Packing for storage is like getting your stuff ready for a long nap. If you pack it the right way, it stays clean, dry, and easy to find later.
Step 1: Pick the right boxes and supplies
Use the same few box sizes if you can. They stack better. Severna Office and Storage sells moving supplies!
You’ll want:
- Strong cardboard boxes (or plastic bins for things that might get damp)
- Packing tape (the good thick kind)
- Bubble wrap or packing paper
- Stretch wrap (great for keeping drawers shut)
- Labels + a marker
- Zip-top bags (for screws, cords, tiny parts) – the vacuum pack variety are also great for clothes.
Avoid:
- Grocery boxes (they’re weak and can have food smells)
- Trash bags (stuff gets squished, and bags trap moisture)
Step 2: Clean and dry everything first
Storage units are not a magic “stop time” box. Dirt and moisture cause most problems.
- Wash and fully dry clothes, towels, bedding
- Wipe down furniture and shelves
- Make sure appliances are empty and dry
- Let rugs and cushions dry completely
If it goes in damp, it can come out musty.
Step 3: Pack one “zone” at a time
Pack by room or by type. This makes unpacking way easier.
Good groups:
- Kitchen
- Bedroom
- Holiday decorations
- Kids’ stuff
- Tools and garage items
Step 4: Protect breakables the smart way
- Wrap plates standing up (like records), not stacked flat
- Put heavy things on the bottom, light things on top
- Fill empty space in boxes so items don’t slide around
- Mark boxes FRAGILE on more than one side
Pro tip: Towels, socks, and t-shirts can be free padding.
Step 5: Don’t ruin your stuff with the wrong packing materials
Some materials can trap moisture or scratch surfaces.
- Use packing paper (not newspaper) for clean items
- Avoid wrapping furniture in plastic for long periods (plastic can trap moisture)
- Use moving blankets or cloth covers for wood furniture
- Use mattress bags for mattresses
Step 6: Handle furniture like a pro
- Take apart beds and tables if you can
- Put screws and small parts in a zip-top bag and tape it to the item
- Stand mattresses on their side (if allowed), not flat under heavy weight
- Keep couch cushions off the floor if possible
Step 7: Label like you want to find things again
On every box, write:
- What it is (example: “Kitchen – mugs and cups”)
- What room it belongs to
- “Open first” if it’s important
Even better: Number boxes and keep a note on your phone:
- Box 1: winter coats
- Box 2: Christmas lights
That way you don’t have to open 20 boxes to find one thing.
Step 8: Pack the unit so you can walk in
This is the storage expert secret: leave a path.
How to load:
- Put heavy, sturdy items on the bottom (dressers, book boxes)
- Put fragile and light items up higher
- Put things you might need soon near the front
- Leave a small aisle down the middle (even 18 inches helps)
If you stack to the ceiling, make sure the bottom boxes are strong.
Step 9: Keep stuff safe from heat, cold, and moisture
- Put important items in plastic bins (photos, papers, kids’ keepsakes)
- Keep boxes off the floor using a pallet or shelves if you can
- Don’t store food (it attracts pests)
- Don’t store candles, crayons, or anything that melts if it gets hot
- For electronics: pack them in their original boxes if you have them, and keep them higher up
If your storage is climate-controlled, use it for:
- Photos and paper
- Electronics
- Wood furniture
- Musical instruments
- Clothes you care about
Step 10: Do a final “check before you lock”
Before you close the door:
- Take a quick photo of the unit (so you remember where things are)
- Make sure labels face outward
- Make sure the aisle is clear
- Make sure nothing is leaning in a way that could fall
Done right, storage feels easy. Done wrong, it feels like a messy treasure hunt with dust. Need more advice? Contact our resident manager.