How to prepare items for long-term storage
Regardless of the reason you are storing items long-term, you will need to prepare them properly and rent the right unit. The best movers in Chicago can help you find the right storage unit for your needs. You want to keep your items safe during storage and have them come out in the same condition you stored them in. Don’t be in a rush to store your items. Maybe you can loan some items to friends and family. This will save you the effort of preparing them for storage. But, once you have decided to store your items, you will need to take the following three steps:
- Decide which items you will store
- Choose the right unit
- Prepare items for long-term storage
Decide Which Items You Will Store Long-Term
Regardless of why you are storing the items, try to store the minimal amount necessary. Storage space costs money, and the longer you store, the more you will pay. If you are storing easily damageable goods like furniture or electronics, you should get a climate-controlled unit. These units cost more money than regular ones, but are well worth the investment. Check out storage Skokie for the best prices on climate-controlled storage units. The first step in preparing items for long term storage is to get rid of anything you don’t need. Organize a yard sale or give some items to charity. You likely have clothes that you will not wear again and only take up space. Get rid of them. That old couch that you kept from your college days? You don’t need it. Give it to someone who does. The fewer items you have, the less storage space you will need. The cost will go down proportionally.
Choose the Right Storage Unit
Once you figure out what you will store, you need to find the right storage unit. The first thing you need to figure out is which size the unit should be. Try to find a unit that is a bit bigger than you need. If you pack and organize properly, you may be able to save space, but better to be safe than sorry. In case the unit ends up being too small you will have to rent another unit. You can’t rent just a few feet of a storage unit, but need to get the whole thing. Paying for an additional unit for storing items long-term is fiscally irresponsible. Get a unit that you are sure will fit all of your items. Next, decide whether you will get a climate-controlled unit or not. If you are storing expensive items that are easily damaged, pay extra for a CC unit. It will keep your items safe and save you money in the long run.
Preparing Items for Long-Term Storage
Furniture is expensive, so you should take care to store it properly. Clean it thoroughly and apply a layer of polish. This will slow the advance of mold and mildew. Cover the upholstery with white sheets. Otherwise, the color from the sheets may bleed onto it. Once you are done preparing items for long-term storage, contact furniture movers Chicago to move the furniture safely. You should clean any other items you will be storing. Pack them in boxes that you will line bubble rap. Make sure to pack the boxes with filling materials. The better you prepare your items, the less likely they are to be damaged during storage!