Finding the right storage solution for short-term use is one thing, but securing a solution for long-term storage is quite another. And when you add the complexity of expensive or sensitive products into the mix, you may have to navigate a high-stakes, high-risk situation.
Whether you’re moving cross-country or transferring your office to a new location, you may need to pack certain items away for several months or longer. It’s important to adhere to proper preparations to ensure the preservation and usability of your products.
But how can you know you’re following the right protocol? And can you truly rest easy with long-term storage?
The answer is yes — provided you follow the right procedure.
This guide covers some long-term storage tips to keep residential and commercial products in excellent condition. We also explore a few practical suggestions for preventing unwanted damage and ensuring successful outcomes.
How to prepare your products for long-term storage in 8 simple steps
Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to maintain quality products even after long-term storage. By following the eight-step process below, you can ensure successful long-term storage for your goods.
- Clean and declutter
Both homeowners and business owners alike should kick off their long-term storage by cleaning and decluttering. Cleaning must involve wiping down products or washing heavier or larger items with soap and water. Decluttering involves work both inside and outside the storage space.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Perform a thorough cleaning of the product by removing dirt, dust and any unwanted residue.
- Break down any product that has multiple working parts, including anything that may break easily while in transport or in storage.
- Sweep out the inside of your storage space to remove any insects (such as spiders), dust, dirt or other grime.
Additionally, don’t forget to declutter so you can consolidate items going to long-term storage. You may want to get rid of products with damage or items well past their expiry date.
- Inspect for damage
Inspecting your products before sending them into long-term storage can help you set expectations and get clarity around the quality of your items. Not only does this help with the decluttering process, but it can also help you keep tabs on damages that may occur after the storage period begins.
You can always inspect your products one by one for signs of damage. However, you can also document quality through pictures and videos so you have undeniable evidence of what your products looked like before and after long-term storage.
If you still want to store a damaged product, here are some ways to repair and address concerns to prevent further deterioration during storage:
- Vacuum seal your products
- Install a dehumidifier and pest traps
- Opt for climate-controlled storage (more on this later)
- Ensure proper packaging and protection
Just like your typical moving process, products held in long-term storage require proper packaging to stay protected. Failing to do so may lead to unwanted damages or reduce the quality of your goods over time.
No Limits Removalists recommends using sturdy boxes, plastic containers or specialised packaging. You should also make sure to wrap fragile items with butcher paper or cushioning material like bubble wrap. Remember: heavier items should go in smaller boxes, while lighter items must be placed in larger boxes.
Once your products are packed up and ready to go, don’t forget to pad empty spaces and use appropriate cushioning materials for added protection.
Don’t want to go through the trouble of packing and protecting products on your own? Just hire the team at No Limits Removalists to get wrapping and packing services you can trust.
- Take note of climate control considerations
The impact of temperature and humidity on product longevity may be far more serious than you know. Water damage, pest activity and even mould growth could affect the value of your product or its ability to serve you in the future.
This is where the benefits of climate-controlled storage units come into play. By preserving sensitive products in temperature-controlled areas that are free of humidity fluctuations, you can rest easy knowing your products have security against unnecessary wear and tear.
If you want even more peace of mind, consider installing desiccants or other moisture absorbers around your storage unit. You can purchase these at any national franchise or big box store in your area.
- Do proper labelling and inventory management
Maintaining an inventory of stored items and products can get confusing fast. Whether you’re a residential homeowner or a commercial business manager, you need some sort of labelling system to help keep things in check.
Here are some tips for building a simple labelling system for easy identification and product retrieval:
- Create stick-on labels for different products or place notes directly on the boxes.
- Keep an updated master list of all items in your long-term storage unit.
- Use digital inventory management tools to keep track of all stored items.
- Take security measures
Everyone knows theft can be a threat to long-term storage, but nobody thinks it can happen to them. Failing to plan accordingly could cost thousands of dollars in product losses or result in expensive replacements down the line.
No Limits Removalists recommends multiple security measures to protect your products from theft or unauthorised access. First, use modernised locks with a key only you control. Next, install security cameras (or choose storage facilities with robust security systems). Be sure to only share access information with trusted individuals like bosses, family members or others in your circle.
- Conduct regular inspection and maintenance
With your products safely stored in long-term storage, it’s time to set up a maintenance schedule for inspections and routine visits. These can help you identify and address any issues quickly, as well as reevaluate your storage needs to make necessary adjustments.
Be sure to inspect:
- The state of the storage unit
- The quality of your products
- The storage environment (look for tampering or theft)
- Document and get insurance
Documenting prior product damage is only one piece of the long-term storage puzzle. For ultimate protection lasting years on end, you should consider multiple modalities of documenting products, locations and values.
We recommend:
- Keeping an inventory list
- Including photographs and descriptions
- Signing up for insurance
Both residential and commercial storage customers can purchase specialised insurance options for additional protection.
Choose No Limits Removalists for your long-term storage needs
From homeowners preparing for an interstate move to business managers looking to shore up excess products, anyone can rely on long-term storage solutions to protect their most important goods. Following these long-term storage tips can help you ensure a successful outcome without endangering your goods. However, you still need to choose the right long-term storage company so you can put these tips and steps into practice — and that means hiring the award-winning services of No Limits Removalists.
No Limits Removalists follows a simple creed: to make moving, packing and storing easier for everyone. This means providing simplified packing and storing solutions for as many weeks, months or years as you require. You don’t have to take our word for it, though — we let our five-star reviews do the talking.
If you’re interested in securing long-term storage from professionals with years of experience, don’t hesitate to contact No Limits Removalists today. We remain the leading provider of long-term storage solutions in Sydney and surrounding areas and would be happy to ensure the preservation and usability of your stored products.