Packed boxes should not weigh more than you can comfortably lift. And you'll want to make sure the box remains "square" and not bulging at the top or sides in order to keep them stable when stacking.
You don't keep your good clothes in a pile at home, so why pile 'em in a box here. Use hanging wardrobe boxes. They also work great for drapes and other fabrics that need some TLC and room to breathe.
Use a heavy black marker to label the contents of every box. You don't want to be guessing later with every box opened and spread across the floor.
...until you use garbage bags for storing stuff! Plastic bags get squished, dinged, ripped, and worse yet - full of mildew from lack of ventilation. Use boxes and proper packing materials for only professional results.
Clearly mark boxes that should always be handled and stacked with a definitive top — especially items like glassware, picture frames and lamps that can otherwise easily be damaged.
Good quality packaging tape is essential. You’ll know you got yours from Public Storage when it stays stuck!
Many stored items can be made smaller, especially bed frames. Wrap frames together with a few rounds of tape (use the non-sticky side for no tape residue); place any screws in plastic bags and tape to frame.
Typically you'll need four small to medium-sized boxes for every one large. Use the smaller boxes for heavy items like books and dishes; the large boxes for lighter items like bedding, blankets and linens.
Download the Public Storage App and always know where your stuff's at. Just snap some pics to automatically log contents + locations inside your unit with ease. Genius!
Allow for a clear path down the center of your unit, placing items along the walls. Yes, you'll want to reach the back part again — you know, for that doohickey that goes with the thingamajig.
As it turns out, this works for beds and furniture, too. Simply cover and pad with protective materials designed specifically for them to help ensure they stay in perfect condition.
That is, plan to keep your frequently used items at the FRONT of your unit. Duh, right? But we just had to say it...
Drain the fuel tanks of lawnmowers, weedwackers and leaf blowers before storing. Removing nasty fumes means you'll never be angered by your oak dresser smelling like a push mower. Keep it oaky, dokey.
No need for hidden treasures here. Simply scribble a basic drawing like this one, pointing out locations for all "must-find-agains." Then tack it to the wall and let your memory work hard elsewhere.
Use that lonely, vacant interior space for anything that fits. We like books and CDs. Just leave the door wedged open for circulation. Your milk never has to know...
Make the best use of your space by stacking to the ceiling! To do this safely, pack heavy items at the bottom of boxes to provide a stable base, then place the heaviest boxes at the bottom of the stack. Voila!
Only bad things can happen when you're tempted to over-reach. Keep a folding stepstool inside your unit for accessing items stored above your head and forever hear only sweet words spoken inside your unit.
Keeping some basic stuff like screwdrivers, a hammer, pliers and a utility knife around will pay-off big when removing removables. Like making leafy, leggy tables leg-less and half-sized.
Storing empty trash containers? And how about stuff like shovels, hoses and garden supplies? Trash 'em for an organized unit, and more room for more stuff!
Pop-on over to the manager’s office to borrow handcarts and dollies to make moving the heavy stuff a piece of cake. Thank him with some cake if you feel like it. Chocolate is always good.
They'd say, "Welcome new boxes, but could you give us at least an inch." All will coexist peacefully if you keep this distance in mind for proper air circulation.
