De-cluttering, moving house and home, down-sizing... all involve the seemingly duanting task of going through 'your stuff' and deciding what to do with it. If you have considered putting some of your 'not needed right now but I must keep it' valuables, furniture and various 'stuff' into storage, we've made this Long-Term Storage Guide just for you!
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Stuff Assessment
Step one is to assess and make a list of all the goods and furniture you intend to store, right now as well as a few months or years down the line. Forming a clear picture of what needs putting away and then recording it on a list will put you on the front foot of what can sometimes feel like an overwhelming mammoth task. Starting with a clear picture of your long-term storage needs will help curb unnecessary anxiety.
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Book your stuff's safe space
Contact our friendly onsite manager Sno, at Alumina Storage Park in Richards Bay for rates and to book your stuff's safe space for the next while. Sno Mkhize (onsite manager) 035 751 1022 or 083 457 2925 | admin@vwproperties.co.za
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Explore Storage Unit Insurance options.
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Pack your stuff for a long sleepover in storage
Proper packing and boxing of your valuables will preserve them for years to come. Invest in heavy-duty packing boxes or plastic bins (with wheels if you're feeling fancy). Sturdy boxes allow for safe stacking and space-saving allowing you to make the most of your storage.
Label and number your boxes and create an inventory as you pack.
Extra points if you create a map/plan of your storage unit. Marking where boxes are packed in your unit on a map or plan to accompany your inventory will save you guesswork and time moving boxes around when you return to your unit to retrieve items in the far away future... you might think you'll remember exactly which boxes are where, but after a few months 'out of sight' this information will indeed be 'out of mind'.
Avoid using plastic packets. Plastic packets can retain traces of water, in the long haul the tinniest droplets of water can cause damage to your furniture, books and other valuables.
Clean all appliances before boxing and storing, especially kitchen appliances containing traces of food which will lead to mould and mildew. Use a sterilising solution.
We recommend covering your storage unit's floor with canvas tarp to protect your furniture and valuable from any dampness on the floor causing damage.
Vacuum and thoroughly clean all furniture, removing all dust and dirt will discourage mould and mildew. A layer of polish to wooden furniture will help protect your wooden furniture for the long haul.
Cover furniture with white cotton sheets to create a dust barrier between your furniture and other items. (Coloured sheets may bleed and stain your furniture over time, especially in our humidity.
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It's time to move it move it!
What's left to do but get your rear into gear and take your organised self to your stuff's safe space and get it all in there. Rather than packing back wall to front, think smart and pack boxes and furniture with room for isles to walk down so that you can easily come back to your unit with your inventory and map and easily locate the box you need.