A refrigerator or freezer should be thoroughly dry and stored with its door slightly ajar.  Some goods can be stored inside large appliances and boxes can be stacked on top of stoves, refrigerators, and freezers.  Make sure that stoves and cooking equipment are cleaned before they are stored.  We rent utility and appliance dollies to help you move.

To retard rust, wipe all metal surfaces with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil.

Pack books flat to protect their spines.  Use packing to fill out empty pockets in boxes. Do not pack fragile items in the same box with books and do not overload.

Clothing, curtains and drapes should be stored on hangers.  Each facility sells wardrobe boxes to help protect your clothes and curtains.   Food crumbs or stains should be removed before storage and avoid storing anything that may attract pests.

Place a layer of packing inside the bottom and at the top of boxes containing glassware.  All glass items should be individually wrapped.  Nest cups and bowls, and stand plates, saucers and platters on edge.  Wrapped glasses should be placed near the top of cartons.  Again, fill all pockets with packing.  Label all boxes containing glassware and do not place heavy items on boxes containing glassware.  Community Storage sells packing kits, bubble wrap and wrapping paper to help you box up your fragile items.

Stand sofa and mattresses in protective covers on end.  Disassemble beds and tables and wrap table legs in paper.  If a table or will not disassemble, place padding on floor and place table on its top with  the legs pointing up.  Use dresser tops for stacking cartons and dresser drawers for linens or small delicate items.  Keep upholstery off the floor.   Most lightweight chairs can be stacked "seat to seat" or placed upside down on tables which cannot be disassembled.  Finally place a dust cover on your furniture.  We sell sofa, mattress and dust covers to protect your personal belongings for your convenience.  We also rent moving blankets to help you move your furniture safely.

HOLIDAY DECORATIONS 

Save the original cartons that contained delicate ornaments and pad the ornaments with clean white newsprint.  Wrap strings of lights around a piece of cardboard before placing in a carton lined with packing paper.

LAMPS

Wrap large lamp bases in padding, wrap smaller lamps and place them in boxes and pack delicate lamp shades separately.  Use only clean white newsprint to wrap lampshades.  Do not store heavy items on cartons containing lamps or lamp shades.

MIRRORS,WINDOWS AND SCREENS

These items should be stored on edge, not flat. 

TOOLS
 
Metal tools should be cleaned and wiped with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil to retard rust.  Long-handled tools such as rakes, shovels and hoes should be clean, lightly oiled and tied in bundles.

OTHER HELPFUL STORAGE TIPS
 
Determine the packing accessories you will need.  Community Storage sells boxes, bubble wrap, wrapping paper, tape, mattress and sofa covers, dust covers and packing kits.  

Protect fragile goods with packing and place them near the top of your storage space. 

Label Boxes.  Keep a list of labeled boxes at your home or office for easy reference when you need to locate goods.

Pack your storage space carefully.  Leave air space around perimeter to aid ventilation.  Do not lean items against walls.  Leave a walkway in the middle of your unit to the rear of your space for easy access.  Use all the space available, including the height and place frequently used goods near the door.