Protecting Fragile Items in a Storage Unit

Your more fragile items will demand more attention when placing them in storage. From valuable porcelain collections to treasured family keepsakes, these often irreplaceable items require meticulous handling to prevent damage. If you need to store delicate keepsakes and other fragile items, use these tips from the storage experts to ensure they remain pristine. 

Choosing the Best Storage Options

You’ve got a few options when choosing the best storage option for your items: shipping containers, traditional storage units, and climate-controlled storage. While the latter is excellent for items like wine, musical instruments, and valuable antiques, these units are overkill for most storage needs and are expensive as well.

Consider the following factors when choosing the best self-storage option for you.

Amount and type of items – Assess the volume and type of items you need to store. Shipping containers and units are available in various sizes, making it easy to get the right amount of storage for your needs and budget. 

Duration of storage – Choosing between long-term and short-term storage can significantly affect your costs when using traditional storage units. On the other hand, shipping containers from 1800 We Store It offer the same prices with affordable weekly payments and no long-term contracts. 

Access requirements – Will you need to access your storage regularly, occasionally, or not at all? A shipping container placed on your property provides the ultimate in accessibility and convenience, but it can also be stored in a warehousing facility for as long as you need for additional security. 

Climate control needs – Items vulnerable to temperature and humidity changes are best stored in a climate-controlled unit. However, these types of units are much more expensive and generally only available in metropolitan areas. 

Budget – Storage costs don’t just include the weekly price of the unit. You must also consider packing materials and transport to ensure you stay within your budget. Shipping containers are an excellent alternative to traditional storage units as they are delivered to your door, saving time and money in transport. Good quality packing materials cost a little more, but are a better option for guaranteeing you keep everything in one piece. 

Preparing Fragile Items for Storage

Safely storing fragile items starts with adequate preparation. Here’s how to protect your more vulnerable items.

Cleaning

Clean and dry every item, as dust and scratches can mark and scratch delicate surfaces, and moisture can lead to mould growth and other damage. 

Use High-Quality Packing Materials

Always opt for high-quality packing materials as cheaper options won’t provide the same level of protection. Packing materials you may need could include:

• Bubble wrap
• Packing paper
• Packing peanuts or foam padding
• sturdy boxes (clear plastic containers are more robust than cardboard)
• Labels and markers

Old newspapers and magazines are not recommended as packing paper as the ink can transfer to items and be difficult, if not impossible, to remove. 

Wrap Every Item

Wrap every item individually to help prevent them from bumping against each other. For extra support, vases and other hollow items should be filled with crumpled packing paper. Additional padding, such as bubble wrap, can cover corners and protruding parts. 

Pack Securely

Pack everything in boxes for extra protection while keeping the following tips in mind:

• Use appropriately sized boxes that are not too large or too small
• Line the bottom of each box with a cushioning material
• Place heavier items at the bottom and lighter ones on top
• Fill empty spaces with packing peanuts or crumpled to prevent shifting
• Add a finally layer of cushioning before sealing

Avoid over packing boxes, as this can cause damage. It’s always better to use more boxes and pack less densely.

Label Boxes Clearly

Clear labelling and listing the contents of each box will make it easier to locate a specific item without moving boxes around and risking damage from drops. Labels also help you know which side to keep upright.

Where to Get Affordable Storage and Professional Service

The above tips will help protect your fragile and delicate items from damage while they are in storage. Find out more about your storage options by contacting 1800 We Store It, the storage professionals in Melbourne for more than a decade. 

1800 We Store It offers a range of storage options to suit every need, from small 6ft units to spacious 20ft containers capable of holding the contents of a 3-4 bedroom home. Their flexible services include mobile storage, self-storage, and even on-site storage, allowing customers to choose the most convenient option.