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, Tool and Other Metal Items:
To retard rust, wipe all metal surfaces with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil. Long handled tools such as rakes, shovels and hoes should be clean, lightly oiled and tied in bundles.
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 materials (bubble wrap, newspaper) to fill out empty pockets in the boxes. Do not pack fragile items in the same box with books and do not overload them.
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 with bedding and linens. Food crumbs or stains should be removed before storage and avoid storing anything that may attract pests.
Dishes and Glassware:
Place a layer of packing inside the bottom and at the top of boxes containing glassware. All glass items should be individually wrapped: nest cups and bowls and stand plates, saucers and platters on edge. Wrapped glasses should be placed near the top of cartons. Again, fill all empty 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 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 which cannot be disassembled. Finally, place a light cotton (e.g. a bed sheet) 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 material or newspaper. Wrap strings of lights around a piece of cardboard before placing in a carton lined with packing material.
Lamps:
Wrap large lamp bases in padding, wrap smaller lamps and place them in boxes and pack delicate lamp shades separately. Do not use newspaper to wrap lampshades 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 upright, not flat.
CDs, Tapes, Records and Phonographs:
CDs, tapes and records should be stored on edge to prevent warping. When moving a record player, the tone arm and turntable should be secured to prevent damage.