Proper storage is so closely associated with organizing things that people tend to mix them up. Much too often, storage mistakes are being done by a lot of people because of the notion that as long as everything is well organized, then that’s also following “good” storage practices. On top of that, you start to settle with storing out of convenience or what looks convenient without making any efforts to check how your items should really be stored.
Stay with us as we give you a list of different storage mistakes that you need to stop doing whether it is at home, packing for a move out, or storing food. So without further ado, let’s start!
1. Leaving Spaces Inside Moving Boxes
This strongly applies when you are packing for a move out or just simply storing fragile items, such as glasswares. Leaving spaces inside the box can cause your fragile items to bump into one another and scratch or break while on transit. If you have been making this storage mistake, then you have to stop it. Not leaving any space inside the box is not only good for avoiding damages, but it is also good for fully utilizing the storage space you have.
You can wrap your fragile items with a bubble wrap or a packing paper to ensure that they are protected from scratches. Fill every space in the box and level every item, so that they are stable even on transit. Secure the box with a fragile tape afterwards to notify everyone that it contains breakable items.
2. Not Cleaning Your Items Before Storing
It is a must that you clean every item you put up for storage. Skipping the cleaning step can lead to faster dust accumulation, and when that happens, the quality of your items will be damaged over time in the storage.
Wipe everything clean and make sure that they are all dry when you put them up for storage because this helps in preserving their quality. If you include wet items in storage, it will attract moisture, which can cause molds, mildews, and pests to hover your belongings. Aside from that, it can also cause a musty smell.
3. Not Paying Attention To Storage Unit Size
If you are planning to rent a self-storage unit for your belongings, then make sure that you take note of this one. It is important to pay attention to the size of the storage unit you will get. When you don’t do this, chances are you will end up with a small unit that can’t store all of the things you want to store or a big unit where there’s so much wasted storage space. Of course, you want to be able to utilize the storage space you have in such a way that all of your belongings are properly stored.
To avoid getting the wrong storage unit size, make a list of the things that you will put up for storage. Plan ahead, so that you don’t end up miscalculating. Consult the storage company of your choice as they can show you a size guide and offer you different options to choose from that will fit your need for storage space.
4. Not Doing Your Research About The Storage Company
You shouldn’t neglect doing research on the storage company of your choice. This will help you know more about their services and if they can really be trusted with your belongings. Visit their website and check the customer reviews, as well as the amenities they offer. Take note of their safety features, such as 24/7 monitoring, gate access, and if the premises are well-kept and guarded.
5. Storing Excess Towels In The Bathroom
For some, you might have made it a habit to store your excess towels in the bathroom. It might be convenient because doing this makes your towels more accessible. Whether you see to it that your bathroom is sparkling clean, it still isn’t the best place to store things, as it is humid and gets really moist after every bath. It is not good for your towels to be exposed in those conditions since it can result in forming mildews.
Store your excess towels in a separate shelf or a linen cabinet outside of the bathroom that is clean and dry.
6. Storing Beauty Products Out In the Open
Storing your beauty products out in the open makes them more prone to being exposed to direct sunlight. The heat of the sun can shorten the shelf-life of the beauty products and affect their quality. If you are into makeup, then be careful and don’t store your makeup brushes out in the open because they tend to attract dirt and bacteria, which is not good for your skin.
It is best to store your beauty products in a cool, dark, dry place where they are safe from direct sunlight and moisture. You can set aside a drawer space to store them and see to it that it is clean and dry or you can also put them on a shelf that’s far from the sunlight. For your makeup brushes, clean them as often as you can and store them in a makeup brush case or pouch. That way, they will not be exposed to any dirt.
7. Not Using Storage Bags For Food
How you store your food items inside the refrigerator has a big impact in keeping their freshness. You might have been making the mistake of storing fruits and vegetables in a plastic bag, but not really in a food storage bag. Ordinary plastic bags are not good for food storage because they have chemicals that easily catch bacteria which result in fast spoilage.
You can use polyethylene bags or resealable food storage bags to store your fruits and vegetables. They are safer to use because they are non-toxic. Also, leave some room for your food items to breathe. The common belief about storing fruits and vegetables is that they have to be tightly packed and sealed in a plastic bag, but that’s not really the best way to prolong their freshness. Allow for enough air to pass through and poke some holes on the food storage bag. For other options if you don’t have a proper food storage bag with you, just take them off from the plastic bag they came in and store them inside the refrigerator.
8. Storing Food In The Box They Came In
When you open the kitchen cabinet, refrigerator, or take a look at the food pantry, you would mostly see food boxes of many kinds, such cereals, pancake mix, cookies, etc. And we might all be guilty for leaving them stored in those food boxes. Storing food in the box they came in is not ideal for keeping its freshness and quality. Aside from that, pests and insects can easily enter and devour your food.
Just like fruits and vegetables, you should take those food items out of the box that they came in. Use food storage containers instead. This will not only help keep your food fresh and safe, it will also help you better organize your food items.
9. Stacking Up Your Nonstick Pans
Nonstick pans are really good kitchen tools because they just make cooking easier. You don’t have to worry about taking too much time in washing off food that got stuck on your pan. As useful they are, you also have to consider that they are sensitive and prone to scratches if they are not stored properly. Stacking up your nonstick pans might be what you got used to doing, but that has to change because it causes scratches and damages their quality.
Instead of plainly stacking them up, insert a paper plate between each nonstick pan. The paper plate will serve as a protective layer for each pan, so that they don’t directly touch.
10. Using Shoe Boxes To Store Old Photos
Using shoe boxes may be one of the common go-tos for storing memorabilias and small items, but it is not really the best option if you want to store old photos and maintain their quality over time. The cardboard material can cause your photos to fade and turn yellow while in storage.
To help preserve the quality of your old photos, use an acid-free archival photo storage box or place them in an acid-free photo album.
Which storage mistake have you been making for the longest time? Well, it is not too late to change the way you store your belongings and shift to better storage practices. You just have to start today and make it a habit.
We hope that this article has been helpful in listing down different storage mistakes you need to stop doing and some tips for better storage.
In need of a self-storage unit nearby to store your belongings? Contact us today and we will be glad to assist you!
