If you’re planning to store personal belongings or furniture, you might be uncertain about when you’ll retrieve them. Whether you’re in the midst of moving or heading out on an extended vacation, estimating the right storage timeline can be tricky. One key aspect to consider is how long your items will last in storage. At USA Storage, we offer flexible, month-to-month contracts, allowing you to store your items for as long as you need. Continue reading to learn more about what items you should avoid placing in long-term storage.
How Do I Prepare My Items for Long-Term Storage?
Proper preparation is crucial before placing your belongings in long-term storage. To ensure the safety of your items, it’s essential to follow these steps: secure the right packing supplies, disassemble any furniture, and use high-quality moving boxes for delicate items.
- Packing Supplies: Always use containers and padding when storing personal belongings. This prevents items from becoming dislodged or falling during storage.
- Disassemble Furniture: For easier storage, disassemble furniture before placing it in the unit. This approach requires less effort than moving entire pieces and maximizes space efficiency.
- Pack Delicate Items: To protect fragile items, use sturdy moving boxes and additional packing materials like bubble wrap or packing peanuts. Since delicate items are more susceptible to damage, extra protection is essential.
5 Items That Should Never Be Put in Long-Term Storage
- Important Documents, Papers, & Files – While some documents can be stored in climate-controlled units, vital records like birth certificates, passports, and medical records should be kept at home in a fireproof safe. These items are directly linked to your personal identity and should always be easily accessible.
- Dangerous or Corrosive Materials – It’s critical to avoid storing items like explosives, fuel, pesticides, propane tanks, guns, ammo, and batteries. Fluctuating temperatures and humidity can cause liquids to expand or contract and batteries to corrode. Always exercise caution when handling these materials.
- Family Heirlooms – Family heirlooms are often irreplaceable and should be treated with care. If your storage unit isn’t climate-controlled, temperature and humidity fluctuations can lead to mold, mildew, and damage. Although some heirlooms can be stored short-term in climate-controlled units, others should never be stored long-term without proper preparation and insurance.
- Illicit Items – It should go without saying—illegal items do not belong in a storage unit, no matter the duration. Storage providers are obligated to report any illegal activity to the authorities.
- Anything that Requires Regular Maintenance – Items with engines or complex moving parts, like vehicles or antique clocks, should not be stored long-term without periodic maintenance. When these items aren’t used regularly, they can deteriorate over time. If you must store them, make sure to check on them periodically to keep them in good working condition.
Contact USA Self Storage Today
Locally owned and family-managed, USA Self Storage is the perfect solution for you! We have locations all over central Arkansas and video surveillance to keep your belongings safe. Here at USA Self Storage, our contracts are flexible, meaning you can pay month-to-month. Contact us at 501-701-0707 to get your storage unit set up today!