How to Pack Your Items for Storage (Without Damage)

Whatever your reasons for using a storage unit, you will need to make sure to pack your items carefully so that they will be in good condition when it’s time to unpack them. The following tips will show you how to pack your items for storage while preventing damage and protecting your investment.

Packing a storage unit is very similar to packing for a move, except you will have to take a few extra precautions. Without constant monitoring and use, anything can become damaged in a storage unit, either by water, mold, or stress. A few preventative measures can make the difference between regaining your items or replacing them when your rental period is up.

Quick Materials Checklist (Before You Start)

Here’s a simple checklist to gather before you pack:

• Sturdy cardboard boxes (good for airflow and stacking)
• Plastic bins (better for keeping things dry, depending on contents)
• Packing tape
• Bubble wrap
• Unprinted newsprint (for fragile items like glasses, plates, and artwork)
• Stretch wrap or moving blankets/old sheets (for furniture protection)
• A sheet or canvas tarp (breathable cover for appliances and furniture)
• Optional: plastic construction sheeting and/or pallets (for floor protection + airflow)
• Optional: moisture absorbers like Damp Rid, charcoal briquettes, or kitty litter
• Desiccant packets (silica packets) for moisture-sensitive items

Preparing the Space

Before you break out the tape and bubble wrap, make sure the materials you have are sufficient for your items. Opt for boxes over bags, as boxes can stack, which saves space in a small unit. Cardboard boxes provide some air circulation, but plastic bins are better at keeping things dry, so consider the contents before you purchase the box. (You may want to have a combination of the two.)

If you are very concerned about moisture intrusion, you can line the floor of your unit with a layer of plastic construction sheeting and/or delivery pallets to protect your items from flooding. Pallets will also allow for air circulation, which keeps fabrics from getting too musty. Products like Damp Rid, charcoal briquettes, and even kitty litter can also help combat moisture and humidity in the air (a serious issue here in Orlando). Professional storage units can also be a great option for a secure, temperature-controlled space.

How to Pack China and Glassware for Storage

You have probably used newspaper for wrapping presents, but if you’re using it to wrap your glass and china before you pack, stop. Newspaper ink can transfer onto your glasses and plates, and it is very difficult to remove. Instead, use unprinted newsprint, which is available at your local moving supply store. When wrapping fragile items in bubble wrap, make sure the bubbles are facing out, otherwise they can leave marks on your glass.

How to Pack Electronics for Storage

Electronics should be protected with bubble wrap, but never completely wrapped in plastic. Plastic can trap moisture, which can fry your Xbox. Pack electronics high in your storage unit in a cardboard box along with some desiccant packets (those silica packets that come in shoes, home decor items, and certain foods). The cardboard box will allow air to circulate, and keeping electronics on the top of your stacks of boxes will prevent damage from weight as well as flooding.

However, remember that electronics are not made to withstand excessive heat or cold, so if your storage unit is not climate controlled, consider keeping your expensive electronics with you (or a friend) or selling them. Even a little money for your items would be better than returning to a flat screen you can no longer use.

How to Pack Appliances for Storage

Replacing appliances is a huge expense, so taking the steps to store them properly is vital. Before you pack and store your appliances, clean them all out, drain the pan on your refrigerator as well as the hoses of your dishwasher and washing machine, and clean the coils on the back. To prevent mold and mildew from growing inside the sealed compartments of your appliances, make sure you leave the doors cracked when you store them inside your storage unit.

To protect your appliances, cover them with a sheet or canvas tarp that allows for air circulation and keep them stored upright with the doors cracked.

How to Pack Furniture for Storage

When storing (or moving) furniture, disassemble each piece as much as possible and protect with bubble wrap, stretch wrap, or cardboard boxes. If tables cannot be disassembled, store them upside down on top of a mattress or other soft surface. If your chairs do not come apart, place one upside down on top of another (seats together) and secure them so they won’t fall over and damage other items. Sofas should be stored in the unit exactly as they would sit in your home. Setting them on their sides can cause excessive stress on joints that weren’t made for that purpose. Dressers and desks should be stored upright with a plastic or fabric cover (such as a blanket or a couple of old sheets) to protect the surface from any boxes you may store on top.

If you decide to clean your items before storage, make sure they are thoroughly dry before you wrap them. Trapping any moisture (even the small amount from a spray bottle) under a layer of plastic can cause warping, staining, or mold.

How to Pack Artwork for Storage

Pictures and mirrors should be wrapped in unprinted newsprint and stored in an appropriately sized box. (A box that’s too large can cause the item to shift and become damaged.) Store all art and mirrors upright on their sides (this saves space as well as protects them from damage).

If you have any valuable art, you should consider museum-quality, climate controlled storage to protect your investment. The average storage unit is no place for a $30,000 Picasso.

How to Pack Clothes for Storage

Before you store any part of your wardrobe, make sure every piece is thoroughly cleaned. Untreated dirt can cause a stain to set in over time. Pack your clothes in sealed plastic containers or appropriately sized, heavy-duty “zip-top” bags that have had the air removed. A couple of desiccant packets won’t hurt, but don’t pack mothballs, as the strong smell is very hard to remove.

In each box, pack heavy items on the bottom to prevent them from stretching or misshaping more delicate garments.

How to Pack Books for Storage

Books are easy to damage in storage because they’re heavy, they can warp if they absorb moisture, and they can get crushed if boxes are overloaded. To store books safely:

• Use small, sturdy boxes so they don’t become too heavy to lift.
• Don’t over-pack a box; tight boxes can damage covers and spines.
• Keep books away from the floor (use pallets or stack on top of other boxes).
• Avoid sealing books in airtight plastic where moisture can get trapped; choose containers thoughtfully based on your unit’s conditions.
• If you’re using desiccant packets in nearby boxes, keep them safely tucked in a way that won’t spill onto paper items.

(If you have valuable or collectible books, climate controlled storage is worth considering.)

How to Load and Stack a Storage Unit Safely

A great packing job can still go wrong if everything is stacked in a way that traps moisture or crushes fragile items. A few simple guidelines:

• Put heavier boxes and sturdy items on the bottom, lighter boxes on top.
• Keep electronics and anything moisture-sensitive higher up in the unit.
• Leave a little space for airflow when possible, especially around fabrics and upholstered furniture.
• Keep fragile boxes clearly labeled and avoid stacking anything heavy on them.
• Use breathable covers (sheets/canvas) for large items when needed; avoid trapping dampness under plastic.

Get Help From the Moving Experts

You may not be able to prevent placing your belongings in a storage unit, but you can take steps against damage from mold, mildew, and cramped quarters.

Whether you need to be moved across town, or you need a place to store your possessions, Cento Family Moving & Storage loves to keep your things safe and secure.

If you’re moving soon and want your items packed, moved, or stored the right way, reach out, our family team would love to help.