Renting a self storage unit can be one of the most convenient ways to store your belongings when you are moving. However, there are a few problems that you may run into if it is your first time packing your belongings into a storage unit. Here are five tips to help you have a successful self storage experience.

Don't Forget To Label Boxes

Properly labeling all of the boxes that you put in storage is essential for keeping things organized when you are ready to move them out again. There is nothing worse than needing a single item that you put in storage and not being able to find it among a mess of unlabeled boxes. Labeling the boxes based on their contents or by the room that they belong in are both effective strategies that will help you move into your new home much more quickly.

Dry Dishes Thoroughly Before Storing

The dark environment of a storage unit can be very conducive to mold growth if moisture is present on any of your belongings. While you should definitely wash all of your dishes to prevent the scent of food from attracting pests, you must also make sure that they are completely dry before you store them. Mold grows quickly on cardboard, and it can easily spread from box to box in the storage unit until all of your belongings are damaged.

Use Bubble Wrap Instead Of Newspaper

Newspaper is one of the most common packing materials that people use to store their belongings, but it has its downsides. The biggest problem with using newspaper is the danger of ink bleeding. Ink bleeding can cause damage to photos, paintings, important documents, clothing, and even ceramic and glass. If you must use wrapping paper, be sure to use ink-free wrapping paper to avoid a time-consuming cleanup later.

Bubble wrap is a superior alternative to newspaper because, in addition to preventing the ink bleed effect, your belongings are more protected from fall damage. You will definitely be glad that you took the time to wrap fragile belongings in bubble wrap when you find that they have survived a six-foot fall off of their stack.

Plan Before You Stack

Packing your belongings in your storage unit should never be done without a carefully thought out plan. You should always place the heaviest boxes on the bottom to avoid towers of boxes that teeter haphazardly. It's also a good idea to place any fragile or treasured items as low to the floor as possible to prevent them from being damaged. Try as best you can to sort the boxes in your unit by room, and put the belongings you will need most often at the front of the unit so that you do not have difficulty digging them out later.

Get More Boxes Than You Think You Need

It's easy to underestimate the amount of space that your belongings will take up when in storage. You should always err on the side of caution and pick up two to three more boxes than you think you will need to complete your move. By doing this, you can almost always guarantee that you will be able to pack all of your belongings without having to stop to get more boxes, and any boxes that you do not use can simply be disposed of.

A little bit of careful planning is all that it takes to keep your belongings safe and organized in a self storage unit. Keep these tips in mind so that you can pack efficiently the first time and avoid the frustration of a disorganized move. For more tips, visit a self storage facility's website, such as http://www.getepicstorage.com.