Packing and Storage Guide by Self Storage Plus

Packing for a move, shipping belongings, or preparing for storage? Make your process easier with the help of Self Storage Plus. This packing and storage guide contains tips for gathering materials, planning your move, and making your transition. Find a Self Storage Plus facility near you and get started packing today!

How To Protect Your Belongings While Moving 

If your belongings are worth keeping, they’re worth protecting. The best way to do so is to use high-quality packing materials to avoid items being damaged during the moving, shipping, or storing process.

One of many property features offered by Self Storage Plus is the moving and packing supplies sold in-office at our facilities. We sell boxes of many sizes, bubble wrap, moving blankets, newsprint, specialized glassware and dishware foam kits, packing peanuts, furniture covers, and more. Furthermore, our storage professionals are there to provide advice and to help you select the right supplies.

Protecting Furniture

1. Mattresses, chairs, and sofas can be covered with specialized bags that keep them clean and dry while moving.
2. Wood and glass furniture should be wrapped in bubble wrap or moving blankets. If legs can be removed, dismantle and store them separately to lighten the heavy load and prevent damage. Take apart any removable shelves from cabinets, protect glass cabinet fronts with cardboard shrink-wrapped to the face of the cabinet, and wrap the outer portion in a high-quality moving blanket to safeguard it from dings while in transition.
3. Beds should be taken apart, and bed rails can be secured together for easy transportation. Wrap headboards and footboards individually with moving blankets. Cover mattresses with specialized covers to keep them clean. 
4. When disassembling furniture, remember to pack nuts, bolts, and screws for that piece in a plastic bag or folded into a piece of paper. Clearly label the outside so you’re able to match it back with the correct piece of furniture later.

Protecting Lamps and Décor

1. Lamp bases should be protected with bubble wrap, especially if they’re made of metal, ceramic, or glass. Removable lamp shades should be separated for added stability. Lampshades can be stacked and placed in a box or bag. Wrapped lamp bases should be transported in boxes for added ease and protection.
2. Mirrors and pictures should be bubble wrapped as well. Be careful of hooks on the back of frames when attempting to stack pictures or lean pictures against each other as they could damage other items. Larger mirrors or pieces of artwork should be placed in specialized mirror boxes after being wrapped for an extra layer of protection.
3. Smaller collectibles, including vases and figurines, should be wrapped individually in newsprint and placed in small boxes full of packing peanuts. Don’t try to fit too many items in one box, as they’ll need the peanuts for cushion when moved or jostled.

Protecting Dishes and Service Pieces

1. Dishes should be wrapped individually using newsprint or foam sleeves from one of our customer glassware/dishware kits available in our facility offices. These kits include cardboard dividers as well as glassware or dishware sleeves. They’re designed to fit perfectly into our small boxes.
2. Pitches should have extra care put into protecting their handles with bubble wrap, newsprint, or foam wrap before you fully wrap the exterior. Like vases and collectibles, box your pitcher in a small-sized box with plenty of packing peanuts.
3. Platters, serving bowls, and serving trays should be wrapped individually in bubble wrap or newsprint. If placing multiple platters or bowls in the same box, you should make sure there are layers of cushion surrounding each individual item.

Protecting Electronics

1. Wrap televisions and computer monitors carefully, placing the wrapped items in specialized boxes for added cushioning while moving. 
2. Wrap electronic devices in bubble wrap or cushion foam. Bundle any cords to the devices and tape them to the outside of the wrapped device so that all components stay together for easy reassembly. Box the wrapped devices for added protection and easier transportation.

Packing Like a Pro

Soft Housewares

1. Blankets and quilts can be placed in larger boxes that accommodate their loftiness. Pillows can be shrink-wrapped into empty dresser or cabinet drawers to help protect the drawers while moving. They can also be placed in the drum of dry washers and dryers for moving or storage.
2. Area rugs should be vacuumed, rolled up, and shrink-wrapped in two to three places along the length (depending on the size of the rug) to ensure they do not unroll during the move.
3. Books should be packed laying flat in smaller boxes. This will protect their spines and ensure you can lift the filled boxes.

Clothing

1. Hanging clothes can be grouped in bundles into bags from the dry cleaner or even large trash bags. Alternatively, they can be boxed in specialized wardrobe boxes with hanging bars to ensure easy unpacking and that they retain their pressed finish. 
2. Folded clothes can be packed in boxes, trunks, plastic tubs, or empty suitcases.

Appliances

1. Small appliances like stand mixers, sewing machines, microwaves, coffee pots, blenders, and juicers should be cleaned, dried, wrapped, and boxed individually to fit the size of the appliance. If you’re someone who keeps the original packaging of your appliances, those will work perfectly and help you stay organized.
2. Large appliances such as refrigerators, washers and dryers, should be thoroughly cleaned and dried prior to packing. Secure movable parts and pull out any removable shelves. The doors should then be shrink-wrapped or taped closed to avoid damage during the move but should be opened for proper ventilation if they will be placed in storage after the move.

General Tricks of the Trade

1. Use high-quality packing materials, including durable tape and corrugated boxes, to hold your belongings. A good box adds that extra layer of padding in its well-supported construction and quality tape helps prevent splitting during use. 
2. Use the right size box for the item you are packing. A box that is too large for the item it is holding can become unstable, while a box that is overfilled can bulge and become hard to stack and conserve space. 
3. Keep in mind the weight of the filled box. It may seem like a great idea to have fewer boxes, but packing them full could make them too heavy for you to carry. 
4. Label your boxes and wrapped items to make it easier to identify where items are. If you are moving, it may also help to label them with the room they belong in once they arrive at your new home. This will save you from having to move items again after your movers leave. Looking for more advice about moving? Our moving guide is full of helpful information so your transition to a new home can go smoothly.
5. Label boxes holding delicate or breakable items as “fragile.” This will remind you to handle them carefully and to avoid stacking heavier boxes on top of them.

Packing and Moving Supplies

Self Storage Plus is your one-stop shop for all things packing and moving. In addition to offering well-maintained storage units for rent, we also sell boxes, locks, and other packing supplies on-site in our moving supply stores as one of our many property features. Whether you need to purchase boxes, covers, and packing materials to store your belongings with us, boxes to ship gifts or care packages to loved ones, covers to protect your furniture during a remodel, or simply need a lock to secure your storage unit, we have it all right here in our leasing office. 

Do you need help selecting the right supplies for your next project? At Self Storage Plus, our staff of self storage experts is happy to help. Simply tell us your plan and we’ll be happy to provide a full list of the supplies you will need to pack, store, or move successfully. Locate your nearest Self Storage Plus facility and give us a call to learn more about our inventory of packing supplies for sale.