Self-Storage Tips and Guidelines

Plan Ahead for an Easy Move

Whether you are preparing for long or short-term storage, these helpful tips from Delmarva Self Storage will give you the advice you need to protect your belongings and get the most out of your storage space.

Prepare With These Storage Tips

Selecting your storage space

Self-storage is a convenient, safe, and inexpensive way to store your belongings. Ask a storage consultant to help you choose a space that fits your needs, because rental of storage space is determined by the total size of the items being stored. An efficiently packed small space will cost less than a larger space. If you frequently use a larger space, well organized racks and file boxes may be more convenient.

Storage space rental agreement

For your protection, the storage facility provides a written agreement. Read it thoroughly and ask the storage consultant to answer your questions. Make note of your payment date to see if the agreement covers prorated rental periods. Also, find out how and when your security deposit is refunded or forfeited upon termination of the agreement. If you change your address or phone number, be sure to notify the storage facility in writing.

Insure your goods in storage

The goods you place in self-storage spaces are the sole responsibility of you, their owner. Goods are not insured by the storage facility. Your storage consultant may be able to give you the names of insurers who provide low-cost insurance coverage for your goods. If a policy is not included in your storage information packet, just ask!

Prohibited storage goods

Common sense and state laws determine what may be stored. You alone control access to your storage space. Never store live animals, perishables, liquids, explosives, flammable liquids and fuels, toxic materials, or other items that need a controlled environment. Remember to drain the fuel from gasoline engines before placing them in storage.

Storage Tips to Protect Your Items

Appliances

A refrigerator or freezer should be thoroughly dry and stored with its door slightly ajar. Some goods can be stored inside large appliances, and boxes can be stacked on top of stoves, refrigerators, and freezers. Make sure that stoves and cooking equipment are cleaned before they are stored.

Bicycles and other metal items

To retard rust, wipe all metal surfaces with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil.

Books and documents

Pack books flat to protect their spines. Do not place boxes directly on concrete floors, but use pallets or skids to prevent moisture absorption. Use packing to fill empty pockets in the boxes. Do not pack fragile items in the same box with books, and do not overload.

Bedding, clothing, curtains, drapes, and linens

Clothing, curtains, and drapes should be stored on hangers. If hanging cartons are not available, such items should be carefully folded and stored in dresser drawers or cedar chests along with bedding and linens. Some facilities will sell wardrobe-style cardboard cartons, which help protect your clothes. Food crumbs or stains should be removed before storage. Avoid storing anything that may attract pests.

Dishes and glassware

Place a layer of packing at the bottom and top of boxes containing glassware. All glass items should be individually wrapped. Nest cups and bowls. Stand plates, saucers, and platters on edge. Wrapped glasses should be placed near the top of cartons. Again, fill all pockets with packing. Label all boxes containing glassware, and do not place heavy items on boxes containing glassware.

Furniture

Place a pallet, corrugated cardboard mat, or plastic sheet on the floor and stand sofas and mattresses on end. Disassemble beds and tables and wrap table legs in paper. If a table will not disassemble, place padding on the floor and place the table on its top with the legs pointing up. Use dresser tops for stacking cartons, and use dresser drawers for linens or small, delicate items. Keep upholstery off the floor. Most lightweight chairs can be stacked seat to seat or placed upside down on tables that cannot be disassembled. Finally, place a light cotton bed sheet or dust cover on your furniture. Some facilities sell covers for your convenience.

Holiday decorations

Save the original cartons that contained delicate ornaments and pad the ornaments with packing paper or newsprint. Wrap strings of lights around a piece of cardboard before placing in a carton with packing paper.

Lamps

Wrap large bases in padding. Wrap smaller lamps and place them in boxes. Pack delicate lamp shades separately. Do not use newsprint to wrap lamp shades or any other goods that may be damaged by ink stains. Do not store heavy items on cartons containing lamps or lamp shades.

Mirrors, windows and screens

These items should be stored on edge, not flat.

Records and phonographs

Records should be stored on edge to prevent warping. When moving a record player, the tone arm and turntable should be secure to prevent damage.

Tools

Metal tools should be cleaned and wiped with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil to retard rust. Long-handled tools such as rakes, shovels, and hoes should be clean, lightly oiled, and tied in bundles.

Additional Helpful Storage Tips

What to Store in Various Mini-Sized Storage Units

Self-Storage Space Estimator

The cubic feet of your unit - all units have an 8 foot ceiling

Space Size            Cubic Feet         Square Feet

 5' x 5'                      200                        25

 5' x 10'                    400                        50

10' x 10'                   800                      100

10' x 15'                 1,200                    150

10' x 20'                 1,600                    200

10' x 30'                 2,400                    300

Most self-storage facilities offer a variety of unit sizes. The self-storage space estimator is used to help select the right size for you. This chart shows the number of cubic feet that an article will normally occupy.

To help determine what space size you need, inventory your goods using the space calculator and simply follow the steps below:

• Mark down the number of each item stored.
• Multiply the number of each article by the cube number.
• Add the total number of cubic feet for all sections.
• Refer to the chart above and pick the right space size for you!

This calculation assumes your articles are fully stackable. More space may be required for aisles to permit access to all items.

Business-Miscellaneous

Article - Cubic Feet

Advertising displays - varies

Bookcases 6' - 20

Card table - 2

Computer - 6

Credenza 6' - 2

Folding chairs - 2

Cot, folding - 8

Desk office 72" x 30" - 35

Fan - 2

Ironing board - 2

File box (bankers' box) - 4

Filing cabinet / 2 drawers - 10

Filing cabinet / 4 drawers - 20

Filing cabinet lateral / 2 drawer - 28

Heater, gas/elec. - 5

Metal shelves 6' - 30

Power tool - 1

Power tool stand - 6

Printer stand - 18

Room panel dividers 6' - 20

Suitcase - 6

Table utility - varies

Tire w / rim - 3

Tradeshow display 10' x 10' (3 cases) - 30

Utility cabinet 6' - 30

Nursery

Article - Cubic Feet

Baby carriage, folding - 2

Baby carriage, non-folding - 8

Bath - 2

Bed, toddler - 20

Chair, child's - 3

Chair, high - 5

Chest - 12

Chest, toy - 5

Crib, baby - 10

Rug or pad, 10' x 12' - 10

Rug or pad, 5' x 8' - 6

Playpen, portable - 4

Playpen, full-size - 10

Sporting Equipment

Article - Cubic Feet

Bar bells (150 lbs.) - 3

Bicycle - 6 

Bowling ball / bag - 2

Canoe (14') - 70

Exercise bike - 6

Game table - 15

Golf bag - 5

Ping pong table - 40

Pool table - 80

Row boat 16' (covered) - 120

Sled / 1 person - 4 

Sporting equipment, personal - varies

Sporting equipment, team - varies

Tackle box / fishing rod - 3

Toboggan - 5

Tricycle - 4

Porch-Outdoor

Article - Cubic Feet

BBQ grill, small - varies

BBQ grill, large - 20

Chairs, folding - 2

Chairs, stacking (4) - 6

Chairs, stationary - 2

Chaise lounge - 2

Garden hose and reel - 8

Glider or settee - 35

Ladder, 6' step - 2

Ladder, 8' metal - 2

Ladder, extension 16' - 4

Lawn mower, push - 10

Lawn mower, riding - 20

Lawn mower, cart, etc. - 28

Outdoor child slide - 5

Child gym - 30

Swing set - 1

Picnic table - 6

Picnic bench - 18

Sand box - 20

Table, 6 person - 6

Appliances

Article - Cubic Feet

Air conditioner, small - 6

Air conditioner, large - 9

Dehumidifier - 10

Dishwasher - 20

Freezer, 10 cubic ft. or less - 30

Freezer, 11 to 15 cubic ft. - 45

Freezer, 16 to 20 cubic ft. - 60

Range, 20" wide - 10

Range, 30" wide - 15 

Range, 36" wide - 30

Refrigerator, 6 cubic ft. or less - 30

Refrigerator, 7 to 10 cubic ft. - 45

Refrigerator, 11 to 15 cubic ft. - 65

Sewing machine, portable - 3

Sewing machine, console - 10

Trash compactor - 10

Vacuum cleaner - 3

Washing machine - 25

Dryer - 25

Kitchen

Article - Cubic Feet

Breakfast table - 10

Chair - 5

Kitchen hutch - 30

Microwave oven - 10

Serving cart - 15

Stool - 3

Bedroom

Article - Cubic Feet

Bed, waterbed base - 10

Bed, rollaway - 20

Bed, single / Hollywood - 40

Bed, double - 60

Bed, queen - 65 

Bed, king - 70

Bed, bunk (set 2) - 70

Chair, arm / rocker - 15

Chair, stuffed - 25

Chest, bachelor - 12

Chest, cedar - 15

Clothes basket / hamper - 3

Desk, small - 22

Dresser, vanity and bench - 23

Dresser, single - 30

Dresser, double - 40

Dresser, triple - 50

Night table - 5

Rug or pad, 10' x 12' - 10

Rug or pad, 5' x 8' - 6

Wardrobe, small 36" x 60" x 18" - 25

Wardrobe, large 48" x 78" x 24" - 50

Dining Room

Article - Cubic Feet

Bench, 2 person - 10

Buffet (base) - 30

Hutch (top) - 20

Cabinet, corner - 20

Dining table - 35

Chair - 5

Server - 15

Tea Cart - 10

Rugs or pads, area 10' x 12' - 10

Living Room

Article - Cubic Feet

Bar, portable bench - 15

Bookcases 15" x 24" x 72" - 20

Cabinet, curio - 10

Chair, straight - 5

Chair, arm - 10

Chair, rocker - 12

Chair, occasional - 15

Chair, overstuffed - 25

Chest, cedar - 15

Clock, grandfather - 20

Coat tree - 6

Day bed - 30

Desk, small - 22

Desk, secretary - 35

Entertainment Ctr. 48" x 60" x 24" - 40

Fireplace equipment - 3

Footstool - 2

Home theater, 4 pcs. 6 speakers - 20

Lamp, floor / pole - 3

Magazine rack - 2

Rugs or pads 12' x 12' - 13

Rugs or pads 5' x 8' - 6

Sofa, rattan / wicker - 10

Sofa, sectional, per section - 30

Sofa, loveseat - 35

Sofa, 3 cushion - 50

Sofa, hideaway, 4 cushion - 60

Stereo, component - 8

Tables, drop leaf - 12

Tables, coffee - 5

Tables, end - 4

TV, portable 13" - 3

TV, table model 27" - 10

TV, console 27" - 15

TV, stand - 4

Trunk - 6