Moving House - Hints & Tips

Moving House  –  Hints & Tips

By Mark Dodd

Manager - Storage King Cleveland

Moving house is never a fun task, it can be extremely stressful. If you have had the unfortunate task of moving house, I’m sure once you’ve completed, you have uttered the words “Never Again”. Unfortunately we don’t all have the luxury of staying in the same place forever, so if you find yourself needing Self Storage, there are certain things that can be done to minimise stress.

Renting a storage unit seems like a pretty simple job. You rent a unit and pack your belongings, but self-storage isn’t that simple. We recommend that you take your time and pick the best self-storage facility which is convenient and will suit your needs. The staff at Storage King are trained to ensure the guess work is taken out of Storing.

SELECTING THE RIGHT STORAGE FACILITY

Do you know which size will suit you? At Storage King our staff are trained professionals who can tailor a storage solution to ensure that your items are in the correct sized storage unit. There is no point throwing money away on a unit that is larger than you require.

Location, Location, Location... It’s important to think about logistics when moving to your new house or business and where you are moving from. Will you need to access the unit often? And remember if accessing your goods frequently, you won’t want to be making long journeys.

Ensure you are leaving your goods with a reputable company. Any company that displays the SSAA logo means that it complies with the industry’s recognised best practices.

Security is extremely important. Is there a security fence, surveillance system and round the clock security? Be reassured that you belongings are safe, secure and being well looked after.

PACKING YOUR BELONGINGS

Packing your belongings properly will save you time and also ensure your goods are maintained in the best possible condition. You can find a huge range of packing supplies at any local Storage King.

Furniture

• Don't move wardrobes, drawers etc while full, you can break them. Only fill them when they are in place and fully assembled.
• Clothing and personal goods should be packed in strong secure cartons.
• Where possible remove the legs from items of furniture e.g. bed bases, tables etc. to avoid damage and save space.
• Vacuum food crumbs from lounges to prevent attracting vermin.
• Furniture shouldn't be placed directly on the floor, use plastic or material to cushion heavy items.
• Stack chairs seat to seat with cloth or paper separating them.
• Place a cover over all furniture, especially sofa's, recliners and anything of value.

  

Metal Items

• To minimise rust in metal items such as tools, wipe the item with a few drops of oil before storing them away.
• Pack these items away from goods that may be stained such as furniture.
• Wrapping silver in NON ACID tissue paper or plastic bags can help reduce tarnishing.

White goods

• Make sure all white goods (fridges, freezers etc) are empty, clean and dry before storing.
• Leave doors slightly ajar to prevent mould build up (A piece of cardboard works great)
• A deodoriser placed inside fridges or freezers is also a good idea to maintain freshness.
• If you pack items inside your fridges and freezers you run the risk of scratching the insides, it’s recommended to leave them empty.

Glass and Breakables

• Wrap all breakable items separately in tissue or packing paper, box and ensure they are marked "Fragile". (Do NOT wrap in newspaper, the ink will transfer to the glassware and breakables)
• Pack breakables in sturdy boxes.
• Protect fragile items by wrapping them individually in packing paper
• Place packing in the top and bottom of cartons for added protection.
• Place plates, saucers and bowls on their sides to prevent any breakage.
• Empty space should be filled with packing paper.
• Ensure you haven't stacked heavy items on top of cartons containing breakables.
• Pictures and mirrors should be wrapped in cardboard or proper picture/mirror cartons.

Electronic Items

• If the original boxes are not available talk to your local Storage King about boxes specifically for electronic items.
• Ensure all electronic equipment is clean and dry before storing.
• Ensure that items above or on top of electronic equipment will not fall down or damage the surfaces.
• If storing a refrigerator or freezer, be sure that the item is thoroughly dry and clean to prevent moisture and mildew from damaging any of your valuables. Store with the door slightly ajar.