How to Prepare Your Appliances and Garage Items For Storage

HI Again. It’s the Affordable Storage Guy here with more suggestions on how to pack your appliances and garage items for storage.

Let’s begin with the biggest items first. Large appliances should be clean and dry with all moveable parts secured. Smaller appliances may be cleaned and then packed together in clearly marked boxes. Cushion with sufficient padding to keep movement to a minimum within the box.

You can keep your electrical cords neat and tidy by taping them to the appliances they belong to. if there is any risk of the knobs being damaged or lost during the move, take them off and store them in a plastic bag.

Washing Machines – Drain and remove all water from tub and hoses. Brace tub to prevent damage during moving by wedging padding between the tub and the sides of the washer. Secure spring mounted motors.

Dishwashers – These must have the water drained from the hoses and interior. Thoroughly clean and dry and wrap all moveable parts that could scratch the interior or be damaged themselves during moving.

Stove – of course, it’s your decision, but I would recommend that you clean the thing. After you disconnected and pull it away from the wall, you might find it’s a little stickier than you thought! You should take out the racks and any other movable pieces and wrap them separately.

Refrigerators and Freezers – Defrost and clean at least 36 hours before moving and allow time to thoroughly dry. Secure door during move but keep door open slightly during storage to help prevent mildew. The inside may be used to store bulky lightweight items such as pillows and stuffed toys. Check with your manufacturer if you have a refrigerator with automatic ice and water capabilities in the door. You may need special instructions for storage and hooking up this type of refrigerator in your new home.

Electronic Equipment – Ideally, you still have the original boxes. They are the best ones to use again. However, wrapping and safely in bubble wrap or foam is okay too. Drawn picture or take a photo of where the cables go and store it inside the same box as the piece of equipment. You’ll be glad you did when it comes time to hook it back up again.

Lawn and Garage Items – Drain all gasoline and oil from lawn mowers, weed eaters and other equipment. All batteries should be disconnected. Tie loose items like rakes and hoes together.

Sports Equipment – Small items like balls, rackets and shoes can easily fit into moderate or small boxes without any problems at all. Bigger items like skis and snowboards can be stored without any additional packing whatsoever; however if you’d like a to keep the dust off them, put them in a large plastic mattress bag.

Bikes – if you have room in your storage unit, you can leave your bike the way it is. It’ll probably have flat tires in a couple of months, but it shouldn’t really be a problem. If space is a problem or you would like to take care of your bike a little better, there are things you can do. Firstly, you should clean and oil the chain. Then, you can take the pedals and seat off. You can also turn the handle bars in to save room as well. Most bike stores will give you a bike box if you ask for it; or, you can wrap it in plastic.

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