Long Term Storage

If you’ve moved to a smaller home but still aren’t quite ready to part with some of your belongings, don’t stress! There are plenty of long-term storage options to free up space in your house while still keeping your precious items safe and secure. However, there are a few steps you should take to prepare your belongings for long-term storage.

Create an Organization System

Before you start, you should take inventory and develop a system to label all of your things. You’d be surprised at how quickly things can get lost in even the smallest storage unit. In order to make it easier to retrieve your belongings from storage, you should pack all of the things you would use most frequently in the front of the unit. For example, seasonal décor should be easier to access than the old dresser you never plan to use. 

Disassemble Large Items

If you want to make the most of your storage space and also protect your larger items from damage, you should take the time to disassemble them. By taking apart your old bookshelf, you can make it more compact, and you don’t have to worry about it getting knocked over. Just make sure that you clearly label all of the parts and keep the screws in a bag attached to one the larger pieces so that you can put it back together again someday.

Gather Good Packing Materials

Another great tip to keep in mind is to purchase or gather good packing materials so that you can keep your items safe, clean, and dry in your household storage unit. Some good examples include airtight containers, vacuum-sealed bag, and quality paper and packing peanuts. By investing in the right materials, you can help keep all of your valuable items in great condition.

Carefully Pack Clean and Dry Items

After you acquire the necessary materials, you should clean and dry each item before you pack it. The last thing you want is for your clothes, books, or other items to collect mold. Even one moldy object could lead to serious damage throughout your entire unit. It only takes a minute to wipe down your furniture with soap and water before setting it out to dry. If you can dry it in the sunlight, that’s even better!

Use Bug Repellent

Lastly, you should go to the store and purchase some insect repellent. It’s not uncommon for insects to find their way into your storage unit where they can destroy your belongings by eating holes in clothes or furniture. They can also build nests within your furniture, which could cause a mess in your home after you retrieve them from storage. All of this can be avoided, however, with some basic insect repellents!

Once you have your items prepared, we encourage you to come to Quality Moving & Storage for our Smithtown long-term storage solutions. You can call to find out more about our secure warehouse facilities or fill out our online form to request a free, no-obligation estimate.