Very Important Storage Tips
- Protect temperature-sensitive belongings. Do not store valuable or temperature-sensitive items in non-temperature-controlled storage. This includes furniture with delicate materials such as leather, wood, or fabric, as well as electronics and other items that may be affected by temperature changes.
- Use plastic totes. Whenever possible, store belongings in sealed plastic totes when using non-temperature-controlled storage.
- Protect furniture. Wrap furniture with packing blankets, then secure the blankets with plastic wrap and tape.
- Remove furniture legs when appropriate. Wrap removed legs individually with packing blankets and secure them with plastic wrap and tape.
- Keep belongings off the concrete floor. Use pallets or another suitable barrier between your belongings and the concrete.
- Protect mattresses and box springs. Place mattresses and box springs in protective mattress covers and store them flat.
- Avoid moving in during rain or snow. Do not move belongings into storage while it is raining or snowing, as moisture can damage your contents.
- Never store wet or damp belongings. Make sure all items are completely dry before placing them into storage. Storing wet or damp belongings can lead to damage while they are stored.
Additional Storage Tips
- Protect hanging clothes and draperies. Hang clothing and draperies in wardrobe boxes and secure them properly with plastic wrap and tape for added protection.
- Pack lamps and lampshades separately. Place lamps and lampshades in individual boxes. Use plenty of clean packing paper, soft clothing, or other suitable padding to protect them from damage.
- Protect mirrors and paintings. Pad mirrors, framed artwork, and paintings with packing paper or protective material. Place them in specialty mirror boxes or appropriately sized cartons for additional protection.
- Keep frequently used items near the front. Store belongings you expect to need most often near the front of your storage unit for easier access.
- Create a center aisle. When organizing your storage unit, leave a center aisle whenever possible so you can easily access belongings throughout the unit.
- Keep boxes off concrete floors. Do not place boxes or belongings directly on concrete. Use pallets, skids, or another suitable barrier to allow airflow around and underneath your stored items.
- Drain fuel from small engines. Drain gasoline and oil as appropriate from lawn mowers and other equipment with small engines before placing them into storage. Do not store gasoline or other fuels inside your storage unit.
- Know what cannot be stored. Common sense, your rental agreement, and applicable laws determine what may be stored. You control access to your storage space; therefore, never store firearms, illicit drugs or drug paraphernalia, live animals, perishable items, liquids, explosives, flammable liquids or fuels, toxic materials, or other prohibited items.
- Organize long-handled tools. Use sturdy trash cans or similar containers to organize and store shovels, hoes, rakes, and other long-handled tools.
- Protect wood surfaces. Use appropriate protective covers and properly treat wood surfaces before placing furniture or other wooden belongings into storage.
- Help protect metal items from rust. Before storing appropriate metal items, wipe clean metal surfaces with a cloth containing a few drops of machine oil to help reduce the potential for rust.
- Protect electronics in temperature-controlled storage. Electronics should be stored in a temperature-controlled storage unit when available. Place them toward the back of the unit where they are less likely to be bumped or damaged while accessing other belongings.
Storage Packing Tips
- Use plastic storage containers. Whenever possible, pack belongings in securely closed plastic containers to help protect them from dust, moisture, rodents, and other potential damage.
- Seal cardboard boxes securely. If you use cardboard boxes, make sure they are tightly sealed with quality packing tape to help prevent dust and debris from entering.
- Label and inventory your boxes. Label boxes on multiple sides for easy identification. Keep an inventory at your home or office that includes a list, photos, and descriptions of stored belongings. Clearly mark boxes containing fragile items and always place them on top of heavier, less delicate boxes.
- Prepare appliances before storage. Thoroughly clean and dry appliances before placing them into storage. Secure movable parts and protect them with packing paper or padding. Tape appliance doors shut during transportation, but leave doors slightly open while in storage to allow air circulation.
- Pack books flat. Store books flat to help protect their spines. Line cartons with plastic when appropriate and fill empty spaces with packing paper to prevent books from shifting.
- Protect dishes and glassware. Use plenty of packing paper when storing dishes and glassware. Place cushioning material at the bottom and top of each carton, wrap every dish and glass separately, and fill empty spaces with crumpled paper. Plates should be packed vertically on their edges rather than stacked flat.
- Use a high-quality lock. Always secure your storage unit with a high-quality lock. Locks are available for purchase at Laing Self Storage. Ask your site manager for a recommendation if you need help selecting the right lock.
- Choose temperature-controlled storage for sensitive belongings. Items that may be damaged by temperature changes should be stored in a temperature-controlled storage unit whenever available.
- Maximize furniture storage space. Whenever possible, place dressers and tables top-to-top to make better use of the available space inside your storage unit.
Important Storage Disclaimer
Self storage is not a “leave it and forget it” situation. Stored belongings should be properly packed, protected, and periodically checked throughout the rental period. Items such as electronics and furniture made with sensitive materials, including leather, wood, and fabric, may be subject to damage from extreme heat, cold, moisture, or other environmental conditions, particularly when stored in a non-temperature-controlled storage unit.
Customers are responsible for properly packing, protecting, and storing their belongings. Laing Self Storage is not responsible for damage to belongings that are improperly packed, protected, or stored.
Protecting your stored belongings is important. Customers should maintain appropriate protection or insurance for their stored contents. Laing Self Storage offers Tenant Protection that may provide protection for covered losses involving wind damage, rodents and vermin, water damage (excluding flood), fire and smoke, and other covered events.