Choosing Boxes and Packing Materials!
Once the decision has been made to put things in storage, the next step is to decide how to pack, arrange and place them correctly. The first step is to select the packing materials you’ll need. Many of us have made the mistake of going to local liquor stores or supermarkets to source for materials, only to discover that they are killing boxes almost as soon as they receive them. If you do happen to find boxes, they are usually not the right sizes, partially damaged or contaminated with insects or food residues.
Buying boxes for storage may look like big expenses at first, but the purchase is definitely worth the investment if it keeps your items safe.
Here are some steps to save money and prevent headaches:
Tips for choosing and using packing materials
- When choosing box sizes, consider not only what they can keep, but if they’re easy to move and transport. Choose smaller boxes for books and heavy objects, and larger boxes for linen and clothing.
- Avoid using newsprint to pack items – the ink may transfer and encourage stains; consider the use of clean, plain wrapping paper or butcher paper, high-quality paper towels or thin foam sheets for cheap items, and felt or bubble wrap for valuable, fragile and delicate items
- Estimate how much tape you need to secure both the bottoms and the tops of boxes (they can be turned upside down or tipped over during travel) and then buy twice as much packing tape (it goes fast)
- Set of dish packages and glass packages are boxes with cardboard dividers and foam bags for easy packing; plastic, dust-lined dish storage containers can be purchased from retailers in department stores
- Fill boxes, but not to the brim. Boxes with loose contents can wobble and shift, and boxes too full can crush the contents when they’re moved. Use peanuts, clothing or towels to fill in these spaces
- Roll shrink films can be purchased to wrap cabinets, appliances, dressers, and desks to keep drawers and doors closed; remove shrink film after moving.
- Mattress protectors and sofa covers are for sale anytime. Sealed plastic covers should not be left for long-term storage because moisture can encourage the growth of molds and mildew. A tarpaulin or sheet is recommended for a storage period of more than a week.
Storage facilities and packaging materials offer a wide variety of packaging materials, boxes, locks, covers and other useful items. Your self-storage facility manager can be an excellent source for creative ideas to solve problems with packaging and moving.