Tips & Hints

What you will need

Essential packing items, various size boxes, white packing paper, tissue paper, black marker, tape and tape dispenser, box cutter knife, bubble wrap, mattress protector bags and lounge suite protectors.

It’s a good idea to use a couple of different size boxes, smaller stronger boxes for packing heavy items, larger boxes for packing lighter bulky items, remember if the boxes are all different sizes they won’t stack well into your storage unit, if they’re all the same size you can stack them neatly and efficiently like a block wall.

You can often ask for free boxes from department stores, they have a recycle bin for their boxes, its important to pick boxes that are the same size. You can reuse second hand boxes that are destined to be recycled, remember it’s environmentally friendly to recycle your cardboard boxes once you’ve finished with them.

A good estimate on how many boxes you’ll need is for an apartment or small flat you will need between 30 to 50 boxes, or for a medium 3 to 4 bedroom home you will need between 50 to 80 boxes

Packing your belongings at home

Packing and labelling boxes room by room saves time and will make your life easier when you come to unpack later on.

Pack everything into boxes, it will protect your belongings from damage, it’s easier to transport and easier and safer to stack the boxes in your storage unit.

Label your cardboard boxes on two sides and on the top, face the label to the front so you can always see what’s inside each box, and write its destination i.e. kitchen, lounge, bedroom? This will also save you time if you need to find something that’s been packed away, and if it’s been some time, you’ll have forgotten what’s inside the boxes.

Fridge and freezers need to be emptied, defrosted and dried out before moving, preferably the night before moving day. Drain out the hoses on your washing machine.

Dismantle as many objects as possible, e.g. beds, tables, swing sets and cots.

Use a plastic mattress protector to cover mattresses, plastic covers for lounge suites and chairs.

To prevent an injury pack heavy items like books, dinner plates and tools in small boxes under 20kgs which are easier to lift.

Fill your boxes to the top, half empty boxes may bulge or collapse damaging the contents. Tape yourboxes securely across from side to side in both directions on the top and the bottom.

Protect fragile and breakable items by wrapping each item in paper or bubble wrap, put some lighter items on top if the box is getting too heavy, cushions and towels are great for filling gaps at the top.

Always write FRAGILE or put a FRAGILE sticker on boxes with breakables.

What not to Store

Any goods that are illegal, stolen, inflammable, explosive, environmentally harmful, hazardous, perishable or that are a risk to the property or any person. e.g. Chlorine, acid, paint and petrol.

Moving your Belongings

Fridge and freezers, tape the doors shut in transit, and transport them the correct way up.

FRAGILE boxes with breakables should always transported be on top of other boxes or in the car, never underneath heavy boxes.

Packing your Storage Unit

Remember, you’re paying for the floor space, so make the most efficient use of the available space, including the floor to ceiling height of your storage unit.

A small space will cost you less if it’s packed tightly and efficiently. If you intend to visit your storage unit frequently, then a larger well organised space that you can access might be more convenient for you?

Fridge and freezers, remove the tape from transporting and leave the doors open to avoid mould and a bad smell over time, store them the correct way up, and cover with a blanket or sheet by drapping it over top for protection.
Use a plastic protectors to cover mattresses, lounge suites and chairs, but don’t seal them up with tape, you need to allow them to breath, they can sweat if they’re sealed and packed tightly inbetween other belongings.

Pack large heavy bulky items (wardrobes, cupboards and fridges) on the ground at the rear of the storage unit, stack smaller lighter items on top of these, boxes can be placed underneath or inside larger objects like tables. Always stack heavy items on the bottom, to light items on top. Same size boxes can be stacked neatly floor to ceiling against a wall to maximise your storage space. Items such as lounge suites, beds and tables can be placed on their ends or sides to save space.

Don’t place heavy or sharp objects on top of upholstered furniture; be careful with leather items.

If you need to access some items or boxes while your belongings are in storage, make sure you remember to pack these at the front with labels clearly visible. You don’t want to have to unpack the storage unit, just to find an important box at the back.

Cover your entire unit with a light plastic cover

Unpacking

Wipe out fridges and freezers, and let them rest after moving them, the gases need time to settlebefore you plug them in and turn them on.

Move each box to its final destination before unpacking, i.e. kitchen, bathroom, garage.