Storage Tips

Fragile or Delicate Items

Bedding, Clothing, Curtains, Drapes and Linens

Clothing, curtains, and drapes should be stored on hangers.  If hanging cartons are not available, such items should be carefully folded and stored in dresser drawers or cedar chests along with bedding and linens. Some facilities sell wardrobe style cardboard cartons, which help protect your clothes.  Food crumbs or stains should be removed before storage and avoid storing anything that may attract pests.

Books and Documents

Pack books flat to protect their spines.  Do not place boxes directly on concrete floors, but use pallets or skids to prevent pockets in the boxes.  Do not pack fragile items in the same box with books and do not overload.

Dishes and Glassware

Place a layer of packing inside the bottom at the top of boxes containing glassware.  All glass items should be individually wrapped: net cups and bowls and stand plates, saucers, and platters on edge.  Wrapped glasses should be placed near the top of cartons.  Again, fill all pockets with packing. Label all boxes containing glassware, and do not place heavy items on boxes containing glassware.

Holiday Decorations

Save the original cartons that contained delicate ornaments and pad the ornaments with packing paper or news print.  Wrap strings of lights around a piece of cardboard before placing in a carton lined with packing paper.

Lamps

Wrap large lamp bases in padding, wrap smaller lamps and place them in boxes, and pack delicate lamp shades separately.  Do not use newsprint to wrap lamp shades or any other goods that may be damaged by ink stains.  Do not store heavy items on cartons containing lamps or lamp shades.

Mirrors, Windows, and Screens

These items should be stored on edge, not flat.

Records and Phonographs

Records should be stored on edge to prevent warping.  When moving a record player, the tone arm and turntable should be secured to prevent damage.

Large Household Items

Appliances

A refrigerator or freezer should be thoroughly dry and stored with its door slightly ajar. Some goods can be stored inside large appliances and boxes can be stacked on top of stoves, refrigerators, and freezers. Make sure that stoves and cooking equipment are cleaned before they are stored.

Furniture

Place a pallet, corrugated cardboard mat, or plastic sheet on the floor and stand sofas and mattresses on end. Disassemble beds and tables and wrap table legs in paper.  If a table will not disassemble, place padding on the floor and place the table on its top with the legs pointing up.  Use dresser tops for stacking cartons and dresser drawers for linens or small delicate items.  Keep upholstery off the floor.  Most lightweight chairs can be stacked "seat to seat" or placed upside down on tables which cannot be disassembled.  Finally, place a light cotton (e.g. a bed sheet) dust cover on your furniture.  Some facilities sell covers for your convenience.

Metal Items

Bicycles and Other Metal Items

To retard rust, wipe all metal surfaces with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil.

Tools

Metal tools should be cleaned and wiped with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil to retard rust.  Long-handled tools such as rakes, shovels and hoes should be clean, lightly oiled and tied in bundles.