What Items Should Go Into a Storage Unit?
Whether a move is taking you across town or to another state, many people find they need storage during and after the move. While most items might easily transition into a new home, others might not immediately fit.
In these cases, long-term storage is a practical solution, offering a convenient place to keep furniture, sporting equipment, seasonal decorations, and more. It can be particularly useful when downsizing, temporarily relocating, or seeking to declutter without giving up sentimental items.
What Items Are Best in Long-Term Storage?
For most people, moving is a stressful time that involves a lot of strategizing. Putting some of your belongings into a storage unit can save you time and effort, helping you avoid the hassle of managing your home’s entire contents as you deal with all the other ins and outs of moving to a new location.
Bulky furniture, large appliances, seasonal items, and outdoor furnishings and equipment that’s only used part of the year are ideal candidates for long-term storage. You can free up space in your new home while ensuring your treasured belongings are safe and preserved.
To make the storage experience as smooth as possible:
- DO make an inventory list of everything you plan to place in the unit. This helps determine which size unit you need. It’s also a good record to have if you ever need to make an insurance claim.
- DON’T wait until the last minute to book your unit, as you want to be sure the size you need is available.
What You Shouldn’t Put in Storage
Storage companies have rules about what you can and can’t keep in a unit. While many items are perfectly fine for long-term storage, others are best kept out.
- Perishable goods like food and plants can spoil or die, creating a health risk.
- Hazardous materials like chemicals, flammable items, or paint are often prohibited.
- Extreme temperatures and humidity can damage sensitive electronic equipment.
- Important documents and valuable jewelry are best stored in a safe deposit box.
A good rule of thumb is not to store anything you couldn’t bear to lose. Though your belongings are always well-protected at Georgetown Moving & Storage Company, keeping irreplaceable items with you ensures your storage experience is safe, practical, and compliant with facility policies.
Other Long-Term Storage Considerations
Several essential considerations should factor into your long-term storage strategy:
- Climate control: A climate-controlled unit is especially important for items sensitive to temperature and humidity, like wood furniture, musical instruments, and certain electronics, protecting them against mold, mildew, and warping.
- Preparation & protection: Special care should be taken with items going into long-term storage. For instance, thorough cleaning prevents mold from forming in appliances, and extra padding on furniture prevents dust accumulation, scratches, and damage if something falls on it.
- Insurance: Does your homeowners or renters insurance cover items in storage? Many people get additional coverage for items in long-term storage, as damage or loss risks can increase over time.
- Accessibility: If you’ll need to access your stored items occasionally, choose a storage facility with convenient access options.
Schedule Long-Term Storage With Georgetown Moving & Storage
Georgetown Moving & Storage provides the extra space you need to make your short- or long-distance move more organized. We offer a range of storage units throughout the DMV area, with facilities in Washington, DC; Arlington, VA; Alexandria, VA; and Landover, MD.
We make long-term storage as easy as possible, picking up your goods, storing them safely, and delivering them locally and out of state. We also pride ourselves on being an affordable local moving and storage company with flexible options that give our customers the best services at the best prices.
