1. Store items you'll need most often at the front of the unit.

 

2. When you pack your storage unit, create a center aisle for access for all items.

 

3. If you are storing tables and other furniture, remove legs and store tabletops and sofas on end to save space.

 

4. Turn table chairs upside down(feet up) and store high up on top of boxes or square wood furniture. This helps utilize higher cubic space that might not otherwise be used.  

5. Old photographs tend to curl over time. To keep them flat, place them between two pieces of cardboard and tape them together.

 

6. Drain gasoline and oil from lawn mowers and other items with small engines.

 

7. Common sense and state laws determine what may be stored. You alone control access to your moving storage space: therefore never store live animals, perishables, liquids, explosives, flammable liquids, and fuels, toxic materials, or other items that need a controlled environment.

 

8. Use trash cans to store shovels, hoes & rakes.

 

9. Mattresses should be covered or at least placed on a blanket to prevent them from getting dirty. They should also be stored vertical against a unit wall to save space.

 

10. Use protective covers & treat wood surfaces before storing.

 

11. Pack blankets, draperies, and dress clothes on a hanger in a wardrobe box.

 

12. ALWAYS use high quality locks on your unit.

Cars are meant to be driven. Leaving a vehicle unattended for a long period of time can cause something akin to automotive atrophy, a slow deterioration of the vehicle that can create problems when you try to drive it again. Rust and corrosion can form on the body or inside critical components, gum and varnish can clog the fuel system, sludge and acids can form in the engine oil, mildew can grow in the interior, and constant sunlight can slowly fade the paint and deteriorate vinyl, leather, and rubber parts. That's why if you need to store your vehicle-whether for the winter or because it can't be driven for an indefinite period of time-certain precautions should be taken before you put it into mothballs.

The best place for car storage is out of the weather, preferably inside a building that's cool, dark, and dry. If you don't have a garage, look into renting one. If this isn't possible, a reasonable alternative is to store it inside a portable enclosure, such as in a car bag or portable garage. If the vehicle will be completely sealed from outside air, place a couple bags of desiccant inside the enclosure with it to absorb trapped moisture. However, if the vehicle needs to be stored outside without an enclosure, at least cover it with a quality car cover that has thick, multi-layered fabric. 

Prior to putting the vehicle into storage, a few precautions will help keep it in good shape. The fuel system, for instance, can be a prime source of problems. If the car is stored with an empty tank, moisture can condense inside the system and cause rust and corrosion. On the other hand, if the car is stored with fuel in the system, the gas can gradually break down, forming gum and varnish. To help keep gasoline from deteriorating, pour a fuel stabilizer into the tank. Be sure to drive the car for about 10 miles after adding the stabilizer to make sure it gets circulated throughout the system. Normally, it's best to leave the tank full. However, if the vehicle will be stored in an enclosed location where gas fumes could be a problem, empty the tank about half way.