How to pack a storage unit so it comes out like it went in
Helping with valley moves since 1986 has taught us what works and what ends in a warped dresser. Here is the honest order of operations, plus prep notes for furniture, electronics, mountain gear and rigs.
Order of operations
Six steps that make the difference
Get the size right first
Measure your biggest piece (the sofa, the mattress, the wardrobe) and check our size guide before you book. If you will need things back out during the term, size up so you can leave a walkway down the middle.
Gather supplies before moving day
Boxes in two or three sizes, tape, a permanent marker, moving blankets, and pallets or a heavy plastic sheet for the floor. Bring your disc lock too.
Everything goes in clean and dry
Nothing wet or damp. Empty the dresser drawers or pull them out, wipe down appliances and let them dry fully, and make sure furniture holds no food, soil or moisture.
Build the floor first
Boxes never sit straight on concrete. Lay pallets down, put the heavy and rarely needed things at the back and the bottom, and keep the walkway clear.
Pack and label like a warehouse
Heavier items in smaller boxes. Fill the empty space inside a dresser or a sofa with softer things. Wrap fragile pieces in blankets, label boxes on the side so you can read them without unstacking, and photograph the layout before you lock up.
Leave yourself a path
Keep the boxes you will need soonest at the front, or write down where they are. A slightly bigger unit with a walkway beats a tight fit you have to dig through.
Prep by category
What to do before the truck is loaded
Pick the group that matches what you are storing. Everything here applies to indoor units; for outdoor rigs see the last card.
Furniture and soft goods
- Empty the drawers or pull them out and tape them shut so nothing shifts or sags.
- Wrap wood and upholstered pieces in moving blankets rather than plastic, which traps moisture against the finish.
- Stand mattresses on edge inside a mattress bag, and keep them off the floor on a pallet.
- Raise sofas, chairs and dressers a few inches on blocks or pallets so air moves underneath.
- Take cushions, pillows, curtains and bedding home, or seal them in plastic bins.
Electronics, documents and valuables
- Keep electronics in their original boxes where you can, and raise them off the floor on a pallet or shelf.
- Move paper, photos, records and fabric into sealed plastic bins. Cardboard pulls moisture and softens.
- Wine, art, instruments, antiques and wood furniture belong in a climate controlled unit, not a cold garage.
- Do not store cash, jewelry, prescription medication or irreplaceable originals in any unit.
- Photograph what is inside before you lock up. It helps with your own insurance records.
Seasonal and mountain gear
- Skis, boards, boots and poles must be fully dry before they go in, or the bases rust and the foam holds water.
- Hang bikes or store them with the tires slightly low, and leave the derailleurs oiled.
- Run snowblowers, mowers and generators dry, or drain the fuel, before a long storage season.
- Rinse rafts, paddleboards, wetsuits and fishing gear, dry them completely, and keep them out of direct sun.
- Holiday decor goes in labeled bins or the original boxes, and the tree comes out of its stand before it goes in a tube.
RVs, boats and trailers
- Wash and dry the rig, close the vents and windows, and use a fitted cover for sun and snow.
- Drain the water heater, fresh tank and lines before winter, and add antifreeze wherever the manufacturer says to.
- Chock the wheels, fit tire covers, and tell us the total length including the hitch so your spot is easy to get in and out of.
- Disconnect the battery or leave it on a maintainer, and note your space number so you can find it in the dark.
- Anything on a trailer should be registered, insured and in operable condition to park in our lot.
Not sure a standard unit will do?
If it is wood furniture, art, wine, instruments, photos or documents, a climate controlled unit is the difference between storing it and aging it. Availability is limited, so it is worth asking early.
Still stuck on size?
Call 970-927-9494 and describe the room. We will tell you the size we would use, and whether the unit you are looking at is open today.
Packing questions
How should I pack a storage unit?
Start with pallets on the floor, put the heaviest and least used items at the back and the bottom, keep boxes off the concrete, fill the empty space inside furniture, and label everything on the side. Leave a walkway if you will need things out during the term.
Do I need a pallet in my storage unit?
It is the single best thing you can do. Concrete sweats and water runs along the floor, so pallets or a heavy plastic sheet keep cardboard, wood and fabric from wicking moisture all winter.
Should I use plastic bins or cardboard boxes?
Plastic bins are the better call for anything that matters, because they seal and they do not soften. Cardboard is fine for sturdy items over a short term, but keep it up off the floor.
Can I store a mattress in a storage unit?
Yes. Put it in a mattress bag, stand it on edge rather than flat, and keep it off the floor on a pallet. Never store a mattress that is damp, because that is how mildew starts.
How do I prepare an RV or boat for winter storage?
Drain the water heater, tanks and lines, add antifreeze where the manufacturer recommends, disconnect the battery or leave it on a maintainer, wash and dry the rig, chock the wheels and fit a cover. Then park it in our gated lot and visit any time with your code.
What should I never put in a storage unit?
Hazardous, flammable or explosive materials, perishable food, living things and illegal items are all off limits. Also skip wet furniture, fuel that has not been drained, and anything you could not bear to lose, like originals or jewelry. Call us if you are unsure about something.
Space ready when you are
Reserve online in minutes, or call 970-927-9494 and we will help you size it, prep it and get your gate code.