- How To Pack Like A Pro
- How To Protect Your Belongings
- How To Archive Your Files
- How To Choose The Right Unit Size
- How To Get All Your Stuff In A Unit
- How To Easily Find What You Need
- How To Protect Your Stored Tires
- How To Protect Your Stored Artwork
- How To Know If You Need A Climate Controlled Unit
- How To Know What Not To Store
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How To Pack Like A Pro
If packing your belongings in boxes, wrap fragile items individually, tip bowls on their sides and avoid stacking heavy items. Store papers in file boxes or other small boxes and pack heavy books flat in smaller boxes. With both fragile items and books, fill empty spaces with old paper to avoid contents shifting in transit. Consider investing in good quality boxes – they’re sturdier than the free ones at the grocery store and are a consistent size, which is easier for stacking. Consider also using wardrobe boxes with rods for hanging clothes. Need some boxes? We can help you out. See our Moving Supplies page for more details
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How To Protect Your Belongings
Cover your belongings with old blankets, sheets or our mattress covers to keep off dust. Rub bikes and tools with a few drops of oil to prevent rusting and store them away from furniture to avoid stains. Don’t forget to raise sensitive items off the floor.
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How To Archive Your Files
Ensure that all of your business documents and records are dry and in good condition; any moisture can cause mildew. Place fragile files, photographs and blueprints in durable plastic sleeves and then place everything into sturdy, high-quality bankers or archive boxes. Clearly label every box and consider organizing and packing boxes according to year or document type.
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How To Choose The Right Unit Size
Make a complete list of what you need to store and group the items on your list according to how you want to organize them (by weight, fragility, frequency of which you’ll need access, etc.) inside the storage unit. Then visit the self storage facility to get a clear understanding of the size of the units. Our staff can also help you figure out how best to meet your needs or see our Size Guide page.
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How To Get All Your Stuff In A Unit
Maximize your space by making the most of the height of the unit. Store couches on their end, install adjustable shelving for stacking boxes and stack lighter boxes on top of heavier ones. Also, disassemble beds, tables and other bulky pieces of furniture and use the space inside and under other items for storing boxes.
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How To Easily Find What You Need
Clearly label the contents of your boxes for easy reference, store the items that you’re most likely to need at the front of the unit for easy access, and consider leaving a cleared centre aisle in your unit. Some customers also find it convenient to book a slightly larger unit than needed so that they can better arrange their belongings.
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How To Protect Your Stored Tires
To minimize tire aging in storage, give them a good clean and make sure they’re completely dry. Then, seal each one in their own plastic bag and choose a climate controlled storage unit. Finally, avoid resting the tires on their treads because they will wear even without the vehicle’s weight. Stack them instead.
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How To Protect Your Stored Artwork
Securely protect valuable artwork by covering the edges with cardboard and wrapping in acid-free paper. Store upright in a climate controlled unit to maintain proper preservation.
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How To Know If You Need A Climate Controlled Unit
Some items need extra care when in storage – especially in regions with extreme cold or extreme heat. Before renting, consider the seasons you’ll be storing your stuff. Then think about what you’ll be storing. Consider a climate controlled unit if you’re storing collectibles (such as antiques, artwork and wine), electronics, books, family heirlooms, media, photo albums, off-season tires and other sensitive materials (such as leather).
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How To Know What Not To Store
In Canada, there are certain items that aren’t allowed inside a self storage unit. They include hazardous and toxic chemicals, flammable items – such as aerosol cans, gasoline and kerosene – and perishable food items. This is, of course, above and beyond items that are illegal in the first place.