Advice
Getting the most out of long-term storage
Anything beyond three months counts as long term. A few things we have learned over twenty years.
Packing
Avoid plastic bags
Plastic looks protective but traps humidity and moisture, which speeds up mould. Boxes breathe.
Buy sturdy boxes, all one size
Boxes of a similar size in good condition stack squarely and are far easier to get at later. We sell packing materials at the office.
Wrap fragile things individually
Bubble wrap or newspaper, and mark the box. Keep those boxes somewhere safe and away from the rest.
Vacuum-seal clothes and fabrics
Vacuum bags protect clothing from damp and take up a fraction of the space.
In the unit
Get everything off the floor
Pallets under boxes and furniture keep air moving and protect against damage.
Dry and drain appliances first
Fridges and washing machines must be well dried and drained. Wipe interiors down, leave doors ajar and wrap the cords — mould brought in on an appliance spreads.
Wrap the mattress
Mattresses hold a lot of moisture. We sell mattress bags in various sizes.
Use the full height
Sheets over furniture if you are stacking on top, and use the ceiling height — that is the space most people waste.
Before you leave it
A last walk round
Fit your own padlock
You provide and hold the only key. Check it locks properly before you drive off.
Leave yourself a gangway
A narrow path down the middle means you can reach the back without unloading the front.
Label two faces of every box
One label always ends up against a wall. Two means you can read it from wherever you are standing.
Working out what size you need?
Compare every container and indoor room against what you are actually storing.
Where it all goes
Need a hand working out what fits?
Tell us what you are storing and we will tell you the size you need.