Appliances:
Refrigerators and/or freezers should be thoroughly dry and stored with doors slightly ajar. Some goods can be stored inside large appliances and boxes can be stacked on top of stoves, refrigerators and freezers. Make sure that stoves and cooking equipment are cleaned before they are stored.

Bicycles and other metal items:
To retard rust, wipe all metal surfaces with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil.

Books and documents:
Pack books flat to protect their spines. Do not place boxes directly on concrete floors, but use pallets or skids to prevent moisture absorption. Use packing to fill out empty pockets in the boxes. Do not pack fragile items in the same box with books and do not overload.

Bedding, clothing, curtains, drapes and linens:
Clothing, curtains and drapes should be stored on hangers. If the items are too large for a box or cannot be hung, such items should be carefully folded and stored in dresser drawers, cedar chests or wardrobe style cardboard cartons along with bedding and linens. Food crumbs or stains should be removed before storing. Avoid storing anything that may attract pests.

Dishes and glassware:
Place a layer of packing inside the bottom and at the top of boxes containing glassware. Ideally these items should be stored in a specifically designed dish pack box. All glass items should be individually wrapped: nest cups and bowls and stand plates, saucers and platters on edge. Wrapped glasses should be placed near the top of cartons. Again, fill all pockets with packing materials. Label all boxes containing glassware, and do not place heavy items on boxes containing glassware.

Furniture:
Place a pallet, corrugated cardboard mat, or plastic sheet on the floor and stand sofas and mattresses on end. Disassemble beds and tables and wrap table legs in paper. If a table will not disassemble, place padding on the floor and place the table on its top with the legs pointing up. Use dresser tops for stacking cartons and dresser drawers for linens or small, delicate items. Keep upholstery off the floor. Most lightweight chairs can be stacked "seat to seat" or placed upside down on tables which cannot be disassembled. Finally, place a light cotton (e.g., a bed sheet) dust cover on your furniture.

Holiday decorations:
Save the original cartons that contained delicate ornaments and pad the ornaments with packing paper or newsprint. Wrap strings of lights around a piece of cardboard before placing in a carton lined with packing paper.

Lamps:
Wrap large lamps and place them in boxes and pack delicate lamp shades separately. Do not use newsprint to wrap lamp shades or any other goods that may be damaged by ink stains. Do not store heavy items on cartons containing lamp shades.

Mirrors, windows and screens:
These items should be stored on edge, not flat.

Tools:
Metal tools should be cleaned and wiped with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil to retard rust. Long-handled tools such as rakes, shovels and hoes should be clean, lightly oiled and tied in bundles.

Pack your storage space carefully
Pack and stack carefully. This will minimize the amount of space you'll need and will prevent damage. Place frequently used items near the door and valuables in the rear of the unit. Pack heavy items in small boxes to make them easier to carry and place them on the bottom of stacks to prevent any damage to your belongings.

Remember not to store pershable goods or food that may attract pests. Moving and storage of any combustables such as solvents, paints, gas, propane tanks, etc. is STRICTLY PROHIBITED!

Make sure you lock your unit, read your lease agreement for termination and payment regulations, and get a contact name at the storage facility. Check with you insurance agent to make sure your goods are properly covered when not at your principle residence.