Packing for Mini Storage: 10 Tips, Tricks & Tactics

1. Pack books, tools, hardware, and other heavy items in smaller boxes, and keep the weight of each box under 30 pounds.

2. Use boxes of uniform size to make storing them easier. Also, try to pack each box tightly, without overpacking or underpacking it. If a box is underpacked, it may collapse, whereas if a box is overpacked, it may wobble, tip, or even wind up crushing the items within.

3. Make sure to clean and dry all appliances, and make sure any appliance doors are wedged open while they're in mini storage to allow air to circulate within and to help prevent mold and mildew formation.

4. Tightly pack any boxes filled with pottery, antiques, ceramics, or other fragile items with wadded paper, towels, or packing peanuts.

5. Place items you will use most often near the door of your mini storage unit, and store expensive belongings in unmarked boxes toward the rear of the room.

6. Wrap small, fragile items like knick-knacks in towels or paper and then store them in drawers to maximize space.

7. To maximize your mini storage space, remove the legs from any tables, and disassemble entertainment centers and unoccupied bookcases.

8. Wipe a thin layer of machine oil on the surfaces of bikes, tools, lawn equipment, and other metal items to help prevent rust formation.

9. While you should lightly wrap items like electronics, clothing, books, and ceramics with a sheet, avoid placing them within sealed plastic bags, which can trap moisture and encourage mold and mildew growth.

10. Hang clothing and curtains in wardrobe boxes containing moth balls.

Be sure to use a steel padlock to ensure that your items will remain safe and secure in their mini storage unit and always keep at least two copies of the key in safe, separate locations. If you have any insurance on your items (which is highly recommended!), be sure to keep proof of the policy in a secure place away from the mini storage unit.