Helpful Hints for Our Customers

GETTING ORGANIZED FOR YOUR MOVE:
Gather the supplies you will require such as boxes, tape, marking pens, twine , paper, wardrobe containers, and mattress covers.  For your convenience, supplies  are available at the Old Keene Road Self Storage Office. Select a unit size that you can pack full with your possessions. 

PACKING YOUR STORAGE UNIT:
- Plan your storage space. Place those items that you may need to access often in the front. Allow for walkways.
- Place tall items against the walls or in corners to make room for bulkier items.
- Prepare your unit by placing 2 x 4 boards or pallets on the floor, especially in unheated units.
- Make an inventory of your stored items and keep in a safe place.
- Use uniform size boxes for easy stacking. Stack lighter boxes on top of heavier boxes.
- Fill boxes to capacity to prevent collapsing. Do not over pack.
- Do not use newspaper to wrap any item that may be damaged by ink stains.
- List contents of boxes on sides and seal them with tape.

APPLIANCES:
Refrigerators and freezers should be completely clean and dry and stored with doors slightly open.  Some items can be stored inside large appliances. Use towels to protect items placed inside tubs.  Boxes can be stacked on top of stoves, refrigerators and freezers. Disconnect washing machine, dishwasher and dryer hoses, place them in plastic bags and store them inside the appliances.

BEDS:
Take apart  the bed frame then fasten rails and crosspieces together with rope or tape. Use mattress bags to keep mattresses clean. If you stand mattresses on their side support them  so they stand straight.

BEDDING, CLOTHING, CURTAINS, DRAPES AND LINENS:
Clothing, curtains, and drapes should  be stored on hangers or carefully folded and  stored in dresser drawers or chests along with bedding and linens. Food crumbs or stains should be removed before storing.  

BOOKS AND DOCUMENTS:
Pack books flat and alternate the bindings to protect their spines. Use packing  to fill empty spaces in the boxes. Avoid placing fragile items in the same box with books or overfill  cartons. Place book boxes on pallets, skids or shelves.  

CURTAIN RODS AND SHOWER RODS:
Remove hardware from the walls, place it  in a small plastic bag and tape around the rods.

DISHES AND GLASSWARE:
Place a layer of packing inside the bottom and at the top of the boxes. All glass items should be individually wrapped and packed in sturdy boxes. Nest cups and bowls in sets and stand plates, saucers and platters on edge. Wrapped glasses should be placed near the top of boxes. Fill all gaps with packing.  Ensure heavy items are not stacked on boxes containing dishes or glassware.

DRESSERS AND  BUREAUS:
Furniture with drawers can be utilized as storage places for pictures, knick-knacks, china, silverware, small items, etc.    Wrap items  in tablecloths, towels, or blankets to prevent breakage.  Do not overload drawers. It may help to remove drawers when actually moving the furniture. Then secure drawers with a pad or blanket (tape can remove the finish from furniture) and tie with rope.

FURNITURE:
Place a pallet or plastic sheeting on the floor and stand sofas and mattresses on end.  Cover upholstered furniture to protect against dust. Do not place heavy or sharp objects on top of upholstered furniture. Tables with removable legs should be taken apart to save space. Otherwise,  place padding on the floor and set  the  table on its top with legs pointing up.  

LAMPS:
Wrap large lamp bases in padding. Wrap smaller lamps and place them in boxes. Pack delicate lampshades separately.   Do not store heavy items on cartons containing lamps or shades.

METAL OBJECTS, TOOLS AND GARDENING EQUIPMENT:
Protect tools and bicycle from rust by oiling them before storing. Store away from exposed items to avoid oil staining.   Drain hoses, coil them and pack in cartons. Fill the remaining space with lawn sprinklers, small garden tools, etc.  Shovels, hoes, rakes and hoses can be stored together in empty garbage cans. Stack extra garbage cans inside one another.   Drain fuel out of any gas powered equipment.

MIRRORS AND PICTURES:
Mirrors and pictures should be wrapped in cardboard, marked FRAGILE and stored on edge.

TELEVISIONS, RADIOS, STEREOS AND OTHER ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT:
Box upright in cartons that are well padded on all sides. Mark  all sides with arrows pointing up. Pack components and cables in well-padded cartons marked fragile.

RECORDS, CDs, DVDs AND TAPES:
Tie CD`s in small bundles.  Use small boxes to avoid over packing. Fill unused spaces with wadded paper. Pack DVD`s and cassettes in the same manner. Records should be stored on edge to prevent warping. 

PROHIBITED ITEMS
Some items should never be placed inside a storage unit.  These include live animals, perishables, liquids, explosives, flammable liquids (paint thinners, gasoline, solvents, paint, etc.) and fuels. Illegal substances are also prohibited from storage at our facility. 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN OLD KEENE ROAD SELF STORAGE