6 Tips for Packing Your Sydney Mobile Storage Unit Like Pro

The popularity of pack-your-own mobile storage units in Sydney has exploded recently. Whether you are planning a move overseas or just need a place to safely store your belongings while your new home is being built, mobile storage units are a convenient way to pack away items you want to store without making multiple trips to a storage facility.

If packing a mobile storage unit is in your future, we’ve gathered 6 tips and tricks to help you complete the process quickly and efficiently.

1. Declutter Before Requesting Your Mobile Storage Unit

Why spend time and money storing items you no longer want or use? Before ordering your mobile storage unit, take the time to go through your home and get rid of items that are broken or collecting dust in your closets.

Begin by having a garage sale (why not make a little money to offset the storage costs?). Sell items that are in fair to good condition and be prepared to slash prices as the day goes on—after all, the goal is to get rid of stuff, not fund your child’s college education. We’ve even gone so far as to offer items free of charge for the last hour of the sale to unload as much as possible.

If there are high-dollar items that don’t sell, consider listing them online. There are plenty of online marketplaces that can help you.

For everything else that is left after the garage sale patrons have gone, consider donating to a local charity—many will accept items such as clothing, appliances, and furniture. Remember to be kind when you donate and avoid giving away stained or torn clothing or appliances that do not work.

2. Pack Carefully

The single most important tip for ensuring your items survive storage is to pack them well. Purchase quality cardboard boxes and have plenty of tape, packing paper, and packing peanuts on hand. Some storage companies include packing materials in with their service fees, so be sure to ask your storage rep before buying supplies.

Be sure to reinforce the bottoms of your boxes with extra tape and pad your boxes with packing paper or peanuts. Each item should be well wrapped in packing paper or bubble wrap. You may also use household items like towels, blankets, and dish rags for extra padding.

You should also have plenty of rope on hand to tie off items in the storage unit and keep everything secure, particularly large or bulky items like furniture.

When packing, take care to place heavier items in smaller boxes, making them easier to carry. Pack boxes as tightly as possible without over packing and try to use boxes of similar size—this will make stacking boxes in your unit infinitely easier.

3. Pack Your Unit from Bottom to Top and Back to Front

People unfamiliar with packing sometimes assume they should line the floor of the mobile unit with boxes before adding the next level…not so. Begin at the back of the unit and stack boxes and items from the floor to ceiling as if you are creating a wall. Then step back toward the entrance of the unit and build your next wall. Continue until you have reached the front of the unit.

4. Spread Heavy Items Out Evenly

It is important to keep the weight of your items evenly distributed throughout the unit. Avoid placing all of your heavy furniture on one side of the storage unit. Instead, place heavy pieces like furniture and large items throughout the unit to keep it balanced.

5. Disassemble Furniture

Whether you’re packing a mobile storage unit or a removalist’s truck, consider this the golden rule of packing—if it comes apart, take it apart. Often, large pieces of furniture can be disassembled to make them easier to transport, so be sure to break down anything that can be taken apart. Doing so reduces the risk of damage during transport and storage.

Remove legs from chairs and tables when possible and break large standing lamps into smaller pieces. If you have a wooden cabinet or armoire with glass in the doors, be sure to remove the glass and wrap it separately, then tape or tie the doors closed to make sure they don’t pop open during transport.

6. Speaking of Glass…Wrap Fragile Items

Even professional packers have the occasional mishap where things shift during moving. That’s why it is important to take extra care when packing fragile items that are easily breakable or susceptible to scratching.

Carefully wrap glass items in multiple layers of bubble wrap and cover wooden furniture with moving blankets to reduce the risk of breaks or scratches should something come loose during transport.

Once you’ve packed your mobile storage unit, the only step left is to call your storage company and schedule a pickup appointment. They will carefully transport your unit back to their facility and safely store your items until you’re ready to have them returned to you.

If you’re looking for a mobile storage unit in Sydney, Holloway Mobile Self Storage has a comprehensive, cost-effective storage solution for you. Our team of experts can help you choose the unit that is perfect for the needs of you and your family. Not too big. Not too small. Just right.