Dos And Don'ts For First-Time Renters Of Storage Units

The first time you rent a storage unit can be an experience that comes with a bit of a learning curve. While storage companies are typically set up to make things easy for their customers, there are some intricacies to renting and using a storage unit that you may not become aware of until you actually navigate this process yourself. This article will give you a head start. Check out these dos and don't for first-time renters of storage units, and you'll be better prepared.

Do: Choose a climate-controlled unit by default.

Climate-controlled storage units are maintained within a relatively narrow temperature and humidity range. This is important in order to protect anything made from a porous or organic material. That encompasses more items than you might think: furniture, leather goods, artwork, clothing, and so forth. You almost always want to rent a climate-controlled unit unless you're storing something you'd keep outdoors, such as perhaps a lawn mower or a trellis.

Don't: Skimp on size.

If you're not sure what size storage unit you need, choose the larger size. It is far better to have a little more space in your storage unit than it is to have to cram items into a space in which they barely fit. Plus, renting the larger unit gives you more space to use if you later decide you want to put more stuff into storage.

Do: Ask about security.

Security is one of the most important things to look for in a storage facility. But different facilities approach security in different ways. Some have security guards. Others have cameras. Some even let their renters access the security camera stream and keep an eye on their own units. Ask about security before you rent a unit, and make sure you're comfortable with the protocols that the company puts in place.

Don't: Store anything dirty or moist.

In a climate-controlled unit, you don't have to worry about the space being too humid or warm. But you still don't want to put anything moist into storage as this can lead to mold growth. If you clean your furniture or appliances before storing them, make sure you give them time to dry before you pack them away.

If you adhere to these dos and don'ts, you'll have a better experience when renting a storage unit for the first time. You'll be glad you followed these protocols when you remove the items from storage later on.