Access Self Store

Storage Tips

What you store is your business; how you store it is ours

Whether you are a beginner or a self-storing pro, planning ahead and following some basic tips will reduce the risk of damage and make it easier to access your belongings while they are in storage.

Take it One Step at a time

Step 1: What do you need to store?
Make a list. Review our space options and estimations or contact us to determine the size and type of storage you need

Step 2: How long do you need to store it?
Month-to-month and long-term storage options are available

Step 3: Reserve your unit.
Contact us to reserve your unit.

Other Considerations: Legal and safety regulations prohibit drug paraphernalia; illicit drugs or illicit drug components; live animals; or “red label” flammable substances. Self-storage units are not intended to be temporary housing for people or pets.

General Packing Tips:

  • Keep an inventory.
  • Label boxes on more than one side with a general description (“KITCHEN”: utensils, pots & pans, storage containers”)
  • Make sure everything is airtight.
  • Crumpled newspapers can be used as fillers. Newspaper Ink may bleed onto documents, photos, fabrics, and ceramics.
  • If possible, use same-sized boxes for easier stacking
  • Seal boxes with packing tape to prevent dust from settling inside
  • Do not over pack or under pack boxes
  • Bulging cartons tip, half-full boxes collapse

Packing Specific Items:

Mirrors / Artwork covered by glass:

  • Criss-cross glass with tape. Pad item with paper
  • Consider using special mirror packaging or boxes
  • Store vertically (not flat)

Books:

  • Stack books flat and alternate spine side/page side to preserve spines
  • Place acid-free paper between each cover to prevent sticking or ink bleed from one cover onto another

Newspapers, letters, documents:

  • Minimize folds
  • Place acid-free tissue paper between pages. Store in acid-free boxes

Photographs:

  • Place between two pieces of acid free board and tape together to prevent curling

China / Dishes:

  • Reinforce box corners and seams
  • Pad the bottom of the box, and save room at the top for additional padding
  • Wrap each piece individually with protective wrap. Tape.
  • Place heavier items in the bottom of the box
  • Stack plates on end and place stemware rim-down

Clothing, Blankets, Linens, and Draperies:

  • Clean and dry according to manufacturer instructions
  • Purchase a wardrobe box for hanging storage
  • Use white tissue paper between fabric folds
  • Quilts: When possible, roll quilts, placing unbleached muslin between layers. Use an acid-free box or wrap completely in muslin and store on a shelf with good air circulation

Appliances:

  • Washing machine: run a full cycle (empty) with water and 1 cup of regular bleach or white vinegar
  • Dishwasher: Add white vinegar to detergent bin and run a full cycle (empty)
  • All appliances: Degrease, clean and dry appliance, inside and out.
  • Secure all moveable parts
  • Wrap shelving / racks with protective wrap
  • Tape doors shut to haul; wedge doors open to store

Furniture:

  • Cover mattresses and store flat
  • Remove table legs and disassemble bed frames to save space
  • Wrap furniture legs with protective wrap or pads
  • Place furniture hardware in a zip-lock bag and tape to underside of furniture
  • Store small items in empty spaces in furniture or appliances
  • Stack dressers/tables top-to-top to save space
  • Protect tabletops and upholstered furniture with covers or pads

Musical instruments:

  • Disassemble and clean, remove reeds and mouthpieces
  • Relax the strings on stringed instruments, cover strings with cloth
  • Store in original case
  • Pianos: place a sheet over the keyboard to limit dust

Small engine yard equipment and toys:

  • Clean surfaces, drain gasoline and oil

Yard tools:

  • Clean and dry shovels, rakes, hoes.
  • Apply a light coat of machine oil to metal surfaces to prevent rust.
  • Store long handled tools in a trash can to keep them from falling
  • Empty water from hoses, roll gently to remove kinks, remove nozzles

As you transport your belongings and load your storage unit:

  • Place least needed items nearest to the opening of the truck or vehicle; these will go into the back of the storage unit.
  • Leave a walkway in the center of your storage unit
  • Put heavy items down low; place fragile items on top
  • Leave air space between the item/box and the walls
  • Use pallets or install shelves to allow air circulation around and under boxes