Moving to New York City means following your dreams and preparing for something big. However, it also means making a lot of sacrifices. The biggest sacrifice is living in a small apartment where not even a third of your belongings can fit in. But that is the price of living in the Big Apple. Luckily, with all the storage facility around New York, you do not have to worry about letting go of your favorite things. The only thing you should be worrying about is how to pack for storage in New York. So, without further ado, here are some things you need to know before renting storage units in NYC and packing for storage properly and effectively.

Watch For Restrictions

After you have found the right storage facility, you need to make sure to research all the storage restrictions. You can talk to the owner, current users, read the rule book, or read laws online. You need to do your homework if you do not want to end up in big trouble. Sometimes, fees for not respecting the restrictions can be huge. However, in most cases, you will be given a list of restricted items. The only thing to do is to follow them. For example, things that will be on almost all lists are chemicals, narcotics, gasoline, fireworks, fertilizers, explosives and similar. Also, do not put any kind of food or plants inside.

Decide Which Items You Will Place In the Storage Unit

So, after you have read about restrictions and what is allowed in your chosen storage unit, you have to decide what will you put inside. That is necessary for choosing the right size storage unit. Make a selection of things. You can not transfer your entire house in there. The more stuff you plan on storing, the bigger facility you will need. And, bigger facilities cost more money. In a city expensive as New York, you do not want to waste your money. So, sit down and think about what items you need to keep. Those should be items that have sentimental value, that are valuable, and that you plan on using in the future. But, items that are broken, damaged, and just useless should hit the bin. Moreover, if you have some things that are in good shape, but you do not know what to do with them, consider giving them away to a friend, or donating them to a charity. Do not be too sentimental. Things are replaceable!

Make an Inventory of all Your Belongings Inside

Moving and relocating your belongings is chaotic. And because of that, people forget what they have put in their storage. So, before you prepare and pack for storage, it would be a good idea to create an inventory list of all the things inside. Write everything down, even those little knick-knacks. In this way, you will always be organized and know exactly where everything is. Moreover, you should keep that inventory list in your home, and have a copy of it inside your storage facility.

Clean Your Things First

There is nothing worse than taking something from the storage unit, only to have it stink up your entire household. Things like furniture or appliances that were not used for a certain period of time tend to have a musty, mildewy scent. So, in order to avoid this, make sure to do a detailed cleaning and vacuuming before you pack for storage. If they are pre-cleaned, they will not be rusty, ripped apart, and with a terrible scent. Wash all the clothes before placing them in boxes, wipe all the surfaces with an all-purpose cleaning spray, and vacuum all the furniture pieces.

How to Pack for Storage

Packing for storage requires having all sorts of boxes. Luckily, today, you can find a box of any size and shape. Just look for them at Capital City Bins, in your local hardware store or stationery shop. Do not just get some old boxes you found in the supermarket, as they can easily damage your stuff. You need to choose the right kind of box, both for organizational purposes and for keeping all of your belongings safe and secure. So, depending on what you plan to pack for storage, you can choose some of the following:

• Cardboard boxes – The easiest kind to pack, stack, and label, as well as recycle later. However, there is a downside. They do not work well with heat, nor humidity. And, rodents and bugs love them. So, choose wisely what will you put inside.
• Plastic Bins – Most people would tell you that it’s best to keep your things in safe storage bins made of plastic. They stack easily, and they will protect your belongings from heat, humidity and any living creatures that want to get inside. But, bear in mind that they are really expensive, so they are only a good choice if you plan on having a storage unit for a long period of time.
• Specialty Boxes – These are custom made boxes, designed specifically to protect a particular item. They are used for those items that are extremely valuable, expensive, or have sentimental value. Also, by using specialty boxes, difficult things can be pack easier.
• Wardrobe Boxes – This is a box that is designed to store your clothes in a nice and safe manner. It has a bar across the top which enables you to hang your clothes. And, they come in many sizes.

Box Tips That Will Save You Time and Money

So first things first, pay attention to the quality of the box. Invest in your bins and boxes if you want to have your items safe and secure. Do not buy cheap moving supplies. Then, when you stack them, stack in the right order. Furniture pieces should be first, an on the stack lighter boxes on top of the heavy ones. Do not store anything on top of the boxes that have something fragile inside. Also, label everything. And, last but not least, fill in all the gaps inside the box. You can use towels, linen, or packing peanuts. This will stop your thing from moving and any possible damage. And that is it. Hope these tip can help you pack for storage in New York City. Good luck!