Protect Your Items in Long-Term Storage: Prep & Packing Tips

Moving can bring a lot of exciting changes, but sometimes it also presents a few logistical puzzles. Whether you’re waiting for your new home to be ready, coordinating different moving stages or handling unforeseen delays, the entire moving process can take longer than anticipated.

Whatever the reason, these kinds of scenarios often call for a smart and reliable solution: long-term storage solutions. It provides a secure and flexible option to keep your belongings safe and sound during these transitions.

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the best ways to pack and prepare your items for their extended stay in storage. We’ll cover practical packing tips and how to prep different types of items to prevent damage.

Why Long-Term Storage Requires Proper Preparation

When you’re thinking about storing items for an extended period during a move, the approach needs to be different from simply putting things away temporarily. Depending on your moving timeline, your items could be in storage for weeks, months or even longer, making careful preparation essential.

Over the long term, items can be more susceptible to things like accumulating dust that can be tough to remove, damage from temperature fluctuations, issues with moisture leading to mold or rust and even the unwelcome attention of pests. Materials themselves can also degrade over time if not properly cared for.

This means preparing your belongings for long-term storage requires a more thoughtful approach to packing and protection to ensure everything stays in great shape until you’re ready for it again.

Pre-Storage Preparation: Clean, Dry and Declutter

Before packing for long-term storage, prioritize cleaning, drying and decluttering. Why? Because dirt and moisture can cause damage over time, and decluttering means less to store.

Declutter First

This is the perfect time to evaluate what you truly need. As you prepare for your upcoming move, sort through your belongings and create piles for what you’ll keep, donate, sell or toss. Decluttering can save you storage space and effort down the line.

Clean and Dry is Key

Before packing for long-term storage, make sure to thoroughly clean each item. This removes dust that can settle in and become difficult to remove over time, and it also helps to deter pests. Just as importantly, ensure everything is completely dry before packing. Trapped moisture can lead to mold, mildew and other damage during an extended storage period.

Label Clearly

After cleaning and drying, the next step is labeling. Clearly label each box with a detailed description of its contents. Be specific and use a permanent marker on multiple sides of the box for easy identification, no matter how it’s stacked.

Choosing the Proper Packing Materials

To give your belongings the best protection during their time in storage, focus on using the right packing supplies:

Choose Sturdy Boxes: Invest in robust cardboard boxes designed for moving or storage. They offer better structural integrity for stacking and long-term protection compared to used or flimsy boxes.
Utilize Bubble Wrap for Padding: Wrap fragile items generously in bubble wrap to cushion them against potential bumps and impacts.
Protect Furniture with Breathable Covers: Use fabric furniture covers to shield larger pieces from dust and scratches while allowing air to circulate.
Consider Plastic Bins with Lids: For items particularly vulnerable to moisture or pests, these durable plastic storage bins with secure lids can function as an excellent container, offering an extra layer of defense.
Avoid Plastic Bags: Don’t use plastic bags for packing clothes or other items long-term, as they can trap moisture and promote mold growth. Opt for breathable alternatives.
Use Desiccants or Moisture Absorbers: Place these inside boxes, especially with fabrics, electronics or documents, to absorb any excess humidity and help prevent moisture damage.

Best Practices for Packing Each Type of Item

Packing smart isn’t just about throwing things in a few boxes; it’s about giving each type of item the specific care it needs for a long stay in storage. Here’s a breakdown of best practices:

Furniture: Taking it Apart for Safe Keeping

If possible, disassemble large furniture pieces like bed frames and tables to save space and minimize the risk of damage. Remember to wrap each component individually with moving blankets or furniture covers to protect all surfaces from scratches and dust, securing the coverings with tape.

Crucially, keep all screws, bolts and other hardware for each disassembled item in separate, clearly labeled bags and tape these bags securely to the corresponding furniture piece so they don’t get lost.

Electronics: Handling with Care

Whenever possible, use the original packaging for electronics as it’s specifically designed for protection. Wrap electronics in anti-static bubble wrap to prevent damage from electrostatic discharge.

To keep things organized, store all cords and remotes in separate, labeled baggies and keep them with their corresponding electronic device.

Clothing and Fabrics: Keeping Them Fresh

For clothing, choose wardrobe boxes for hanging garments or breathable plastic bins for folded items. Avoid storing clothes long-term in cardboard boxes, as they can attract pests.

Skip vacuum sealing, which can damage natural fibers over time; instead, opt for breathable storage methods and use cedar blocks or natural repellents to keep pests away.

Delicate Items and Keepsakes: Handle with Extra Love

For delicate items such as glassware, artwork or antiques, it’s crucial to wrap each item individually and generously with multiple layers of bubble wrap or packing paper (consider acid-free paper for delicate keepsakes). Utilize cardboard dividers within boxes to keep items separated and prevent them from knocking against each other, and be sure to fill any empty spaces with packing peanuts to minimize movement.

Finally, clearly label all sides of boxes containing fragile items with large, clear “FRAGILE” warnings.

Appliances: Preparing for Downtime

Before storing refrigerators and freezers, completely defrost and dry them thoroughly, inside and out, to prevent mold and mildew. Tape the doors slightly ajar to allow air circulation and prevent moisture buildup inside. Finally, wrap the cords neatly and secure them with tape or ties to avoid damage.

Setting Up Your Storage Unit Like a Pro

Once you’ve meticulously packed your belongings, the way you organize them within your storage unit is just as important for long-term access and protection.

Leave Room to Maneuver

Resist the urge to simply stack boxes as high as they can go right from the entrance to the back wall. Instead, keep a well-organized storage unit by creating aisles. This will allow you to safely move around, access items when you need them and prevent a domino effect of falling boxes.

Aim for at least a walkway down the center and potentially smaller pathways between stacks. Make sure to choose the right storage unit size.

Front and Center for Frequent Finds

Think about the items you might need to access periodically during your storage period. Place these boxes and items closer to the front of your unit. This could include seasonal decorations, items you might need for temporary housing or documents you might need to retrieve.

Clearly labeling these “access now” items will make finding them much easier without having to dig through everything else.

Elevate for Protection

Ground-level moisture can be a sneaky threat in storage units. To protect your boxes and their contents, especially from potential dampness, consider using shelving units. Even simple, inexpensive metal or plastic shelving can lift your boxes off the floor, providing crucial air circulation and a barrier against any moisture that might accumulate at ground level.

This is particularly important for cardboard boxes, which can weaken and become susceptible to mold if they come into contact with dampness.

Temperature-Controlled Units: A Worthwhile Choice?

When considering long-term storage, maintaining a stable temperature can be a significant advantage for protecting certain types of belongings.

While not always necessary for all items, a stable temperature minimizes risks such as the warping of wooden furniture, the cracking of sensitive materials and potential damage to high-value inventory that can occur with large temperature swings. Whether you choose a standard storage unit or a temperature-controlled one largely depends on the specific items you plan to store and their susceptibility to temperature changes.

Good Choices for Temperature-Controlled Storage:

Electronics: Protect sensitive components from heat damage.
Wooden Furniture: Prevent warping and cracking due to temperature changes.
Artwork: Guard against temperature-related damage.
Heat/Cold Sensitive Items: Like vinyl or some plastics.
Areas with Temperature Swings: Ensures stability regardless of the season.

Extra Steps for Long-Term Storage Peace of Mind

You’ve packed like a pro and chosen the right long-term storage unit – fantastic! To ensure your long-term storage process is as smooth and worry-free as possible, here are a few extra bonus tips:

Keep a Record of Your Belongings

Take the time to create either a detailed inventory list of the contents of each box or a photo log. This simple step can be incredibly helpful when you need to recall what you’ve stored and where it might be. Trust us, months or even years down the line, you’ll thank yourself for this organizational foresight!

Secure Your Space

While storage facilities have their own security measures, adding an extra layer of protection to your individual unit is always a good idea. Invest in a high-quality, sturdy lock for your unit. Disc locks or cylinder locks are often recommended for their resistance to tampering.

Check-Ins When Possible

If your location and schedule allow, consider visiting your storage unit occasionally to give it a quick check. This doesn’t need to be a deep dive, but a brief visual inspection can help you identify any potential issues early on, such as signs of pests, leaks or shifted boxes.

The Armstrong Company’s Services for Your Long-Term Storage Needs

When your residential move requires a reliable solution for storing your belongings long-term, Armstrong offers residential moving services designed to simplify the process. Our secure and professionally-managed facilities provide a safe environment for your items for as long as you need.

We offer expert packing services to help you prepare for storage. Our experienced team can pack your items, ensuring they are properly protected for their extended stay using quality materials and proven techniques. This service saves you valuable time and effort during your move.

Peace of Mind in Long-Term Storage

Successful long-term storage comes down to a few key steps: declutter first, clean and dry everything thoroughly and use the right packing materials for each item. Thoughtful packing and smart unit setup, along with considering temperature control, are all worthwhile efforts.

Taking the time to be proactive and thorough in your preparation will ultimately reward you with peace of mind, knowing your belongings are well-protected.

And remember, Armstrong is here to help make your storage experience smooth and stress-free. With our secure, long-term storage options and packing services, we’re ready to assist you every step of the way. Contact us today for a personalized storage solution!