Storing Your Household Belongings
At Giant Storage we’re proud to offer the best new containers around at a fraction of our competitor’s costs. When it comes to storing household belongings you can’t put enough value on security and our secure gated yards in Salisbury, Amesbury, Crewkerne, Yeovil, Warminster, Frome and Fordingbridge are perfect for both your self-storage needs and your peace of mind.
Securing a professional, quality storage container is just the first step in packing up your belongings. Whether large furniture pieces or delicate sentimental items – we have all the answers with some FAQs on storing your household belongings.
What size container do I need?
Giant Storage has a range of self-storage containers to suit your needs. Our containers start at 85 cubic feet, ideal for storing small personal items safely out of the way, right the way up to 2390 cubic feet, perfect for a large house move. If you’re having a room re-decorated and need to clear the space – then why not use one of our 250-square-foot containers to store your possessions?
Moving house, re-decorating, or just having a general re-shuffle is a stressful time – and clutter makes that worse. Keeping your things out of harm’s way will make things easier for you while lifting some of the pressure so you can focus on the next task at hand.
Is there anything I can’t put in a self-storage container?
A self-storage container is all about you: things you need to be kept safe, things you need out of the way, and things you can’t fit in your new place just yet. But there are a few items we do not recommend storing in your container. This list may seem a bit obvious, but this is about protecting you and your possessions – so it’s worth bearing in mind the following items best kept out of your self-storage container:
- Animals
This one goes without saying – but don’t try and store any pets! - Food and perishables
Even things with a long shelf life can give you a nasty surprise when you come to access your belongings in a few months’ time. Not only are you putting your container at risk of developing mould, but you’re also inviting in vermin and other pests – so keep them out of your container! - Firearms and explosives
Firearms can’t be legally stored at a storage facility, including ours! Explosives are a safety risk and have the potential to damage our containers, not to mention your things, so please don’t put them in your self-storage container. - Chemicals
Anything corrosive that could leak and damage your other stored possessions as well as the container itself are best stored elsewhere!
Can I store plants in my self-storage container?
You wouldn’t usually want to store plants in a self-storage container, especially when you can’t have regular access or aren’t in the area. But luckily for you there is a solution! If you have plants that need to be kept safely out of the way during a move, then give us a call. We have a plant storage and watering service at our secure storage yards so your beloved greenery will be well taken care of while you get on with your house move.
Do I have to take apart my furniture?
Taking apart your furniture can make a big difference when it comes to storage. We understand that disassembly isn’t always possible, but we recommend this crucial step to make the most of the space in your storage container. Still not convinced? Here are some reasons you should consider taking apart your furniture for storage.
- It becomes easier to transport
- Your favourite pieces are less likely to be damaged
- They will take up less space in the removals van and in the storage container
- Taking furniture apart is a great opportunity to give it a really good clean, ready for your new home.
A top tip for furniture disassembly: keep all the nuts, bolts, and screws from each piece in a bag and attach them to the piece of furniture they came from. It’s all too easy during a move to lose that one crucial part of your prized writing desk – so keep everything collected together and stored somewhere safe! Larger pieces like table legs can be stored in a carefully labelled box read for reassembly at the other end.
How should I store my furniture?
Different types of furniture need to be stored in different ways. Our professional service at Giant Storage will help you work out how best to store your furniture – but in the meantime here’s a quick guide on storing different items.
- If you can, take your furniture apart before moving. Keep any parts safe and take photos of the disassembly process to help you put everything back together later.
- Make sure any drawers in desks, wardrobe, and cupboards are empty to keep the weight down
- Clean everything! You’ll be grateful for this once you’re settled in your new place with lovely clean furniture.
- Anything made of wood, or another fragile material, should be carefully wrapped to avoid scratches and other damage. Think about picking up some corner protectors to make sure your pieces arrive in one piece with minimal damage.
- Upholstered furniture, like sofas, should be wrapped in plastic to keep out any damp. Adding a layer of thicker padding over this will stop any ruptures and keep everything safe during the removal process.
How should I store appliances?
Now we’ve covered furniture – what about appliances?
- Drain water out of large appliances, like washing machines and dishwashers, and stash any external parts inside the appliance itself so essential parts don’t get lost.
- Wrap small appliances in padding and put them in boxes. Fill the space with extra padding to stop them from moving around and getting damaged.
- Remove the glass plate from inside your microwave, wrap it, and store it in a box alongside your other small appliances.
- Clean your television before wrapping it in bubble wrap to protect the screen. Once at the storage container, always store it standing upright to prevent damage to the display.
Any tips on packing a storage container?
Now you’re all packed and ready to go – it’s time to think about how you should fill your storage container. Make your life easier by following these 3 rules for packing a self-storage container.
- Large furniture pieces and large boxes should go around the edges of the walls, and where it is safe to do so, stack them high to make full use of the space.
- Fill in gaps with smaller items and then build inwards, being careful to leave walking space for easy access later on.
- Keep anything you may need aside until everything else is in, then put these items near the door. It will save you a lot of effort in future if you aren’t digging around in the back of the container for something you need unexpectedly!
Storing your belongings can be a stressful process – but with the help of experienced professionals and a little know-how, you’ll find storage a breeze. Give us a call today and see how Salisbury Storage can help you with our Wiltshire self-storage yards.