San Diego Self Storage

Moving & Packing Tips

Tips for Selecting a San Diego Self Storage Facility & How To Pack Self Storage

Discount Movers hopes that these San Diego Storage tips will be very helpful for you with your upcoming move. The more you understand how to properly pack and load a San Diego storage unit, the better protected your furniture and home belongings will be. If you are interested in having Discount Movers move, pack and/or load YOUR truck into San Diego storage, please call Discount Movers for a free quote request. 858-490-0155.

When Moving into San Diego Storage, Fill Your Moving Boxes to The TOP
To prepare for storage in San Diego, completely fill your moving boxes to the top, even if you need to place crumpled newspapers to fill in the gaps. Moving boxes that are only half-filled tend to collapse, (both on the moving truck and inside of the San Diego storage unit) when anything's placed on top of them. Filling your moving boxes to the top is the single most important packing tip you can learn for successfully storing and moving in San Diego.

Storage & Moving in San Diego Need Access to Items in Storage?
Please let your San Diego movers know if you need full access to all of your belongings while they are inside of your self-serve storage unit. If you do need access to your entire San Diego storage unit, then request that your movers leave a very small path between your moving boxes and your furniture?

This will provide a path of access in your San Diego storage unit for future use.

1. Pack and Store 80% of your Belongings into 1.5 Cubic Small and 3.0 Cubic Medium Moving Boxes
Small 1.5 Cubic moving boxes are the most valuable size of moving boxes to protect your goods while you are in San Diego storage. Most items in your home should be packed in the 1.5 sized box. This moving box can be used for almost anything such as books, CDs, VHS, collectables, Silverware etc. The reason the 1.5 cubic moving box are so important is because small boxes do not get too heavy for the movers to easily transport, they stack well in storage and in a truck, AND there is less probability of items moving around and breaking inside the box.

The second most important size of box for moving and storing is the medium moving box size, otherwise known as the 3.0. Medium boxes are ideal for toys, pots and pans and Tupperware. Overall 80% of all your belongings should be placed in either small or medium moving boxes. Larger boxes should only be used for lightweight larger items like linens, sheets, towels and pillows.

2. Use Certified Moving Boxes that are designed for Moving and Storing
Discount Movers recommends using "certified moving boxes" to pack your belongings. Certified moving boxes are specifically designed for moving and storing. With stronger fibers and consistent sizes for stacking; moving boxes will not crush when stacked, they are easier to layer, and the uniformed sizing will help you get the most use out of your San Diego storage space. Many major retail stores will label a box a "moving box," when it is really a shipping box. Look on the bottom of the box. If it says it is certified for freight and shipping, then do not use it for moving.

3. Understand Your Insurance Coverage While in San Diego Storage
Call your rental insurance, home owners insurance and/or moving insurance provider to see if your belongings will be covered while they are in storage under your policy. Most of the time there is no storage insurance options that are given from the storage provider. Be sure to keep an inventory of everything you place in storage. Click here for San Diego Moving Insurance Information.

4. Hire a San Diego Professional Loader and You Will Save Money Long-Term on Storage
Chose the smallest San Diego storage unit you can fit your belongings into, and have your San Diego movers pack it to the ceiling. You do not want to pay for storage space you are not using. You might save a little money by loading your San Diego storage unit yourself, but professional movers know how to maximize space, which will in turn decrease your costs every month! It will also save you money if your belongings are safe and secure. Please note, most San Diego storage companies will have a calculator that you can use to determine the most appropriate size.

5. Place Heavy Items on the Floor and Lighter Items on Top in Your San Diego Storage Unit
Professional San Diego movers will place heavier items like drawers and wardrobes on the floor and lighter/fragile items on top. Fill all the spaces in your San Diego storage unit with soft items like bedding and towels.

6. Remember, It Can Get Hot in a San Diego Storage Unit
If you're storing anything valuable in your San Diego Storage unit that could be sensitive to weather - ask about climate controlled storage units. Even though San Diego has a consistent temperature, some San Diego storage facilities can get very hot in the summer. Climate controlled storage restricts the temperature and the humidity. This can also help prevent mildew.

7. Leave Small Spaces in you San Diego Storage Unit to Prevent Mildew
The humidity in your San Diego self-storage unit can cause your furniture to warp and your appliances to mildew. Leaving small spaces between your belongings, inside of your San Diego storage unit, is helpful in creating circulation to prevent mildew.

8. Pick a San Diego Storage location that is Close to your Home
Chose a San Diego storage location that will be close to your new home if you are moving locally within San Diego and will need access to your belongings.

9. Put Plastic Sheeting on the Floor of your San Diego Storage Unit
Lay down plastic sheeting on the floor of your unit before your San Diego movers arrive. This helps prevent dust.

10. Decrease your San Diego Storage Costs and have a Garage Sale!
Storage costs depend on the space. The more San Diego storage space you need, the higher the price. Therefore, it is a wonderful opportunity to hold a garage sale before you move you're your new San Diego storage unit.

11. Prevent Mold in Your Refrigerator while in San Diego Storage
To prevent mold inside of a refrigerator you are storing, keep the door slightly open. This helps prevent mold from growing.

12. Moving out of California and Need Storage?
If you are moving out of California and need storage in the meantime, you may want to consider using a company that enables you to load your belongings in a crate, store them, and then move to your new home. This is called portable storage. Click here for information on San Diego Portable Storage and Loading Services.

13. Metal devices inside of San Diego Storage
If you’re putting anything that is metal in a storage unit, such as tools, lawnmowers, appliances, it is best to put rust protector on them first. If you have a rag with oil, that can also work well.

14. Extra precautions with Security in your Storage Unit in San Diego
Most San Diego storage units will provide you with several different types of security. However, it’s still advisable to take a few extra precautions to prevent theft. Pack your San Diego storage unit so that your most valuable items are at the back and never label a box with “valuable items.” Lastly be sure to purchase a high quality lock for your door.

15. P lace any valuables and fragile items towards the back of your San Diego storage unit. Anything you need "easy access" to should be placed inside of your storage unit LAST. Please label these boxes FRAGILE and write “PLACE IN BACK OF STORAGE” on moving box to effectively communicate with your San Diego movers.

Call Discount Movers for a FREE QUOTE on Packing, Loading and/or Moving into
San Diego Storage! 858-490-0155

Click Here:
How to Prepare For Your Move-Top 10 Tips that Will Save You Money