Storage tips

Use our storage tips to help get yourself organised and make moving easier!

Moving can be a stressful time for everyone involved, and it is important to plan ahead to ensure the best result for everyone. By spending some extra time up front, you will save yourself a lot of time in the long run.

Leading up to and on the day of moving, make the best use of your time by downloading and printing our Sunshine Self Storage moving tips checklist. In the meantime, here are some handy hints:

• It is important to plan ahead. When storing, keep the most frequently used items at the front of your container where you can get at them easily.
• Make a simple map of your container on a sheet of paper and attach it to the wall so you know where everything is.
• Cover up your items, particularly furniture. These can be covered with sheets, and mattresses can be covered with plastic sheeting.
• Make best use of your storage area by stacking to the ceiling, working from heaviest items on the bottom to lightest items on top.
• Use spaces in furniture to store other items. For example use your refrigerator or other appliances to store things like linens – even books or CDs. Wedge the door of any appliances open so air can circulate inside them.
• Leave a little space between the walls of your container and your stored items to allow for ventilation.
• Shovels, hoes, rakes and hoses can be stored together in empty trash cans. Stack extra cans inside one another.
• If you’re storing a petrol-powered lawnmower or leaf blower, prevent unpleasant odours by draining the tank before you put it in your container.

These things will really help you to be organised on the day and ensure that you make the best use of your time.

Still not clear? Download our special Moving House Checklist - just click on the image below to do this now...

SIDENOTE - Remember the fun!

While you might not enjoy it on the day, moving is a memorable occasion in your life, particularly if you have children. Don't forget to take a few photo's on the day, so you can look back and remember wheat thew big event was all about!

When it comes to packing your items for storage, there are some important things to remember. You should think about some of the following things:

• Be prepared. Gather all the materials and supplies you need before you start: boxes, tape, packing materials, markers, furniture covers and so on.
• Label, label, label. Mark every box with its contents, and keep a written inventory as you pack.
• Take care. Pack small things carefully into boxes with appropriate packing materials. Resist the temptation to toss things into a rubbish bag; they risk damage from knocks or bumps and mildew from lack of ventilation.
• If you combine different weights of items in one box, always put the heavier things on the bottom and mark the box “this side up.”
• Don’t overload. Packed boxes should only weigh as much as you can lift without straining – for most people, less than 20 kilograms.
• Make sure all your packed boxes are securely sealed with packing tape, with the tops flat (to make it easier to stack them).
• Disassemble bed frames and tie them together with tape or rope. Use small plastic bags to store screws and bolts and tape them to the frame that they belong to.

Furniture

• Furniture shouldn't be placed directly on the floor, use plastic or material to cushion heavy items.
• Stack chairs seat to the seat with cloth or paper separating them.
• Place a cover over all furniture, especially sofa's, recliners and anything of value.
• Mattresses should be covered and stood on their end to maximise space.

Breakables/Glassware

• Wrap all breakable items separately in tissue or packing paper, box and ensure they are marked "Fragile".
• Pack breakables in strongboxes, so that they are well protected.
• Use packing material at the top and bottom of boxes for added protection.
• Empty space should be filled with packing paper.
• Ensure you haven't stacked heavy items on top of cartons containing breakables.

Electronic Equipment

• Ensure all electronic equipment is clean and dry before storing.
• Sensitive equipment is best stored in the manufacturers packaging or other suitable cartons.
• If storing a refrigerator or freezer, leave the door slightly open

Clothes

• It is best to store clothing and other materials in wardrobe cartons to protect them.
• Use naphthalene or mothballs.

Metal Items

• In order to help prevent metal items such as tools from rusting, wipe the item with a few drops of oil before storing them away.
• Pack these items away from goods that may be stained such as furniture.

Of course you may do all of these things and still not enjoy it all! In fact we can just about guarantee that there will be some hassles in moving, but by taking the above information into account you can at least be assured you have done everything possible to make your move go as smoothly as possible.

Also remember that you need to purchase a padlock for your shipping container. Click here to find out what the best padlocks are to buy and where the best place is to put them on your storage container.

Member number 51399 of the Self Storage Association

Sunshine Self Storage is a full member of the Self Storage Association of Australasia (SSAA) and have been since 2004! Our Membership Number is 51399 and our current membership certificate is show below.

You can see all our membership certificates since 2004 here.

The SSAA is the Industry Association for Self Storage in Australia and New Zealand. You should never book self storage with any company that is not a member of this group. The SSAA provides legal protection for storers and self storage owners and ensures that every transaction is fair and equitable.