Try To Avoid These Errors When You Put Items Into Storage
Access to a storage unit can free up storage space inside your home and help to make your life more organized. However, you'll only get the most out of using the unit if you avoid making a series of common mistakes. In many cases, an investment of a little extra time and effort when you load the storage unit will make each subsequent visit pleasant instead of arduous. Here are some errors that you should try to avoid making.
Failing To Identify What's Inside Each Box
A storage unit is often filled with personal possessions that are loaded into a number of boxes. Even if you're in a rush to fill your boxes and transport them to your unit—for example, when you're moving or renovating—it's in your best interest to take the time to identify the contents of each box. Use a permanent marker and write down each item on the exterior of the box as you load it. This time investment now is time well spent; when you return to the storage unit to retrieve a specific item, you'll be able to read the itemized lists on the boxes until you find what you're looking for.
Not Grouping Similar Items Together
When you load the boxes that you'll be moving into storage, it's generally a good idea to group similar things together. This approach can especially be helpful if you inadvertently fail to list the contents of a box on its exterior. For example, if you keep all your old family photo albums together, rather than adding a random album to a random box, you'll have a higher probability of tracking down the album that you want within a reasonable amount of time.
Not Adequately Protecting Fragile Items
Self-storage is ideal, in part, because fragile items will be out of the way and less likely to be damaged. Conversely, keeping fragile items in your basement, for example, could lead to them being damaged when your children play in the space. However, it's important that you don't skip the important step of protecting your fragile items. Even though they'll be stationary in the storage unit, you'll occasionally need to move things around when you're looking for something—and you want to ensure that any jostling doesn't cause something to break. Wrapping fragile items in such things as bubble wrap or old linens, as well as clearly identifying boxes with fragile items, is integral.
For more information on storage units, contact a company like Pearl Street Self Storage.