Long Term Storage

Did you ever want to travel or live abroad for an extended period of time? Perhaps you have a work opportunity in another part of the country or halfway around the world. But, maybe you are not sure this is a permanent move but rather for a season of two in life. AND, what about all those special things you have accumulated through the years in your home that you don’t really want to part with via an estate sale. I mean, you may want to come back and this life adventure and buy another house and settle back into what the life routine was before.

So, if this is you and you are wondering ‘how do I store my belongings and treasures for safely and securely in a storage unit for a long period of time?’ Macho Self Storage has some valuable Long Term Storage Tips for you.

In a nutshell, you can concisely adhere to these rules, and you can have peace of mind about your items in long term storage:

1. Be sure to clean all your items before packing into boxes and containers.
2. When selecting the storage containers, make sure you select ones that can control airflow and prevent light from damaging or fading contents.
3. If items are upright, be sure to store them in that position.
4. It is a good idea to line the floor of the storage area if you are going to keep your contents stored for a long period of time.
5. If possible, select a climate-controlled unit to help moderate air temperatures through the year.
6. You will thank you self in the months or years later when you return to the unit if you have labeled and organized all your boxes and containers.

All of our Macho Self Storage locations have just the right storage boxes and materials you will need for long term storage. This includes boxes, packing tape, mattress covers, and more.

There are some particular storage precautions to take for specific items you will be storing long term:

Clothing is a common item store for long term. Special attention should be paid in preparing clothes for such a time frame in storage. Proper preparation can help prevent mold, mildew, pest infestations, wrinkles, odors, and other things that might damage your clothing material. Be sure to wash or dry clean your clothes before placing into long term storage. Neatly fold the items and pack in airtight storage bins.

Place desiccant packets inside the bins. For delicate and elegant clothing, it is recommended to store these items in a wardrobe box to prevent permanent wrinkling and other damage. Have you considered how to store men’s dress ties? Ties are a signal of style and personality. Be sure to clean, iron, and roll the ties loosely to store long term. Storage over time works best for ties if they are put in fabric drawer organizers that will keep them dust-free and organized. Reference a previous article of ours: How to properly store clothing for more tips!

If you are one who loves to collect artwork and display it in your home, storage of these valuable items needs to be done with specific precautionary measures in place. Art collectors know canvas paintings and prints are among their most prized possessions and storing these items long term should be done with great care. Canvas is very fragile and susceptible to tears, smudges, and dust collection that can be difficult to remove. It is very important storage space for these items should be in a climate-controlled unit.

Printed photographs continue to be family heirlooms even in this digital age. If possible, make sure the photos are printed on acid-free paper. Pack photos in paper archive boxes, which are proved to be safe containers. We recommend organizing the photos and include notes on acid- free index cards. If you are a book collector or just someone who has accumulated quite an inventory of books over the years, you will want to protect these reading treasures while you are gone for an extended period of time.

Furniture may be the largest number of items you put in long term storage until you return from your “sabbatical” and purchase another home. These are the foundational items of your home, and it is important to properly store these elements for long term storage.

Clean each piece of furniture and disassemble large sections if possible because furniture takes up a lot of space in your storage unit. Do not remove legs on couches and heavy furniture. It is a good idea to line the floor of your storage unit with plastic sheeting as a barrier against any moisture. A climate-controlled until is recommended.

Loosely cover your furniture with cloth, blankets, or loose plastic sheeting. Be sure to place your furniture in the storage unit the way the piece is intended to sit and leave 1-2 inches on each side for air circulation. Although it seems reasonable to stack items on the furniture, do not place heavy items on top as it may cause
damage over the long term storage period. If you are storage mattresses, be sure to clean it before placing inside the storage unit. Many times, mattresses are stored improperly. After cleaning the mattress, wrap it up with a mattress bag or loose plastic sheeting. Store the mattress flat (not on its side!) with adequate room for
airflow. Check out our previous article how to properly store furniture for more tips!

When you select the right size storage unit for your needs and are ready to secure your unit, remember Macho Self Storage offers a FREE LOCK, NO Admin Fees, and 50% off your first month’s rent!