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Top Tips for Summer Storage
Summer is one of the peak periods for putting items into self-storage, and particularly this year. Not only are regular users are storing winter items which would otherwise take up valuable space in their house or garage, but in the last few months there has been the added factor of the coronavirus lockdown. Many people have been using this opportunity to have a good ‘declutter’ as they try to create more space around the home.
This has led to an increase in the amount of goods which have been sold, donated to charity shops and – if people can’t bear to part with them – put into self-storage. Here Hamiltons Removals, who offer secure self-storage rooms and containers at two sites on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, provide some top tips for anyone using a self-storage unit this summer.
Clean Clothes…
Warm winter wear, from woollens to bulky coats, are prime candidates to go into storage over the summer, whether you are a householder who is short of space or a clothes store owner looking for somewhere to keep out-of-season stock. Whatever your clothes are made of, you should always clean them beforehand. This helps prevent any damage from mould or mildew. For some delicate fabrics, this will mean sending them to a professional dry-cleaning company.
Don’t forget to empty out any garments – you don’t want to run the risk of chocolate or sweets congealing in the pockets.
…and Sports Equipment
Skis and snowboards and other winter sports gear which won’t be needed for several months also need a good once-over before you put them away for the summer. This doesn’t just mean wiping them down with a damp cloth; they should be properly cleaned and any edges sanded or sharpened. It is also a good idea to add a fresh coat of wax before putting them into storage to prevent the surfaces from drying out.
Manufacturers generally recommend that all winter sports equipment should be stored in an upright position and kept in bags or sheets. This will keep off any dust and reduce the risk of any metal elements rusting or wood warping.
Store it Correctly
Where possible, store items vertically as this is a much more efficient use of space. If your clothes are normally hung up, then store them in a wardrobe box. Take care with metal hangers, as these can cause the fabric to stretch and their sharp edges can rip fabrics very easily. If your garments aren’t in a wardrobe box, keep them in clear plastic containers so you can find them again easily.
Lighter items should go on top of bulkier ones to avoid the problem of crush damage. And don’t stack too many boxes on top of one another as items can easily be broken or damaged if a carton falls off.
Mark Everything Up
It’s essential that you have a logical approach to self-storage, so you know exactly where everything is at any one time. Make two inventories of all your stored items and keep one at home and another at the unit.
Mark all your boxes and cartons up clearly, so you know exactly what is stored inside them – it can be very frustrating to spend hours and hours rummaging through all your belongings looking for a specific item. Make sure the items you are most likely to need are easy to reach or close to your unit’s door.
Self-Storage from Hamiltons Removals
Hamiltons Removals operate two ‘Safe N Stored’ facilities at Harleston and Aldeby. The former offers secure self-storage rooms of varying sizes which cost as little as £65 per month to rent. Our Aldeby site has self-storage containers from 5’ to 20’. These are also available on a monthly basis and are ideal for larger items such as caravans, mobile homes, boats and motorbikes.
Both the depots are currently open, and we ask that all customers adhere to the Government’s current social distancing policies. We are also currently able to despatch online orders for packaging materials.
If you would like to know more about our self-storage rooms and containers, which are all ideal for customers across Norfolk and Suffolk, then click here or call us on 01379 855203.
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