Your Step-by-step Guide on How to pack for Self-Storage

Searching for the correct way to pack your belongings for self-storage? This guide covers the key steps to ensure your items stay safe, organised, and easy to access. Follow these practical tips to make the most of your storage space.

Step 1: Prepare Your Items Properly for Long-Term Storage

No matter what you’re looking to pack into self-storage, it’s important to prepare your items properly.

• Remove excess dust, dirt and build-up to give your items the best chance whilst they’re in storage.
• Wash and dry any clothes and fabric items before you pack them away
• Wipe down all appliances to ensure they’re free of dust
• Take time to repair minor damages to prevent cracks or breaks in furniture getting worse during the moving process.
• If you’re using boxes to pack smaller items, always make sure you have enough on hand before you start to pack! The last thing anyone wants during the packing process is to stop halfway through because you’ve run out of tape, packaging or boxes. We sell everything you need at your local Super Easy Storage – just give us a call.

Step 2: Decide If You’re Packing for Short- or Long-Term Storage

Ask yourself: are you storing things for the short or long term? If you keep this question in mind during the organisational process, it will make things so much easier in the long run. Separate your short-term and long-term storage items for ease of access. Place your short-term storage items towards the front, so you don’t have to dig through boxes and belongings just to get to what you need.

Step 3: Gather Supplies and Label Everything Before You Pack

This one might seem like a given, but if you’re packing items in boxes, make sure you label everything. There’s nothing worse than having to dig through box after box, just to find the item you’re after. Label your boxes with:

• Quick description of items
• The room it would generally live in (this will help when you eventually retrieve your items)
• Who the items belong to
• If it’s heavy or fragile

It’s a good idea to create an inventory of your items – just a handwritten list on paper will do (unless you want to get super advanced and whip out a spreadsheet) – so you know exactly what’s going into storage and when, without the need for a photographic memory.

Step 4: Pack Items by Category such as Books, Clothes, Appliances and Fragile Goods

When it comes to storing items, it’s important to consider what the item is made of, before you start the packing process. Apart from general wear and tear, some items are built to last forever, but what about that book collection? You can extend the life of your precious paper products by preparing and packing them correctly. Moisture, water, and pests like silverfish can reduce the life of your collection dramatically. When packing your books, especially if they are of the antique variety, check the pages for hidden, unwanted pests. It’s also worthwhile to wrap each book individually and utilise climate control methods to reduce the risk of humidity and moisture damage whilst in storage.

Step 5: Wrap and Protect Furniture Using Moving Blankets

Moving blankets, or furniture padding, have many different uses when packing, moving, and storing items.

• Add that extra layer of protection for bulkier items, like furniture you’d rather not scratch.
• Protect not only the items they’re wrapped around, but your walls and floors during the move.
• Provide that little bit of buffer during transport, reducing the risk of potential damage if bulkier items are packed close together.
• When it comes to oddly shaped items (such as bicycles or bulky furniture) the blanket will contour to the exact shape you need, exactly when you need it.

Tips to Make Storage Even Easier For You

Maximise Your Space

A well-packed unit saves money, prevents damage and makes everything easier to find. Here are tips to make the most of your space:

• Use boxes of similar size so they stack safely
• Stand furniture upright to free up floor space
• Place heavy boxes at the bottom for stability
• Add shelves if you’re storing long-term
• Leave a narrow walkway so you can reach the back

Protect Against Heat, Moisture and Pests

Australia’s climate can be rough on stored items – heat, humidity and even silverfish can all cause damage over time. A few simple precautions, including considering climate-controlled self storage, can help keep your belongings safe.

Keep your items safe by:

• Using moisture absorbers to prevent mould
• Storing fabrics, documents and electronics in sealed tubs
• Keeping everything completely dry before packing
• Adding cedar blocks or lavender sachets to deter insects
• Avoiding scented or edible items that attract pests

Use Smart Techniques and Avoid Common Mistakes

Even small choices can make a big difference to how well your items survive in storage. Think of this step as your “quality check” before you close the unit door.

Smart techniques:

• Use original boxes for electronics
• Pad empty spaces in boxes with towels or linen
• Photograph valuable items for easy reference later

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Using flimsy supermarket boxes
• Wrapping items in plastic bags (they trap moisture)
• Mixing heavy and fragile items together
• Labelling only one side of your boxes

These tweaks take seconds but prevent the most common storage issues.

Pack for Easy Access

A storage unit isn’t just for storing things – it should also be easy to use. A few thoughtful choices make retrieving items simple and stress-free.

Set yourself up for easy access by:

• Keeping frequently used items near the front
• Grouping similar items together (e.g., camping gear, tools, documents)
• Storing seasonal items where you can see them
• Leaving a small path so you can reach everything without unpacking the entire unit

This is especially helpful when packing smaller spaces, such as a 10×10 storage unit or portable storage module.

Ready to make storage easier? Let Super Easy Storage take the stress out of packing

If packing and organising feels like a lot, Super Easy Storage takes the hard work off your hands and gives you better value along the way:

• Mobile storage delivered to your door so you don’t have to hire trailers, lift heavy items, or drive across town.
• AFRA-certified loaders who pack professionally, making the whole process safer and far less stressful.
• No lock-in contracts, giving you complete freedom to store for as long or as little as you like.
• Cost-effective storage modules that let you pay only for the exact space you need – nothing wasted.
• Secure Australian warehouses that keep your belongings protected, with controlled access for peace of mind.
• Free protective blankets and minimal handling, helping reduce the risk of damage while keeping your items in great condition.

Skip the stress – Book professional mobile self- storage with Super Easy Storage, starting from $3.25 per day!