How to Store Your Valuables: A Comprehensive Guide to Protecting Your Precious Items in Self-Storage

A self-storage unit provides a secure and clean environment to store your belongings. However, when it comes to valuable items, special care is needed if you want to keep your items in perfect condition.

Whether it’s a valuable and fragile antique or a state-of-the-art laptop, a little care and attention spent when packing and storing can save a lot of heartache when the time comes to retrieve your belongings.

To help you get the most from your self-storage experience, we have compiled a guide to protecting your precious items in self-storage.

The Importance of Proper Packing

Whatever valuables you are storing, the cornerstone of successfully storing them starts at the packing stage. The first thing to consider is the quality of the packing materials you use. When it comes to storing valuables, then boxes rescued from your local grocery store aren’t going to cut it.

Using high-quality packing materials is a critical first step to protecting your valuables in self-storage. Once you have these in hand, the next step is to properly pack your valuables. Here are some tips to help you achieve just that:

1. Use Sturdy Boxes: Opt for strong packing boxes or plastic storage bins that can withstand weight and protect your items from dust and moisture. Ideally, these should meet UPS and FedEx Shipping requirements.
2. Bubble Wrap is Essential: For fragile items such as glassware, ceramics, or electronics, use bubble wrap to provide a protective layer. It’s also a good idea to fill any empty space in the box with bubble wrap or similar to preserve the items and prevent them from yellowing over time.
3. Label Your Boxes: Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This will make it easier to find what you need when you access your storage unit.
4. Seal Boxes Properly: Use strong packing tape to seal your boxes. This will help to keep dust and pests out and will also prevent the box from coming open during transit or storage.
5. Avoid Overpacking: While it might be tempting to fit as much as possible into each box, overpacking can lead to boxes becoming too heavy and potentially breaking. It’s better to use more boxes and distribute the weight evenly.
6. Pack in Layers: When packing a box, put the heaviest items at the bottom and the lightest items at the top. This will help to prevent damage caused by heavy items crushing lighter ones.

Remember, the goal is to ensure that your valuables are as protected as possible during their time in storage. By following these packing tips, you can help to ensure that your items remain in the same condition as when you stored them.

Specific Tips for Different Types of Valuable

Of course, how you pack the Rembrandt that you found in the loft is going to be fundamentally different from how you pack a top-of-the-range SLR camera. In this section, we share some specific tips for successfully storing different types of valuables.

Storing Artwork and Antiques

• Use Acid-Free Materials: When wrapping artwork or antiques, use acid-free materials to prevent damage.
• Proper Positioning: Store paintings and framed items upright, not stacked, to prevent damage. For sculptures or other three-dimensional items, ensure they are well-protected and stable to prevent any movement that could cause damage.

Storing Jewellery

• Use Jewellery Boxes: Store each piece of jewellery in a separate compartment of a jewellery box to prevent tangling and scratching.
• Avoid Humidity: Silica gel packets can be used in your jewellery box to help absorb any excess moisture.
• Consider a Safe: For particularly valuable pieces, consider using a safe for an extra layer of security.

Storing Electronics

• Use Original Packaging: If possible, store electronics in their original packaging, which is designed to protect them.
• Remove Batteries: Batteries left in devices can leak over time, causing damage. Remove batteries before storing electronics.
• Avoid Stacking: Don’t stack electronic devices on top of each other, as this can cause damage. Instead, give each item its own space on a shelf or in a box.

Storing Important Documents

• Use Document Protectors: Store important documents in plastic document protectors to prevent damage from dust and moisture.
• Store Flat: Whenever possible, store documents flat rather than folded to prevent creases and tears.
• Use Archive Boxes: For complete protection, it’s recommended the use of archive boxes, that are specifically designed for business or personal records.

Remember, the key to successfully storing valuables is to consider the specific needs of each type of item and to take the necessary steps to meet those needs.

Wrapping Up: Securing Your Valuables in Self-Storage

Spending a little care and attention and using the right materials is all you need to keep your valuables in perfect condition. Of course, the quality of the storage company is another important factor.

At Belfast Self Storage, we can supply the perfect unit to keep your valuables safe and secure for as long as you need. Our friendly staff can also offer help and guidance if you need advice on any storage matters.

Why not call us today and make sure your precious items are in the safest hands?