General

Wrap breakable items in bubble wrap and store with linens.
Label all boxes
Place all smaller items in uniformly sized boxes. Put heavier items on the bottom and lighter items on the top. Uniformly sized boxes stack easier and conserve storage space.
Drain gasoline and oil from all small engines prior to storage to prevent fire or explosion.

Furniture and Houseware

Keep furniture items off the floor by placing them on pallets. Place blankets over furniture to protect from scratches and dust.
Cover mattresses in plastic to protect them from dust and moisture.
Treat leather items (couches, clothes, etc.) with a leather conditioner prior to storing them.
Store dishes and glassware in specially made dishpack boxes.
Clean and dry all appliances prior to storage. Do not leave anything inside of appliances to be stored. Store all appliances upright with doors ajar to allow ventilation.
* Pallets are available on request.

Personal Items

Protect mirrors and pictures from scratches and dust by storing them in similarly-sized knocked down boxes.
To prevent pictures from curling over time, place them between two pieces of cardboard taped together. We do not recommend that you store irreplaceable photos in your unit, however. Photos and negatives take up very little space and should be kept with you.
Have blankets, draperies, and clothing cleaned, put on hangers, and stored in wardrobe boxes.
When packing books, lay them flat. The spines will bend and warp over time if stood upright. Books are heavy, so pack them in small boxes. Do not pack them with more fragile items.

Items not to store:

Furs, jewelry and other expensive items; irreplaceable items; perishable, hazardous, or odor-producing items.
Please also see our list of Prohibited Items in our Policies section

Organize your unit

Use wooden pallets or boards beneath furniture and boxes to prevent damage from condensation.
Leave a small airspace between items and the wall of the unit for ventilation.
Store items that will not be needed to the rear of the unit and frequently-accessed items at the front.
Store heavy items on the bottom and lightweight items on top.
Store smaller, more valuable items to the rear of the storage unit and large items toward the front.
Cover everything with plastic sheeting which will protect items from dust and water damage. Wooden furniture should also be covered with blankets, and then plastic, to avoid abrasion and moisture damage.
Pack your storage unit as tightly as possible, which will save you space and protect items from moisture and dust.
Secure your unit with a a high quality disc (round) padlock. This type of lock is difficult to cut or break, and offers maximum protection for very little money. You may purchase one of these from Harbor Storage for $15.