Protecting Personal Items Correctly in Storage: Some Tips
Preventing damage when storing belongings such as clothing, furniture, or paper records, for any length of time is crucial. However, when we store them in a cupboard or attic, we cannot be assured that they will be safe from damage. This is because any dampness in the storage space will cause mould, and pests such as ants or moths can ruin stored items. These are just some considerations to bear in mind when packing and storing stuff, and steps to avoid this kind of damage should be taken.
At Cuboid Self Storage, and across the self storage facilities the company has in multiple locations, our duty is to keep our clients’ goods not only physically secure but also protect them from possible damage while they are in our safekeeping. Our storage conditions are of the highest standard, and we have measures in place to guard stored goods against possible damage from any source.
Unsuspected Damage during Storage?
Dark places like attics, basements, and cupboards which are the usual storage spaces are attractive to various pests, as well as being vulnerable to dampness. Because goods are normally stored undisturbed for long periods, any pest infestation can cause major damage before you become aware of it. It is normally when you unpack these goods that you find holes or mould in the items you have stored.
Therefore, it’s best to choose a self storage unit. At Cuboid self storage pest control is important for us to provide a secure, dry storage facility for our clients.
Unfortunately, much of the risk of infestation comes from goods being brought into a storage unit from outside. Because our units are self-contained, there is very little chance of these pests moving between units, but there are some ways clients can safeguard their own belongings from the damage pests can cause.
We wish to warn clients about bringing in pests with their items for storage. This could happen to those items which are more susceptible to introducing unwanted pests.
Pests are attracted not only to warm dark places, but thrive where there is food, paper, cardboard, or plants. When plants, food or paper are brought into a storage unit, there is always that chance of any of these items may harbour a pest.
How do Pests Cause Damage?
These are some of the pests most likely to cause damage to your stored items.
- Mice and other rodents: These troublesome creatures can cause a lot of damage in a short time. Not only are they prolific breeders, but their chewing through anything also including electric cables, results in a lot of damage.
- Gypsy moths originate outdoors in the surrounding vegetation, especially trees, are known to lay their eggs in spring and their larvae often find their way indoors through cracks and into your belongings. They can cause a great deal of mess in your storage environment if they manage to enter with your packed belongings.
- The frayed edges of books and photos that are found in storage situations are likely to be from fish moths. They just love dark places and are a real pest in the storage environment as they cause damage to books, papers, and photos.
- Ants nest in dark places, are messy and are known to chew wood, so could cause damage to any furniture stored away.
- Mattresses and clothes could contain bed bugs which are known to breed in storage and become a real problem. It could just be a few to start and end up a major infestation as they need little to survive and breed.
The physical structure of the self-storage units is important to ensure that these pests are controlled. Our self-storage units are clean, cool, and dry, and are constructed of steel. We know the danger moisture and heat poses to stored goods, so we provide our clients with a secure environment for the safe self-storage of their possessions.
Importance of Packing Carefully Before Storage
The way goods are prepared for storage and packing is key to successful storage. Here are some guidelines to follow.
- All appliances should be clean and clear of food particles, while furniture must be dusted and clothes clean and dry.
- It’s recommended that a hot wash of clothing or linen materials should be done before being stored to ensure no live pests are in the items. All these items must be dry to avoid mould forming on them. This also applies to shoes to be stored.
- Pack the goods you intend to store into an inner plastic bag before putting them in a box or plastic crate.
- Mothballs, cinnamon sticks, citrus peels, or even soap powder are a good deterrent for pests such as fish moths and other moths.
What Packaging to use for Storage
Cuboid Self Storage recommends the following packaging for keeping your belongings safely in self storage unit or elsewhere.
- Use packaging such as bubble wrap and good quality sealing tape. Take care to pack clothes in plastic covers, while mattresses are best stored in covers designed for the purpose.
- Avoid using cardboard boxes such as the ones from the grocery store. They could be too weak for successful long-term storage as they may collapse or even have pests in them without you noticing.
- If you want to use cardboard boxes, we recommend new double-walled corrugated boxes as being much stronger than used ones.
- Plastic bins on wheels make moving and stacking boxes easier, as well as being pest-proof.
- For storage of documents, clothes, photographs, or paintings, use archival boxes as a secure way of storing these items.
If you need any further advice about packing for storage or packaging, you are welcome to call us.
Packing carefully before loading and storing items is very important for storage. As we are sure that you would like your items to be stored safely, be aware of the consequences of careless packing.
Find us on our website at https://cuboidselfstorage.com/
Or email us at [email protected]
For personal contact, which we much prefer, give us a call on 01257 449070 for any help or advice needed.
We offer self storage in the following locations. Click on the links for more details.
Runcorn, Chorley, Tamworth, Caernarfon, Wrexham, or Watford