Self Storage Tips

A Week Before You Move

It’s always a good idea to get moving help. Contact people, services, or friends and line up the help you need in advance. Start packing with the moving supplies you’ve purchased from Peninsula Storage Center. It’s best to start with items you’re sure you won’t need before moving day. When you have a chance, feel free to stop by Peninsula Storage Center and put smaller items that fit in your car, into your space.

Packing Suggestions

Major Appliances:

• Washing machine: Remove all the hoses, coil them and store in a small box. Stuff towels or linens inside the tub to keep it from moving and damaging the agitator.
• Dryer: Contact the gas company to disconnect the machine if it’s a gas dryer. Put exhaust hose in the small box with the washing machine hoses. Wrap the dryer/washer with furniture pads to keep the paint from being scratched during the move.
• Refrigerator: Make sure you defrost and towel out the inside of the refrigerator. This will reduce the chance of mildew/mold growing during storage. Pack small lightweight items inside and seal the doors with shrink wrap.
• Small appliances: Toasters, microwaves, coffee makers, and other kitchen utilities, should be packed in their original boxes. If you don’t have the originals, stop by Peninsula Storage Center and pickup a stock of boxes for your move.
• CD players, stereos, and VCRs: Pack them in an upright position, and put each component in a separate carton that is a little larger than the item to be packed. This will allow room for ample padding material.
• TVs: Remember to box them upright in the original boxes. Or ask Peninsula Storage Center for heavy-duty TV boxes if you can’t find the originals. Pack all sides of the TV with Styrofoam peanuts for a cushion between the walls of the box.

Hard-To-Handle Items:

• Bicycles and baby carriages: Cover chains and oily parts with rags to prevent grease stains on other items. Loosen and lower seats and handlebars to reduce the size of these items for easier storage.
• Lamps: Because there are a variety of different size lamps, we have many sizes of boxes available. Again, make sure you have an ample supply of wrapping paper and bubble wrap for each lamp, and then pack them in a box. Box shades individually with plenty of tissue paper for stuffing. Don't use newspaper--it will smudge. Pack light bulbs separately.
• Clothing: Suits, dresses, coats and any clothing that hangs in closets can be hung in storage wardrobe boxes. Pack dressers full for a snug fit. But watch the weight so drawer bottoms don’t loosen or break. Add small, breakable items and pad with clothes. Use shrink wrap to seal drawers, not tape. Tape can remove the finishes of wood furniture.
• Mirrors: We have an adjustable box specifically designed for mirrors and pictures! Of course you will need to carefully wrap each item before you box them. Bubble wrap is the best wrapping material.
• Pets: If you have a moving truck; don’t let pets roam free in the back of the truck. Use a pet carrier if you have one Be sure to have a leash, water container, and food and have your pet’s I.D. on their collars. Some pets require a mild sedative to lesson the trauma of moving; consult your veterinarian.
• Plants: Plastic bags with air holes work for transporting live foliage. If, while moving, you notice the temperature in the truck goes above 85 degrees for a sustained amount of time, stop and open the back door to cool the plants. Make sure the door is sealed properly to retain warmth if it’s below 40 degrees. Don’t forget to make sure your plants are moistened for the trip. Don’t store live plants in a storage facility. There not enough natural light to keep them alive.
• Tools and gardening equipment: Drain hoses and coil tightly, then tape together. You can bunch tools together and tape or shrink wrap them. Small tools can be boxed and moved easily in quantity but remember not to pack too many heavy tools in one box.
• Hazardous and flammable materials: Don’t move them! You may not transport them or store them in our facility. Contact the proper local authority for instructions on disposal.

Everything Else:

• Books: Use the small box (1.5 cu.in.) for storing and moving books. Any larger boxes will be very difficult to lift and could fall apart when lifted.
• Rugs: Clean them up first. Then roll them up with some moth balls inside. Use rope or shrink wrap to bind rolls together.
• Tables: If you can, remove the legs of large tables and wrap them to protect from scratches. You will need large furniture pads to completely wrap your tables and prevent possible damage. Old blankets usually work just fine too.
• Beds: Disassemble the bed frame. Tie rails and crosspieces together with rope or tape. Pad the ends of the rails to protect other items. Mark tape to show where pieces fit together. Use mattress protection bags to keep mattress clean. Wrap headboard in protective paper or bubble wrap.
• Chairs: Armless chairs can be stacked and roped or taped together. Cover armchairs with chair covers or furniture pads to protect them during the move.
• Glasses and dishes: Make sure to have an adequate supply of packing paper and bubble wrap available. Each glass and dish should be wrapped separately. Then use a dish pack box with cell dividers to place each glass and dish. This is crucial to protect fine china.
• Kitchenware: Medium boxes (3.0 cu.in.) are typically the largest boxes you’ll want to use when packing pots, pans and utensils. Take good care of your fine cookware by separating them with wrapping paper or bubble wrap.

Moving Day

• Get your rental truck as soon as you can. This way you can both familiarize yourself with its operation and take your time packing.
• Load your everyday essentials last so they are easy to find and remove for use.
• Make sure you have personal necessities in a small box or suitcase to carry with you.
• When moving, make sure you have a safety moving belt to protect your back. When lifting heavy items; bend your knees and never lift with your back to prevent injury.
• Get as much moving help as possible so you can move large or heavy items safely.
• Don’t forget the hand-truck; this becomes an invaluable tool when you have a lot of walking to do, lots of boxes to move, or several large appliances.

Loading The Truck

• Make sure the truck is on a flat and level surface. Extend the moving ramp and secure the end hooks for stability.
• Make sure to load evenly. A consistent height, from front to back, reduces the possibility of shifting.
• Load large items first. The heaviest items should be loaded and placed along the front wall of the moving van. Try to place heavy items like the refrigerator and washer/dryer on opposite sides of the truck to ensure proper load balance of the vehicle. Mattresses should be leaned against the side walls of the truck to conserve space and act as padding for other items.
• Remember to use ample furniture pads to prevent scratches or damage to your valuable possessions.
• When you’ve completed loading the large and heavy items; begin loading your boxes and awkward items.
• Stack your boxes from heaviest to lightest/fragile on top. Books should always be on the bottom.
• When you have space between boxes of various sizes; try to fit something that might be a little awkward dimensionally to eliminate shifting space and to find a place for everything. Remember, with furniture there will always be small spaces created by legs and design. These spaces are ideal for small items.