There are many different scenarios where people may need to store their belongings for a long period. Maybe you have family heirlooms that don’t have a place in your home right now, or you’re going travelling and need a safe place to store some of your possessions while you are away. Whatever your reasons, determining what to do with your ‘stuff’ while you’re away from home for months (or years) can be stressful.
Our Dorset storage experts have created a helpful guide to take some of your worries away. Read on to find out our top tips for long term storage.
1. Decide how much you have to store
From needing to store your caravan or motorhome over the winter months, storing business paperwork to declutter your office, or storing household items during a renovation project, the team at Hogleaze Storage have got your back. There are a wide range of things that you could put into long term storage, so before you take any steps to prepare, you’ll need to decide how much you have to store, and find the right size unit.
We provide a range of unit sizes allowing you to be able to safely store small household items or household furniture in long term storage, just call our Dorchester team on 01305 889777 or our Weymouth team on 01305 830000 to discuss your needs.
2. Clean your items
Before packing up your items for storage and forgetting all about them for a while, you should give everything a good clean. Remove any batteries from remotes, old toys and anything else you can think of and make sure that everything is dry before storing it away. This will ensure that your items don’t go mouldy while they are packed away.
Our Dorset storage units are weatherproof and kept immaculately clean, so as long as there is no moisture in the items to begin with, they are likely to stay in good condition for when you return.
3. Pack away your items safely
To ensure the safekeeping of your possessions, make sure that you pack everything into new, sturdy packing boxes. Use bubble wrap to protect any valuables in the boxes and seal the box with tape so the box is airtight. Avoid using plastic bags as they can not guarantee safe storage of your things, not to mention their impact on the environment!
We suggest that you label your boxes so that you have an idea what is in each box, making it easier to keep organised.
From boxes, to bubble wrap,tape to labels, everything that you need to safely pack away your belongings can be bought through us at either of our storage facilities. If you are unsure what packaging you may need, drop an email to info@hogleazestorage.co.uk or call our Dorchester team on 01305 889777 or our Weymouth Team on 01305 830000 and we’d be happy to offer our advice.
4. Be strategic with your space
If you’ve got lots of things that need to be put away, the thought of getting started can be intimidating. Although it might seem obvious, we advise that you utilise shelves, racks and boxes as much as possible. By doing this you can make the space organised, keep your items easily accessible and ensure that the use of space is maximised. If you are going to stack boxes ensure they are full, or they may collapse when stacked.
You will also find that labelling your boxes will help here, as that will enable you to position everything in a sensible manner (heavy things at the bottom etc.) as well as then making it easier for you to find things at a later date.
Also, consider the order that you pack your storage unit. If there are any items that you’ll want to collect sooner than others, don’t forget to leave them closer to the entrance.
5. Insurance
One final tip would be to purchase storage insurance which will add an extra layer of safety to your possessions. This, of course, is extra and if you are going to be away for an extended period of time.
Consider the best local storage facility
Our storage units are cost-effective, easily accessible and can cater to your long term needs. We don’t have a maximum length of stay, meaning that you can continue storing your possessions for as long as you like, and be confident that your belongings are in safe hands. Unlike some storage companies, we won’t regularly increase your fee the longer you stay, so you’ll know that you’re getting the best deal in the area.
Get in contact with our storage experts to book your Dorset storage. Just call our Weymouth facility on 01305 830000 or email info@weymouthselfstorage.co.uk, alternatively you can contact our Dorchester branch on 01305 889777 or info@hogleazestorage.co.uk.
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