Written by Shawn Hebert on September 18, 2023

How To Protect Your Valuables

You can protect your goods that go into self-storage by wrapping or covering them with the following packing products: butcher’s paper, tape, extra wide bubble wrap, felt blankets, tea chests, book and wine cartons, port-a-robes, and special plastic lounge and mattress covers.

Protect fragile items by wrapping individually in butcher’s paper or bubble wrap, and labelling cartons Fragile.

Protect your clothes by ensuring they are packed clean and with cedar blocks, or similar products, in our Prairie Containers clothing and linen bags, port-a-robes or tea chests.

Books should be packed in smaller boxes so the spines don’t break from too much weight. Pack books flat and never pack fragile items with books.

Separate your goods with felt blankets, cushions, cardboard or bubble wrap both while moving and in storage.

Prairie Containers' portable storage containers are kept spotlessly clean, however, it is a good idea to give your mattresses, couches, boxes and beds extra protection by positioning soft cloths or cardboard underneath them.

Always enclose soft furnishings, especially couches and mattresses, in our special covers before moving. It could be raining on moving day, so these items are protected during transport and in storage.

Cleanliness is critical at Prairie Containers and we work very hard to create a clean environment. For your protection, we recommend food crumbs and stains be removed from clothing and soft furnishings before storage.

Great care should be taken to avoid storing anything that could attract vermin. Food of any description must not be stored - this includes wheat bags, dried flowers, etc. Don’t risk attracting vermin to your Self Storage unit and compromising the whole facility.

Fridges, freezers and other white goods should be thoroughly defrosted, dried and cleaned before storing. Always move and store your fridge in the upright position. Laying a fridge on its side could damage it. Keep fridge doors slightly ajar during self-storage, and leave a deodorizer - such as a box of baking soda - inside to maintain freshness.

Protect your washing machine while in transit. Disconnect and thoroughly drain the hoses. Put each hose-end in a plastic sandwich bag, then seal the bag tightly with tape or a rubber band, so no leftover water leaks out and damages your goods.

Protect the shelves and structure of your furniture by emptying wardrobes, cupboards and drawers while moving. Refill when in storage.

Drain garden hoses, then coil with the ends connected and tie them up. Store hoses in clean bins.

Store mowers with a half-full tank, and place on a board or plastic sheet in case of leakage.

We recommend that you periodically visit your Self Storage unit to check on your goods. Prairie Containers does not have access to customers’ Self Storage units, so checking the condition of your goods is up to you.

Article written by Shawn Hebert