When it comes to storing expensive or fragile items, whether it’s precious antiques, fine art, or delicate electronics, ensuring their safety and condition is paramount. Storing such items in a storage unit requires more thought and preparation compared to everyday household items. This guide will show you the important steps you need to take to store your fragile and valuable things safely, so you can rest easy knowing they will stay in great shape.
1. Choose the Right Storage Unit
Choosing the right storage box is the first thing you should do to protect valuable or fragile items. It’s important to choose the storage box that works best for your things because not all of them are the same. If you are moving expensive or fragile items, you might want to rent a climate-controlled unit. Climate-controlled units are made to keep the temperature and humidity level stable, which is important for keeping things like antiques, artwork, and wooden furniture from getting damaged.
If it gets too hot, too cold, or too wet, a climate-controlled box will protect your things from damage. Things that are easily damaged by changes in temperature and humidity include smartphones, photos, and leather goods. Having a climate-controlled room will protect these items even more. If you need to store things in Scottsdale, AZ, the best place to do it is at a storage center with climate-controlled units.
2. Proper Packing Materials
When storing fragile things, it’s important to use the right packing materials. To begin, make sure you have good packing supplies like bubble wrap, foam sheets, packing bags, and strong cardboard boxes. These things help cushion and protect things from damage while they are being moved into and out of the storage room.
For things that are very fragile, like fine china or glasses, use boxes that are made just for their shape. Dish pack boxes, for instance, are made to protect breakable things even more. Each piece of glass or china should always be wrapped in bubble wrap separately. To keep things from moving around inside the box, you should fill any empty places with packing peanuts or crumpled paper.
3. Label Everything Clearly
One of the best ways to ensure your items remain safe and accessible is to label each box clearly. Label each box not just with its contents, but with specific instructions such as “Fragile” or “This Side Up.” This will help you and anyone else handling your items to be extra cautious when moving or accessing the boxes.
Labeling also helps in locating particular items without having to open each box. If you plan to store several similar items in multiple boxes, consider creating an inventory list. This will not only help you keep your things in order, but it will also give you peace of mind in case you need to quickly check or get something.
4. Use Pallets and Shelving for Better Organization
When storing fragile or expensive items, it’s essential to keep them off the floor of the Scottsdale AZ storage unit. Using pallets or shelving units can help prevent items from getting damaged in case of a flood or spill. Pallets keep your belongings elevated and allow airflow underneath, which is crucial for avoiding moisture damage.
Shelving units are perfect for stacking boxes and keeping them organized. They also prevent you from having to dig through piles of boxes to find the item you’re looking for. Just ensure that the shelves are sturdy enough to hold the weight of your stored items.
5. Secure Your Storage Unit
Once your items are properly packed, labeled, and stored, the next step is to secure your unit. While many storage units have basic security features like cameras and locks, it’s wise to use your own high-quality lock. A combination lock or a disc lock is a good choice for added security. Always ensure that the unit’s door is fully closed and secured after each visit.
Additionally, if you are storing particularly high-value items, check if the facility offers insurance options. Some storage companies cover your things, which gives you extra peace of mind in case they are stolen, burned, or damaged by natural disasters.
6. Regularly Check on Your Items
If you’re storing expensive or fragile items long-term, it’s essential to check on them periodically. Make it a point to visit the unit every few months to ensure that your items are in good condition. This way, you can find problems like mold or bugs early on and fix them before they do damage that can’t be fixed.
Conclusion
If you follow the right steps, storing things that are valuable or easily broken doesn’t have to be upsetting. Getting the right storage unit, packing your things properly, marking them, and locking up your storage unit are all important things you can do to keep your valuable things safe and undamaged. You can store your valuables safely in Scottsdale, Arizona, or anywhere else. Taking extra steps to protect them will give you peace of mind that they’re being kept correctly and safely.
