Dos and don’ts of renting portable storage units

There are many reasons people rent portable storage units. You could be in the process of moving or redecorating your home, or you could just need some extra space for all your belongings. No matter the reason, a portable storage unit can sure come in very handy. When renting a portable storage unit, there are certain rules we should abide by. That is why we at Zippy Shell Moving and Storage DMV have created this useful guide on the dos and don’ts of renting portable storage units.

Before renting a portable storage unit, choose the right one

Renting a storage unit can be costly over a longer period of time. Before renting, you should consider the size and type of the portable storage unit to get the most use out of it. Depending on the type and volume of items you will be storing, you can choose from various sizes and types. If you are in the middle of moving or redecorating, then consider renting a portable storage unit that can easily be brought to your location and moved when needed. Portable storage units come in different sizes, so start by taking inventory of all the items you will be storing. After you have a rough estimate of the volume of things you will put in storage, you can check with the local storage Alexandria VA has to offer to find the best unit.

Most important dos and don’ts of renting portable storage units

After you have chosen the right storage unit, it is time to take a look at what you can and cannot do when putting your things into portable storage units. People often overlook these dos and don’ts of renting portable storage units. So, make sure you are well-informed. Also, you can always check with the storage space provider and confirm what you can and cannot store. In addition, discuss the cost of the storage unit with the provider. You should also set a time frame for getting things out of storage. This should be a few days before your lease expires. The reason for this is that you will need some time to take everything out and move it into your home.

Dos of renting portable storage units

A portable storage unit can prove to be very useful. You can easily pack it up and move it to another location. There is a lot of portable storage Northern Virginia has to offer. Here are some tips on getting the most out of the portable storage unit:

• Make a packing plan before renting the storage unit. There is no need to pay for the unit if you are not actually using it. So, pack everything up and then get the storage unit to your property.
• Create a detailed list of contents for all the boxes and label the boxes clearly. It will prove quite handy when you need to unpack.
• Think about the order you will be putting the things into the storage unit. Here, you should move the least essential things into the unit first. And, put in the things you will occasionally need last. This way, you will be able to access the things you need easily.
• Remember to leave a walking path through the unit to be able to move through it easily. It will be useful if you have accidentally put an important box at the back of the unit. If you leave a walking path in the middle, you can easily access the items in the back.
• Try to create a map when you organize the boxes in the unit. If you label all the boxes clearly on all sides, you will have no problem locating each box by using the map.
• If you are moving large pieces of furniture into the portable storage unit, disassemble them. This way, you will utilize the space better and you can store more things in one unit.
• Use self-standing shelves, if you have them, to store your things. This will protect your belongings from damage and you will be better organized.

Don’ts of renting portable storage units

When renting storage units Arlington VA, remember there are some rules on what cannot be stored. Here are some things you should never do when renting a portable storage unit:

• Don’t put plants or other alive things into the storage unit. It is both unsafe and against the rules of most storage space providers.
• Remember not to put any food or other perishable items in the storage. They can spoil quickly and attract pests.
• Never store flammable or volatile items. They can be affected by changes in temperature or by movement. This can be very dangerous, so avoid it altogether.
• Avoid leaving your storage unit open or unlocked. Even though it is far more convenient, your items could get stolen. Always double-check the locks.
• Do not store any valuable items in the portable storage units. There is always a risk the items will get damaged or stolen.
• Never overfill the unit. It will make it hard to reach your things. Also, it could cause mold because of poor airflow.
• Another cause of mildew or mold could be plastic wrap. So, avoid wrapping anything in plastic, especially furniture.
• Don’t put heavy boxes on top of fragile items. Always put the heaviest boxes at the bottom and fragile items on top of the pile.
• Under any circumstance, do not climb on things to reach high boxes. You could fall off or cause the boxes to fall on you.

As we have seen, there are many dos and don’ts of renting portable storage units. When renting and filling a portable storage box, always take all the necessary precautions to make sure both you and your belongings are safe. Also, remember that a portable storage box is not a permanent decluttering solution, so always think of it as a temporary measure.