FACTS & TIPS
Appliances
A refrigerator or freezer should be clean and thoroughly dry and stored with its door slightly ajar. Some goods can be stored inside large appliances, and boxes can be stacked on top of stoves, refrigerators, and freezers. Make sure that stoves and cooking equipment are cleaned before they are stored. While in transit, all doors should be taped shut.
Bed Frames
You can save space by disassembling your bed frames. Fasten them together with bubble wrap, tape or rope. Place bolts in a small inner plastic bag, which you can tape to the side of the bed frame.
Boxes
Use uniform size boxes or Rubbermaid Totes for easy stacking. Be sure your boxes/totes are strong enough to hold 25 to 30 lbs. (It is best not to put too much in each box.) Place heavier items on the bottom of the box and place heavier boxes at the bottom of your box stack in your room.
Fill containers to capacity. Partially full or bulging cartons may tip or collapse. Protect fragile goods with packing and place them near the top of any stack.
When selecting a box/totes, keep in mind the weight as well as the size of the items you are packing. Use small boxes for heavier items such as books. Larger boxes can be used for lighter items, such as blankets and pillows.
Label all boxes.
Fragile items
Place a layer of packing inside the bottom and at the top of boxes containing fragile items. All items should be individually wrapped placing the most fragile near the top of the cartons. Again, fill all pockets with packing and leave no empty spaces. When stacking boxes that contain delicate items, place these on top of those containing heavy items. Label all boxes containing delicate items “FRAGILE”.
Holiday decorations
Save the original cartons that contained delicate ornaments and pad the ornaments with tissue paper or newsprint. Wrap strings of lights around a piece of cardboard before placing in a carton lined with packing paper.
Lamps
Lamp bases should be wrapped in padding and placed in boxes, dresser drawers, freezers or washing machines. Lampshades should be wrapped separately and packed in cartons. Do not use newsprint to wrap lampshades or any other goods that may be damaged by ink stains. Do not store heavy items on cartons containing lamps or lampshades.
Mattresses
It is best to store mattresses flat on top of a level stack of boxes or furniture. If you stand mattresses on their side, prop them up so they are supported and stand straight. Mattresses should be covered to keep them clean. If you must stand them straight, be sure to protect them with plastic sheets on the floor first.
Bedding, clothing, curtains, drapes, and linens
Clothing, curtains, and drapes should be stored on hangers. Food crumbs or stains should be removed before storage, and avoid storing anything that may attract pests.
It is always best to use wardrobe boxes for clothing. Clothes should be stored on hangers to retain their original shapes. Alternatively, you can fold your clothes and leave them in dresser drawers. It is important to clean all clothes before storage. Using mothballs is a good idea.
Books and documents
Pack books flat to protect the binding and spine. Use packing to fill out empty pockets in the boxes. Do not pack fragile items in the same box with books, and do not overload. Books are also surprisingly heavy, so use smaller boxes. Be sure not to place fragile objects in the same box with your books.
File boxes are best for document storage.
Dishes and glasses
Place a layer of packing inside the bottom and at the top of boxes containing glassware. All glass items should be individually wrapped; nest cups and bowls, and stand plates, saucers, and platters on edge. Wrapped glasses should be placed near the top of cartons. Fill all pockets with packing. Label all boxes containing glassware, and do not place heavy items on boxes containing glassware.
Electrical equipment
All equipment should be clean and dry. Any equipment with doors that seal, such as a refrigerator, should be stored with its door slightly ajar.
Furniture
To save space, stand sofas and mattresses on end, be sure to protect them with plastic sheets on the floor first. Disassemble beds, tables, and other furniture and wrap table legs in paper or bubble wrap. Use dresser drawers for linens or small, delicate items. Most lightweight chairs can be stacked “seat to seat” or placed upside down on tables that cannot be disassembled. Use paper pads when stacking to avoid scratching.
Other furniture with drawers can be utilized as storage places for small pictures, china, silverware, small items, etc. Wrap them in tablecloths, towels, or blankets to prevent breakage.
Utilize the drawer space to store small, soft, delicate and fragile items. Be sure to label the contents. Cartons can be stacked on top of dressers
Do not place heavy or sharp objects on top of upholstered furniture. Cover stuffed furniture to protect against dust.
Locks
Padlocks are available at A1 Storage. Only you have the key to your storage space. U-Store It, U-Lock it and U keep the key. Always use a good quality lock on your door.
Mirrors, pictures, windows, and screens
These items should be marked “Fragile” and stored on edge, not flat.
Planning
Plan your storage space. Arrange the space so that frequently needed items are at the front of the unit. Leave a walkway to the rear of your space for easy access. Use all the space available, including the height, which is a major advantage at A1 Storage.
Records and phonographs
Records should be stored on edge to avoid warping. When moving a record player, the tone arm and turntable should be secured to prevent damage in transit.
Tables
Where possible, remove the legs, and wrap in bubble wrap. Place the nuts, bolts and screws in a small zip lock bag. Tape the bag on the inside or bottom of the furniture to keep all pieces together.
Prohibited Storage Goods
Common sense and Provincial law determine what may not be stored. Never store live animals, perishables, liquids, explosives, propane tanks, flammable liquids and fuels, toxic materials, or other items that need a controlled environment. Remember to drain the fuel from gasoline engines before storage.
Never store live animals, any food or perishables, or liquids.
Sofas and loveseats
These items (but not sofa beds) can be stored on end to save floor space. Again, be sure to protect the material by placing plastic on the floor first. Cushions should be wrapped in plastic and placed on top. Don’t store boxes on top of couches