Handy Storage Tips

A little planning can help you make the most of your storage unit, protect your belongings, and make move-in day much easier.

Plan for Access

Think about whether you’ll need to get to your items while they’re in storage. For long-term storage with little or no access needed, you can pack the unit more tightly. For items you may need later, leave a clear path from the door and create small walkways between boxes or furniture.

Use Boxes Whenever Possible

“A box for everything, and everything in a box” is one of the best ways to protect your belongings. Use sturdy, uniformly sized boxes so they stack safely and make better use of vertical space. Stack boxes no higher than shoulder height for easier access and safer handling.

Sturdy moving boxes are available for purchase in our office.

Prepare the Storage Unit

Before moving items in, consider placing plastic sheeting on the floor as a moisture barrier. Extend the sheeting a few inches up the walls where possible. Leave a small air gap between your belongings and the storage unit walls to encourage airflow.

Load the Unit Strategically

Place large, heavy items toward the back and along the sides first. Keep lighter boxes and smaller items on top or in open spaces. Items you may need to access should be stored near the front of the unit.

Protect Furniture and Mattresses

Do not place heavy or sharp items on upholstered furniture. Use protective covers for mattresses, sofas, and chairs to help keep them clean. A lightweight dust cover can also be placed over stored items for added protection.

Check on Your Belongings

Visit your storage unit periodically to make sure your belongings remain secure and in good condition. After you move in, our staff is not authorized to enter your unit, so regular check-ins are the best way to monitor your stored items and address any concerns promptly.

Keep an Inventory

Create a list of everything you place in storage. Photos, descriptions, and box labels can make it much easier to find items later and provide helpful documentation if needed.

Space Saving Packing Tips

Begin packing a couple of days before you move. Careful packing pays by preventing breakage and loss of small and fragile items. And moving time is a great time to weed out old, unwanted or unneeded possessions. They only take up storage space.

Another thing, you’ll want plenty of sturdy corrugated cartons, packing paper, sealing tape, and a magic marker-type pen. Then if you follow these simple packing tips, they will save you trouble, help avoid damage to your goods and make maximum use of the space in your storage unit.

Appliances

Tape all appliance doors shut when moving. Wedge doors open in storage. Secure all moveable parts with paper or wedge. Wrap a paper pad around each item for protection. Freezer, refrigerator, washer and dryer make excellent packing cartons for bedding, towels and clothing. Always clean your stove before moving and give utility companies a few days’ notice to disconnect appliances.

Beds

Lash bed rails together with rope or plastic tape. As you take beds apart, mark all pieces so you know which goes with which headboard, etc. Place covers on mattresses to keep them clean during moving and storage.

Books

Books get heavy in bunches. Pack them in small cartons, holding weight to under 30 pounds for easy lifting. Line all book cartons with plastic and fill empty spaces with packing paper. (Garbage bags work well as a liner).

Bureaus

Make your bureau drawers earn their passage as extra packing boxes. Fill them with a few small and fragile items. Sweaters, blankets, and towels make excellent padding.

Cartons

Go easy on your back. Hold weight of all packing cartons under 30 pounds. With a marking pen, list contents of each carton on the side. For load sizing, multiply length x width x height of each carton if that information is not already on the carton. Make sure each carton is filled completly to prevent collapse. Fill unused space with newspaper.

Chairs

Protect all chair legs by wrapping them in packing paper. Leave slipcovers on upholstered chairs and cover them with chair covers.

Clothing

Clothing that ordinarily hangs in a closet should be packed in a wardrobe carton. We sell these at our storage office.

Dishes

Take your time when packing dishes. Wrap each one with packing tissue and cushion them in the carton with crumpled packing paper. Keep dish pack cartons under 30 pounds for easy handling and safe riding.

Glasses

Pack glasses carefully. Wrap with tissue and pad with crumpled packing paper just like dishes.

Lamps

Pack lamp shades in individual boxes with plenty of paper for padding. Lamp bases ride securely in bureau drawers, freezers and washing machines. For safety, pad them well with towels and blankets.

Storage Use Guidelines

The following guidelines apply to mini-storage use and are based on state and local regulations, as well as American Patriot Self Storage policies. Before move-in, each occupant is required to sign a written storage agreement. Facility policies and the written agreement may be subject to change.

Site Rules

  • Smoking and alcohol use are prohibited anywhere on the storage facility premises.
  • Firearms are prohibited at the storage facility.
  • The occupant is responsible for providing and maintaining the lock used to secure their storage space.
  • Management may limit hours of operation, require verification of an occupant’s identity, and inspect vehicles entering the premises.

Prohibited Items

The following items may not be stored in any unit or brought onto the premises:

  • Living creatures
  • Used tires
  • Firearms
  • Explosives
  • Flammable items of any kind, including gas, diesel, kerosene, oil, paint, and similar materials
  • Drugs or drug paraphernalia
  • Hazardous items of any kind
  • Hazardous or toxic waste materials of any kind
  • Items that produce odors of any kind
  • Any item deemed inappropriate by facility management or staff
  • Any item that negatively affects other tenants, the property, or the facility

Prohibited Uses

Storage units may not be used for the following:

  • Playing musical instruments
  • Working in the unit, including working on cars, motorcycles, hobbies, crafts, or similar activities
  • Any illegal activity or use
  • Any use deemed inappropriate by facility management or staff

Uses Requiring Written Permission

The following may be allowed only with prior written permission from facility management:

  • Garage sales, auctions, flea market sales, or other public sales
  • Use of electrical appliances or equipment in the leased space or on the premises
  • Storage of items valued over $5,000
  • Assignment or sublease of any portion of the storage space
  • Alterations to the premises, including painting, cutting, drilling, or similar modifications
  • Any other use approved in writing by facility management