Basic Tips
Get everything together – cartons, plain newsprint, tape, scissors, packing labels, and a marker. Pack as much in one room before going to the next. If you have plenty of time to pack, set up a convenient location to pack that is out of the way. Organization is key.
It is highly recommended to label all the boxes and list as many contents as you can on each box. This will enable you to know where to put each box when relocating the items and will also help you if you are looking for something in particular once the items are already packed. Consider packing the items you do not use often first. Next will be the little-used equipment, and last, the things that will be used until the very last minute such as bedding, towels, etc. It is also recommended to place the boxes that you think you will use most often in the front of your storage unit in case you need to access it at a later time.
Place like items in a carton and keep things together. For example, when packing curtains; put the rods, screws, bolts, and curtains in one box which will eliminate having to go all the boxes to find the missing pieces. The bottoms of each box should be properly tapped to avoid the box from opening when packed and the heavier items should be placed on the ground and lighter boxes should be placed on top in the storage unit to avoid crushing. So if you have three boxes of books and a box of towels, place the three boxes of books below the box of towels. Ensure that the packed boxes do not exceed fifty pounds in weight, and the boxes should be filled to the top to prevent crushing but the tops of the boxes should be closed flat and tapped.
When packing items such as sofa's in your storage unit, they should be packed "on-end" which will save space (except for sofa beds). No, this will not damage your sofa; ensure it is properly wrapped with moving blankets. When renting a storage unit, you do not want to pay for wasted space, utilize as much space as you can! If storing a desk; place boxes below and on top of the desk to maximize your storage space. If you wish to have access to your goods, make a small hallway between boxes; it's that simple!
Specific Tips
China
For these fragile items, you should use a china carton with 3-4 inches of crumpled white newsprint in the bottom of the carton for additional cushioning. Everyday plated can be wrapped in stacks of four; however, the more delicate the plate, the smaller the stack.
Place one plate in a corner of your stack of white unprinted newspaper and using 1-2 layers of paper; pull the corners up and over the top plate. Fold the side corners of the paper into the middle and then place another plate on top. Repeat the process until you have four plates in a stack, individually protected by layers of paper. Finish the process by rolling the stack away from you to the far corner until the bundle is completely wrapped and protected. Then place the bundle into the carton on edge. NEVER lay plates flat in a carton!
Plates can form the bottom tier or layer of the carton, followed by bowls in the next layer and finally by cups, glassware, goblets and other light, fragile items.
Separate each layer in the carton with a cushion of newsprint and ensure that each wrapped piece is snug in its layer to prevent movement. Empty spaces can be filled with crushed newspaper and the top of the carton should be marked "Fragile" and "This Side Up".
Bowls
Bowls and odd-shaped items are just right for the second layer. Following the same method for packing plates, wrap individually in unprinted newsprint, stack 3 or 4 to a group and wrap them again in a double layer of newsprint. As with the plates, place shallow bowls or odd-shaped pieces on edge in a row in the carton.
Large, deep bowls should be wrapped individually and nested into each other, and packed upside down in the carton.
Cups
Every day cups can be stacked in groups of 2. Place one cup in a corner of your packing paper. Using 1-2 layers of paper, pull the corners up and into the cup. Make sure that the paper completely fills the cup and covers all edges, and then stack the second cup into the first with the handle facing the opposite direction. Now pull up the side corners of the paper and fill the inside of the second cup. Roll the bundle away from you until it is completely protected. Place the bundle upside down in the carton with the handles to the inside.
Fragile cups should be wrapped individually with the handles and inside additionally wrapped with paper. Handles face the inside of the carton.
Glassware
Again, a china barrel and a generous amount of crushed newspaper as a cushion are necessary for additional protection. The top layer of your dish-pack is perfect for glassware and cups. Glasses are wrapped like cups and can be nested in sets of 3 or 4, using your own discretion. Start by placing the glass diagonally on your sheet of white newsprint and wrap it from corner to corner. Stop mid-way and fold the 2 remaining corners of the newsprint to the bottom and the rim of the glass covering it completely. You can then nest an additional glass and complete wrapping by rolling it to the far corner.
Stemware and goblets are more fragile and should be wrapped individually with special care taken to protect the stems. Fill the goblets with crumbled tissue and then roll the goblet in the same manner as the glasses.
Glass pitchers and vases are also wrapped using the same method. Large items go into the bottom of the dish-pack. It's BOTTOMS UP when you pack all glassware. Be sure to fill all the empty spaces with crushed newsprint.
Books
Books are very heavy so be sure to use small boxes (2 cubic feet). Place books in an upright position, alternating bound edge to open edge. Do not press anything against the exposed edges which would mar the pages. Expensive, sentimental, or unusual books should be wrapped individually.
Clothing and Drapes
You should use a wardrobe carton which can come with a metal bar for having clothes such as dresses, suits, coats, and drapes. It will save you the inconvenience of having to press them later.
If you wish, clothing can be folded and placed in a suitcase or a large carton (5 cubic feet). Dresser drawers can also be utilized for some clothing although all other items should be removed from the dresser drawers and packed in cartons as the dresser may become very heavy to lift. The contents of the dresser drawers should not be too heavy.
Foods and Liquids
Storing food in liquids in storage centers food is prohibited.
Pots, Pans, and Small Appliances
These items should be packed in a medium-size carton (4 cubic feet). Don't forget crumbled newsprint in the bottom of the carton first! If pots, pans, and trays are a graduated set, each one should be wrapped separately in newsprint and then nested together. The heavier is the item, the smaller is the box. Keep a layer of newsprint between each wrapped pan, pot of tray. Small unbreakable wrapped packages can be placed inside the wrapped group to effectively utilize space.
Small appliances should be wrapped in several layers of newsprint. Remember to drain water or crumbs from any appliances. Always pack cords and accessories with the appropriate appliance to avoid confusion when unpacking. If the appliance has a fixed cord, put a layer of paper between the cord and the appliance to prevent scratches.
CD's and DVD's
Compact disks and DVD's should be packed in their plastic cardboard cases. Do not leave any disks in players. If you have collectibles (like records) they should be placed in their album covers and packed on edge in a small carton.
Computers
Back all software used on computers. Disconnect all wiring and cables and draw a simple diagram or color-code wires before disconnecting it make reconnecting easier. Complete a list of all computer equipment (with serial numbers). Remove ink cartridges from printers
Radio and Clocks
If they are small, these and similar items can be packed with the linens; otherwise, pack as for small appliances. Grandfather clocks should be services by an expert.
Lamp Base
Remove the shade, harp, and bulb. Wrap the body of the lamp in plenty of packing newsprint, keep at least one layer of paper between the lamp and its attached cord. Pack the base, upright, in a china barrel or join two cartons together and fill the spaces with crumpled paper. Wrap the bulb, harp, and other small lamp parts and pack them with the base.
Lamp Shade
Lampshades should only be handled by metal framing and packed in a medium carton (4 cubic feet). Surround the shade with a sheet of white newsprint and fill in all empty spaces. The only other item that should be packed with a lampshade is another lampshade, one that will nest inside or on top without pressing again the other. Do not use newspaper as protective linings between each shade and you should not use crushed paper for packing. It's fine to use pillows or bath towels inside the shades.
Mattress Bags
Mattress and box springs should be packed for sanitary reasons and to protect them from damage. Ottawa Self Storage will provide you with mattress bags to fit twin, double, queen, or king mattresses and box springs.
Linens
Towels, sheets, linens, etc., should be packed in a large carton (5 cubic feet) or, if suitable, substituted for cushioning material (as opposed to newsprint).
Silver (Sterling or Plated)
The important point about protecting silver from tarnishing is to keep the air out. With silverware in a chest, all empty spaces should be filled with crushed tissue and the entire chest wrapped in unprinted newsprint. Loose silverware can be wrapped, individually or in groups, in clear newsprint.
Artificial Plants
An arrangement of artificial flowers should be packed in its own carton, surrounded by newsprint. If possible, fasten the base of the arrangement to the bottom of the carton. Please note that you are prohibited from real plants in your storage space.
Paintings, Glass Table Tops, Marble Slabs
Certain large picture and marble tops, because of their size and value should be packed in larger picture cartons or custom-made crates. Please call AMJ Campbell Self Storage for more information. For smaller pictures, etc., they should be well wrapped in three sheets of white newsprint and placed on edge in a carton. Linens, blankets, and towels can serve as an additional cushioning material.
Rugs
Roll the rugs and tape them with packing tape. When storing the rugs, stand them on end in the corner of your storage unit.
Tools
Take a group of long-handled garden tools and bundle them together with tape or twine. This also applies to mops, brooms, curtain rods, etc. Attachments on power tools should be removed, wrapped, and packed with hand tools in a small carton (2 cubic feet). Remember to empty gasoline and oil from all motors before storing them in your storage space.
Toys
It is not necessary to wrap toys. Just pack them into a medium (4 cubic feet) or large carton (5 cubic feet) and seal the top.