Renting a Storage Unit? Important tips to keep your belongings safe.

If you’re getting ready to put items into storage for any period of time, there are things you should look for before you rent a portable storage unit to make sure that your furniture, electronics, and other belongings are safe and secure when in storage.

Tip #1: Inspect before you rent. Look for mouse droppings, marks on the concrete from water leaks, or openings that could let in birds or rodents. Storage-On-Site portable storage units are dry, secure, and made of quality materials to keep your belongings dry during storage.

Tip #2: Cover furniture sheets or old blankets to keep the dust down, but allow air to circulate. Vacuum upholstered pieces. Make sure everything is completely dry before storing.

Tip #3: Don’t stack items on top of upholstered furniture, or the dented foam filling might not recover.

Tip #4: If you’re storing clothing, wash and dry thoroughly. Same for comforters and pillows.

Tip #5: Power equipment, appliances: empty all fuel, clean thoroughly. Any bits of food, dead grass, etc. will decompose or evaporate, leaving an odor in everything in the unit. Wipe off any grease.

Tip #6: Don’t use newspaper to wrap anything. The dye rubs off, and will damage dishes and decor items stored that long. First wrap stuff in unprinted paper or even cheap paper towels, and use the newsprint just to fill the edges.

Finally, use your desks, tables and bookshelves wisely. Stack boxes against a wall, then use a bookcase to steady the stack. Take the legs off tables and store the pieces vertically, since they won’t support the weight of all the stuff you will be tempted to pile on top