Storage Checklist and Tips

Short and long term storage is an excellent option for dealing with excess items while moving house, travelling, renovating or temporarily without the space to keep everything. However, while storage is simple enough, packing for storage can be a bigger task than you might initially presume. Not only do you need to maximise the space available, but you also need to make sure that you have everything cleaned and accounted for. There’s also the question of what you can put into storage and what you can’t. When considering all these things, you also need to give yourself time to prepare everything, such as defrost fridges, empty lawn mowers of fuel and add furniture oil to wooden furniture.

This list of tasks can start to sound overwhelming and stressful. That’s why we’ve created this simple storage checklist with tips for putting items in storage. Instead of trying to keep your to-do list in your head, simply make your way through this checklist and you’ll be ready for the date when our team comes to pick up your items or you head to the storage facility yourself. If there are any items you want to store that we haven’t included in this checklist, don’t despair. Just get in touch with our friendly customer service team and they will happily provide you any extra information and advice that you may require.

General Storage Tips

Prepare an inventory list of all your items
Label everything
Use clear containers
Use high quality packing supplies

packing boxes

Place lighter boxes on top
Do not store any food or perishable items
Do not store anything flammable or toxic
Always get storage insurance

Storage Checklist

Furniture

Empty the contents of all wardrobes, cupboards and draws
Coat wooden items in layer of protective furniture oil to preserve condition
Treat leather furniture with a premium leather care guard to retain condition during storage
Take apart any larger items that can be disassembled such as tables, shelves, bed frames, wardrobes etc. Removing legs can also help to save space and prevent any chance of damage when stacking
Keep all important nuts and screws in a ziplock bag, label it and tape it to the items or store it somewhere safe
Use a layer of moving blankets, bubble wrap or old towels between furniture pieces in storage to prevent damage that can be incurred such as scratches

Electronics

Remove batteries from all items such as remotes and toys to prevent battery corrosion and leakage
Use original boxes for electronics where possible as these are custom built to specifications and prevent the chances of moving or slipping during packing and transit
Use bubble wrap, packing paper, towels or pillows to fill gaps in larger boxes or containers to prevent movement and provide an extra layer of protection
Unplug and disconnect all cables and cords and keep them neatly wrapped, labelled and stored in a ziplock bag or storage container

Glassware and Fragiles

Source some specialised packing boxes with dividers to help protect fragile items
Protect each item by wrapping it with bubble wrap
Place each item in an upright position to protect structural integrity
Label box as ‘fragile’ and ensure it is handled with care

Mirrors and Frames

Source specialised picture moving boxes for added security for large and important pieces
Wrap all frames in bubble wrap and stand upright in picture moving box
Use painter’s tape to make an X across mirrors to protect structural integrity. Should the worst happen and the mirror crack during transit, this will also hold it in place to prevent pieces damaging other stored items
Wrap mirrors in bubble wrap and store end on end, not flat to provide best protection
Label these boxes as ‘fragile’ too

Clothing and Linen

Use specialised garment bags or wardrobe boxes if you want to keep clothing clean and free of wrinkles
Use wooden or plastic clothes hangers to avoid the chances of rust that can damage your items during long term storage
For woollen items, use lavender satchels or cedar chips to prevent moth damage. These are natural alternatives to mothballs which contain naphthalene, a toxic chemical harmful to humans which has the potential to leak or break
Use dresser drawers to store extra shoes, clothing or linen to make use of the extra space

Appliances and Kitchenware

Thoroughly clean all appliances and kitchenware before putting them into storage to ensure that no foodstuff or bacteria can damage the contents of your storage container and void your insurance
Disconnect and unplug all appliances, keeping cords neatly wrapped, labelled and in a ziplock bag or storage container
Defrost and clean fridges and freezers in advance to allow time to completely dry
Leave fridge and freezer doors ajar to prevent mould, mildew and smell as well as to protect the rubber seals during long term storage
Clean washing machines, dishwashers, dryers with vinegar and baking soda, or similar applicable products, and allow to thoroughly dry before putting into storage

Mowers, Machinery and the Shed

Empty all fuel and oil from motor equipment and machinery such as lawnmowers, chainsaws, mechanical hedgers etc. This prevents the chance of leakage of flammables which is a fire hazard and could void your insurance
Clean all gardening equipment and shed items to remove all dirt and bacteria that could damage your stored items and affect insurance claims
Drain all garden hoses, sprinklers, watering cans and any other equipment with water or other liquids that could spill and damage the contents of your storage container
Wrap all hoses into neat loops and connect the ends together to prevent damaging kinks and bends

Books, Photos, Documents & Precious Items

Speak with storage facilitator about airtight, temperature-controlled storage options for important legal documents, identification and any other paper or electronic-based items that require specialised protection
Source specialised, protected and waterproof containers for storing all precious items such as photos, documents and important books
Use two layers of bubble wrap or packing paper for important photo albums, books, vinyl records and anything particularly susceptible to conditions such as heat
Pack all books in small boxes lying flat so that the weight isn’t placed on the spines

Storage Options

Allied offers a full range of storage options and services to cater for your every need. This includes flexible storage times, small volume storage and valet storage services. So whether you want to pack and store your items yourself, or have an experienced professional handle them for you, we are happy to accommodate your needs. Our door-to-door storage service and valet packing and unpacking can take all of the work off your hands and allow you to get back to your life with minimal interruptions.

We have high-quality storage facilities all across Australia, covering major city and regional locations throughout the country. We guarantee the safety of your stored items with extensive security measures, including 24/7 CCTV surveillance. To find out more about our stress-free storage services, including insurance, packing and transit, simply get in touch with our friendly team today. Give us a call on 13 25 54 or fill out the free quote request form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.