4 Items That Call for Careful Packing and Storage

Whether you plan to move to another city or just down the block, you might need to place some of your possessions in a secure storage facility. Maybe you'd prefer to complete the move in several stages, or maybe you don't have room in the new place for everything. However, improper storage can harm the items in question.



Since some objects require more specialized care than others, you can benefit from learning how to pack these possessions properly and store them in the environment best suited to their needs. Take a look at four examples of items that may call for some extra packing and storage TLC.

1. Electronic Components

Electronic components such as desktop computers, laptops, CD players, printers, and stereo gear can easily sustain damage, not just in the hectic activity of a move, but even when sitting quietly in a storage unit. Their biggest enemies include extreme temperatures, high humidity levels, and dust.

Whenever possible, pack your electronic items in their original boxes and cushioning materials to ensure a snug fit and sufficient protection against jolts and bumps. Otherwise, find the closest size match you can and fill any gaps with packing peanuts, bubble wrap, air pillows, or crumpled newspaper.

To prevent dust from finding its way into these delicate components, make sure to seal the containers tightly with packing tape. Since heat, cold, and moisture can all affect electronic gear, consider investing in climate-controlled storage. A little extra expense now could spare you the need to buy new equipment later.

2. Digital and Analog Discs

In one sense, CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray discs have made packing, moving, and storage much easier by reducing the amount of space that you might otherwise need for mountains of documents and videocassettes. However, these media devices can also prove vulnerable to the same environmental threats that can damage electronics.

Climate control can help you maintain your discs in a safe room-temperature range, insulating them against extreme temperatures that might damage them. If you will store recordable discs, pack them so that no light reaches them, since light exposure can affect the dyes that hold the data.

If you must keep your discs in a cold environment for any length of time, give them plenty of time to warm up gradually after you move them to your new residence. If they thaw out too quickly, the structural stress on the discs might damage them or shorten their usable lifespan.

Vinyl records require at least as much environmental control and care in packing as digital discs because of their tendency to warp. Don't make the mistake of stacking the records horizontally, as this orientation can damage both the records and their covers. Try not to pack them together too tightly, which can also promote damage.

3. Books

If you think books need no special care compared to sensitive digital discs, think again. The paper in these items can easily fall prey to the elements over time unless you take some steps to keep them intact. Before you even pack your books, check them for any traces of foods or liquids that might otherwise invite mold growth.

Pack your books vertically, just as you'd display them on your bookshelf. This orientation allows the books to support each other and retain their proper shape. To protect the books against dust and pests, pack them in sturdy plastic storage bins before placing them in your storage unit.

4. Upholstery

Although you'd probably prefer simply to move your reclining chairs, sofas, and other upholstered furniture directly to your new residence, those items may need to sit in storage for a while first. They may also require some special storage preparation due to their large size and delicate materials.

To clear away debris that might promote deterioration, deep clean your upholstered furniture before placing it in storage. Use properly fitted slipcovers to keep dust off your upholstery. Invest in a unit large enough to accommodate these items in their normal positions, instead of positioning them on end to skimp on storage space.

Coffee's Moving and Storage can provide professional storage options as part of your next move. Contact us today.