Packing Tips

Packing Tips

• Plan your storage space. Place those items that you may need to access often close to the door.
• Make up an inventory of your items and keep it in a safe place at home or in a safe deposit box.
• CAUTION! Do not store anything COMBUSTIBLE (i.e., Paint thinner, gasoline, solvents, paint, etc.)
• Use uniform size boxes for easy stacking. Be sure your boxes are strong enough to hold 25-30 pounds. (It is best not to put too much in each box.) Mobile Attic has boxes/supplies available for sale and can be delivered with your unit.
• List contents of boxes on all four sides; number the boxes and seal with tape.
• Stack lighter boxes on top of heavier boxes.
• Dishes and glasses should be wrapped in paper and packed in sturdy boxes.
• Pictures and mirrors should be wrapped in cardboard and marked “FRAGILE” and stacked on end.
• Furniture with drawers can be utilized as storage places for pictures, knick-knacks, china, silverware, small items, etc. Wrap them in tablecloths, towels or blankets* to prevent breakage. (*Mobile Attic has blankets available for rent. Let us know when ordering your unit and those and boxes/moving supplies can be delivered with your unit)
• Larger appliances make excellent “packaging cases” for blankets, towels, tablecloths and clothes.
• Shovels, hoes, rakes and hoses can be stored together in empty trash cans. Stack extra cans inside each other.
• Tables having removable legs should be broken down to save space.
• Sofas and love seats can be stored on end to save floor space. Always place a protective cover under the item. Cushions may be wrapped in plastic and placed on top.
• Cover stuffed furniture with cardboard or blankets to protect against dust.
• If you stand mattresses on their side, prop them up so they stand straight. They may tend to bend out of shape and become lumpy.
• Do not place heavy or sharp objects on top of upholstered furniture.
• Use a good quality lock on your door.
• Put TV’s and other electronics in the rear of your unit.
• Make sure to distribute the weight within the unit in order for it to be transported easily, if it’s being relocated.
• Note the Mobile Attic contract for more information about contents of the unit.

What to Put in a Storage Building to Keep Moisture Down

Depending on what you are storing, moisture is can be a concern. Excess humidity in the air can damage your books, clothing, electronics and tools as well as encourage the growth of mold and mildew. Cleaning and drying wet or damp items before placing them in storage helps reduce additional moisture in the air. But your local climate may be moist during the winter or rainy season, naturally adding to the humidity in your storage unit.

Commercial Products

There are many commercial moisture-absorbing products sold at home centers and storage facilities. These products may contain activated alumina, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, silica gel, sodium chloride or a combination of ingredients intended to absorb excess moisture or humidity from the air. These products may be toxic; keep them out of reach of children and pets.

Charcoal Briquettes

There is a good reason why manufacturers warn you to keep your charcoal briquettes in a dry location; they absorb water from the air. By placing a bucket of plain, inexpensive briquettes in your storage unit, you can reduce the humidity. You should replace the briquettes every 30 to 60 days to keep the air fresh and dry.

Kitty Litter

You may already use clay kitty litter to soak up oil spills in your garage. It works equally well to absorb the humidity in a storage facility. Simply tear open a bag or open a bucket of kitty litter and place it in the middle of the building. The clay will absorb the moisture in the air, keeping your possessions safe from mold and mildew.

Dehumidifier

When electricity is available, a dehumidifier helps to reduce moisture in the air in your storage building. Unlike passive moisture-absorbing methods, however, you can use a dehumidifier only when the temperature is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In an unheated storage building, it may not be practical for use in winter. In addition, you’ll have to empty the water tank regularly unless you can attach it to a floor drain.

Electric Fan

Used along with the passive methods of reducing moisture in a storage building, a box fan or oscillating fan can help keep the humidity level low. Good air circulation keeps the air dry and prevents mold and mildew from forming on the storage boxes and walls.