture in the future.
Polish metal furniture to prevent corrosion.
Cardboard or sheets can help prevent damage on mirrors. Keep them off the floor with padding and make sure they can not shift.
For information on Self Storage sizes please visit our Container size guide.
If you have unwanted items, whether you are decluttering or find unwanted items during moving, have a look at "12 Great places to donate your clothing and items to".