Safety Tips When Packing A Portable Self Storage Unit

• Invest in good quality sturdy boxes and packing materials - box strength degrades with use. If you buy boxes of similar sizes it'll be easier to stack them securely in the self-storage facility and will save you space. It will also be easier and safer to load these items.
• Fill boxes to capacity wherever possible to avoid breakages but avoid making them too heavy - remember you'll have to lift them! You can use materials such as paper or towels or can buy special packing to fill spaces if necessary. You might be stacking boxes on top of each other and the lower levels need to be sturdy enough to take the strain. Boxes that are only partly filled may tip over or collapse and are more difficult to carry.
• Label all boxes clearly so you can identify the contents and keep an inventory. Label them on more than one side so you can see what's what quickly. Mark 'Fragile' on any boxes containing breakable items. This will alert the person lifting the box that it may be difficult and awkward to carry.
• Don't be tempted to fill large boxes with heavy items such as books as they'll quickly become impossible to carry and may break. You can buy small book boxes from Mobile Storage Services that will do the job just as well. If you do pack heavy items in a large box put in a few and then fill the box up with lighter items. Think about your safety – don’t try to lift anything too heavy.
• Bring along trolleys to carry heavy boxes
• Don't store wet items in a Mobile Self Storage unit as they can cause water damage, mould and mildew. They will become too heavy and you will not be able to lift them.
• Large appliances need care before placing in a Mobile Storage trailer - make sure you defrost fridges and freezers thoroughly before storing them otherwise you'll be leaving yourself open to water damage. Tie doors up for the move, although you should leave them slightly ajar once in storage to stop condensation forming and help ward off bad odours. Drain washing machines before storing them and tie down hoses etc. Appliances should be clean and dry..
• Wrap all fragile items and breakables such as dishes, glasses, ornaments etc separately. Paper will do but bubble wrap is a good investment. Pack them tightly into strong boxes, filling any gaps with paper or filler. Try to avoid putting heavy items on top of fragile ones in a self-storage facility… it is all too easy to get cuts and grazes from broken or chipped glassware.
• For the best protection for mirrors and pictures in a Mobile Storage Unit, wrap them in a protective covering such as bubble wrap and stack them on their ends. Mirrors and pictures should never be stored flat. Mark them as 'Fragile'. These items need to be treated with care but please remember to get help when moving large sized items.
• If you're storing upholstered products such as mattresses and sofas in our Mobile Storage trailers it might be a good idea to invest in covers, bags or sheeting to give them some additional protection. Stand sofas and mattresses on end wherever possible to save space and don't stack too much on top of soft furnishings. Mattresses are best stored on the long end and should be ideally raised above floor level or laid on protective sheeting. Remember that these items can be heavy and you need to take care when lifting onto the Mobile Storage Unit.
• If you're storing a few items of furniture on top of each other a simple dust sheet or cover placed between items will minimize scratching and damage in a self-storage facility. Mobile Storage Services can help you source you storage essentials.
• You'll save space if you can dismantle furniture such as beds and tables before you store it in a Mobile Storage Unit. Wrap and cover furniture sections and keep them together, clearly marked, for quick retrieval. You can put components such as screws and bolts together in a plastic bag, mark them clearly and tape to the relevant piece of furniture. Store large pieces of furniture vertically to save space in the facility. Personal safety is vital so please call Mobile Storage Services Ltd who will be happy to help you.
• Chairs can be stacked seat to seat to save space. Cover chair legs with protective wrapping for extra protection. Please get help when lifting more than one chair at a time. Remember family and friends will be happy to help with the lifting.
• Electrical equipment such as TVs, stereos and computers should be packed in their original boxes wherever possible. If this isn't possible, pack them into boxes that are about the right size making sure that you use plenty of protective wrapping.
• Think creatively and you'll make more space. Plan to use furniture drawers as an extra box (they are especially good for fragile items) and you can use the inside of wardrobes to store boxes. Kitchen appliances such as stoves and fridges can also be used in this way. Make sure you have plenty of help when moving household items.

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