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Properly stored items will hold up much
better in storage than items not stored properly. |
Here are a variety of storage suggestions
that we think you’ll
find helpful. Click
here for MINI-STORAGE tips
Click here for RV &
BOAT storage tips
Preparing Items for Storage
- Place all smaller items in
uniformly sized boxes. Completely fill each box with
heavier items on the bottom and lighter items on the top.
Uniformly sized boxes stack easier and conserve storage space.
- Books. Pack books flat, not
standing on end. This will protect the spines which will bend
and warp over time if stood upright. Books are very heavy, so
pack them in small boxes and don’t put them in boxes with
other, more fragile, items.
- Lawn Mowers. Drain gasoline
and oil from all small engines. This precaution will protect
both your stored property and the property of others from the
dangers of fire and explosion.
- Mattresses. Place mattresses
in plastic covers to protect them from dust and moisture.
- Leather Items. Treat leather
items (couches, clothes, etc.) with a leather conditioner prior
to storing them. Keep furniture items off the floor by placing
them on pallets.
- Blankets, Draperies and Clothing.
Have blankets, draperies and clothing cleaned, then pack them on
hangers in wardrobe boxes.
- Mirrors and Pictures. Store
mirrors and pictures inside similarly sized knocked down boxes.
This affords them protection from scratches and dust.
- Furniture and Tables. Place
blankets over furniture to protect from scratches and dust.
- Photos. Photographs tend to
curl over time. To keep them flat, place between pieces of
cardboard and tape them together. Do not store irreplaceable
photos. Photos and negatives take up very little space. Try to
keep these items with you.
- Breakable Items. Wrap
breakable items inside bubble wrap and store with linens.
- Dishes and Glassware. Store
these items in specially made boxes called dishpacks.
- Pillows and Toys. Store
smaller items like this in large plastic garbage bags.
- Label boxed items. You’ll
know what is in each box without opening it.
- Appliances. Clean and dry all
appliances prior to storage. Do not leave anything inside of
appliances to be stored. Store all appliances upright with doors
ajar to allow ventilation.
- Do not store these items:
Furs, jewelry and other expensive items, irreplaceable items,
any living thing, used tires, firearms, explosives, flammables
of any kind (gas, diesel, oil, paint, etc.), drugs or drug
paraphernalia, stolen items, any type of hazardous items,
perishable items of any kind, hazardous waste materials of any
kind, items that produce odors or any item that will in any way
make other tenants or the manager unhappy.
Organizing your Storage Unit
- Use wooden pallets or boards
underneath furniture and boxes. This will prevent
condensation from damaging them.
- Leave a small airspace between
your stored items and the wall of the storage unit for
ventilation.
- Store items that will not be
needed to the rear of the storage unit and items you will
need access to toward the front of the unit.
- Store heavy items on the bottom
and lightweight items on top.
- Store smaller, more valuable items to the rear
of the storage unit and large items toward the front of the
unit.
- Cover everything with plastic
sheeting. Wooden furniture should first be covered with
blankets to avoid abrasion and moisture damage. Plastic
sheeting will protect your stored goods from both dust and
water damage.
- Pack your storage unit as
tightly as possible. Tighter packing helps to protect stored
items from moisture and dust and reduces the space needed to
store you property.
- Use a high quality disc (round)
padlock to secure your storage unit. This type of lock is
difficult to cut or break and offers maximum protection for
very little money.
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RV & Boat Storage
Tips
The following steps can be taken to protect your RV or boat while in
storage. Additionally, specific procedures recommended by the RV or boat
manufacturer, chassis manufacturer and appliance producers should be closely
considered.
- For the best long term care,
store your vehicle in an area protected from the sun's
harmful rays. A storage unit with a roof is
recommended.
RV
- Review owner's manual for engine, LP gas, generator, water
heater and sanitation system storage tips.
- Remove all perishable food from cabinets.
- Turn off refrigerator, verify all power sources are off by checking 12
volt, 110 volt and LP gas.
- Remove all food from the refrigerator, clean the inside and leave the door
open to ventilate.
- Clean rooftop air conditioner filters and cover the outside unit.
- Clean the interior of the RV, pull shades and close blinds.
- Turn off the propane cylinders and cover the regulator.
- Cover or tape vents to the furnace and range hood for long-term storage.
- Ensure all roof vents and windows are closed. Prevent
condensation if necessary by using chemical-type
dehumidifiers.
- Check tire pressure and cover the tires if they will be exposed to the sun.
- Inspect roof, body, interior, soft molding and caulking.
- Service locks with spray lubricant to prevent rust and freezing.
- Remove batteries, store in an area not subject to freezing and test
periodically; charge if necessary.
- In motorhomes, check all operating fluid levels under the hood and top
off the gasoline tank. Add a fuel stabilizer.
- Empty and thoroughly rinse all holding tanks. In winter, all water
tanks, lines and pumps should be drained and filled with
non-toxic RV antifreeze to keep any remaining water from
freezing the system. (Never use automobile antifreeze of
any kind in your water system!)
Boat
- Prepare your engine in accordance with the owner’s manual. In winter, this will
normally include draining and flushing the cooling system;
draining and refilling the crankcase; applying oil to inside
of each cylinder through the spark plug holes; and other
preservative actions.
- Thoroughly clean the hull, decks, cockpit, bilge, all compartments,
lockers and the exterior of engine and coat with an appropriate wax or preservative.
- Drain fuel lines, pumps, carburetor and tanks or fill completely and add fuel
stabilizer.
- Leave all floorboards up, doors ajar, ports and skylights open, hatches
partly open, drawers and lockers open.
- Carefully fit a well-made cover, provided with ventilation ports. If boat is
to be stored outdoors, make sure there are no low spots in the
cover that will hold rainwater.
- Place a cover over engine. Do not leave the engine exposed to the sun or rain.
- Don't forget the trailer; check tire pressure and cover tires if they will be
exposed to the sun, check and pack wheel hubs if necessary and
lubricate jack.
And finally, note dates of registration, tags, certificates and
insurance, etc. and
plan for renewal if they expire during your storage term.
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