When people in Illinois find that they have too much stuff to store in their homes any longer, but they still want to keep their things, they look into putting their possessions in storage units for safe keeping. There are many reasons why using storage units might be helpful to someone. They may have a collection of items that are valuable to them but take up too much space in their home. Or they may decide that they need to clean out the garage or attic but don’t want to get rid of the things that are in there. Storage units are great for people who just need a little bit more space, for whatever reason. Cardboard boxes are the best ways to store items in a storage unit but there are a few things to keep in mind to keep your things safe.
Put Your Cardboard Boxes on Pallets
We all know that the weather in Illinois can be unpredictable at times. When you rent a storage unit you do not know if the melting snow will leak under your door and get your things wet or if someone in a unit near you has a spill that seeps over to your site and ruins your things. The best way to prevent these unknowns from happening is to put your boxes up on pallets so they are off the floor and away from any potential dangers.
Wrap Your Items
If you have items that will not fit into boxes, such as furniture or lamps, wrap them in plastic wrap to keep them from getting dusty or filled with bugs or mice or other unwanted critters. This is a good precaution to make sure your things stay safe while they are in storage. Also be sure to wrap anything that is breakable inside the boxes with bubble wrap to keep them from breaking. Label boxes that have breakables clearly so you know which boxes to be extra careful with.
Clearly Label Everything
When you first pack up your cardboard boxes you may think that you will remember exactly what you packed but after several months you will likely forget. It is best to clearly label everything that you pack in the boxes so that you don’t have to waste a bunch of time searching for something that you need later on down the road. Taking the time to label everything when you pack it will save you a lot of energy and hassle down the road.