Moving often comes with a transitional period. Whether you're downsizing, waiting for a new home to be ready, or simply decluttering, a storage unit can be an invaluable resource. However, getting your belongings safely into storage requires more than just tossing them into a truck. Proper preparation is key to ensuring your items remain in the same condition as when you packed them. At Prescott Moving Company, we are more than just movers; we are experts in the entire relocation process, including preparing your items for short-term or long-term storage. A successful storage experience begins with a smart plan for packing, organizing, and protecting your belongings. This guide, filled with our professional advice, will show you how to prepare your items for storage like a pro. Why Proper Storage Preparation Matters You might think that packing for storage is the same as packing for a direct move, but there are important differences. Items in storage are often left untouched for months or even years. They are exposed to temperature fluctuations, dust, and the simple wear and tear of being stacked in a confined space. Without proper preparation, you could open your unit to find broken heirlooms, mildewed furniture, or a disorganized mess that’s impossible to navigate. Taking the time to pack and organize correctly from the start saves you from future stress, damage, and financial loss. It ensures that when you’re ready to retrieve your belongings, they are safe, clean, and easy to find. Packing Strategies for Safe Storage The foundation of a good storage experience is excellent packing. At Prescott Moving Company, our teams are trained to pack items specifically for the rigors of storage. Here are some of the key strategies we use and recommend to our clients. 1. Gather the Right Supplies Don't skimp on packing materials. Using old grocery boxes or worn-out containers can lead to disaster. Invest in quality supplies to give your belongings the protection they need. Uniform Boxes: Use new, sturdy boxes of similar sizes. This makes stacking easier, more stable, and maximizes vertical space in your unit. Packing Tape: Use strong packing tape, not masking or duct tape, to seal boxes securely on the top and bottom. Protective Materials: Stock up on bubble wrap, packing paper (not newspaper, as the ink can transfer), and furniture pads or moving blankets. Plastic Bins: For items that are especially sensitive to moisture, consider using clear plastic bins with secure lids. They are great for clothing, important documents, and electronics. 2. Protect Fragile Items with Care Fragile items require special attention. Rushing this step is one of the biggest mistakes we see. Wrap Individually: Every fragile item, from glassware to picture frames, should be wrapped individually in packing paper or bubble wrap. Cushion Everything: Line the bottom of your boxes with a layer of crumpled packing paper or other cushioning material. After placing wrapped items inside, fill all empty spaces to prevent shifting. Nothing should rattle when you gently shake the box. Plates and Dishes: Pack plates vertically, like records in a crate. They are much stronger this way and less likely to break under pressure. 3. Prepare Furniture and Appliances Large items need preparation to survive storage without damage. Clean Everything: Before you move anything into storage, make sure it is clean and dry. Food crumbs can attract pests, and trapped moisture can lead to mold and mildew. Wipe down furniture, defrost refrigerators, and clean out ovens. Disassemble When Possible: Take apart bed frames, tables, and other large furniture. This not only saves a significant amount of space but also makes them easier and safer to move. Place all screws, bolts, and small hardware in a labeled plastic bag and tape it securely to the largest piece of the furniture. Cover and Protect: Use furniture pads, moving blankets, or even old sheets to cover wood furniture, sofas, and mattresses. This protects them from dust, moisture, and scratches. Avoid using plastic wrap directly on wood or leather, as it can trap moisture and cause damage. The Art of Labeling and Organization A well-organized storage unit is a lifesaver. When you need to find a specific item, you don't want to spend hours unpacking every box. This is where a clear labeling system comes in. Create a Detailed Inventory Before you start loading, create a master inventory list. You can do this with a simple notebook or a spreadsheet. For each box, assign a number and list the general contents. For example: Box #1: Kitchen - Everyday plates, bowls, silverware Box #2: Living Room - Books, photo albums Box #3: Kids' Room - Toys, winter clothing This inventory list is your map. Keep a copy with you and consider taping another copy to the wall just inside your storage unit door for easy reference. Label Every Box Clearly Every single box should be labeled. Use a thick permanent marker and write on the top and at least two sides of the box. Your labels should include: The box number (corresponding to your inventory list). The room it belongs to (e.g., "Kitchen," "Master Bedroom"). A brief description of the contents ("Pots and Pans," "Office Files"). A clear "FRAGILE" marking for any boxes containing breakable items. Maximizing Your Storage Space Loading the storage unit is like a game of Tetris. A strategic approach will help you fit more items safely and keep everything accessible. Build a Solid Base: Place your heaviest and sturdiest items at the back and along the walls of the unit. This includes appliances, large furniture, and heavy boxes. Create a Walkway: If possible, leave a narrow aisle down the center of your unit. This gives you a path to access items in the back without having to move everything in the front. Stack Strategically: Stack boxes like bricks, with heavier boxes on the bottom and lighter ones on top. Make sure your stacks are stable and don't lean. Keep Important Items Accessible: Place boxes and items you are most likely to need near the front of the unit. This includes seasonal items, important documents, or tools. Let Prescott Moving Company Handle the Prep Feeling overwhelmed? You don’t have to do it all alone. The professional team at Prescott Moving Company offers comprehensive moving and storage preparation services. We bring the expertise, the right materials, and the trained manpower to get the job done efficiently and safely. Our services include: Professional Packing: We can pack your entire home or just specific rooms, using proven techniques to protect every item. Expert Labeling and Inventory: We create a detailed, easy-to-understand inventory system so you always know where your belongings are. Safe Transportation: Our experienced movers will load, transport, and unload your items into your storage unit with the utmost care, maximizing space and ensuring everything is secure. An investment in professional preparation is an investment in the safety of your belongings and your own peace of mind. Ready to prepare for storage without the stress? Contact Prescott Moving Company today for a free estimate and let our experts handle the heavy lifting and careful packing for you. Meta Information Meta Title: Storage Packing Tips | Prescott Moving Company Meta Description: Learn how to prepare your belongings for storage with expert tips from Prescott Moving Company. We cover packing, organizing, and maximizing space.

Moving is often seen as a game of Tetris on a grand scale: fitting all your life's belongings into a truck. But long before you get to the truck, there’s an even more crucial step—packing everything into boxes. It might seem straightforward, but choosing the right box for the right item is one of the most important decisions you'll make during your move. Using the wrong box can lead to broken heirlooms, strained backs, and a chaotic, inefficient move. At Prescott Moving Company, we believe a successful move starts with smart packing. Our experience has taught us that the box itself is your first line of defense in protecting your possessions. We don’t just move your things; we guide you through the process of packing them safely and efficiently. This guide will walk you through why box selection is so critical and how our expertise can help you make the right choices for everything you own. Why Your Box Choice Matters Have you ever tried to carry a large box filled with books? Or watched in horror as the bottom of a flimsy grocery store box gives way? These common moving mishaps are almost always preventable. Using the right box is about more than just containment; it's about protection, efficiency, and safety. Protection for Your Belongings: The right box provides the proper structure and cushioning for its contents. A dish pack box is designed to protect fragile china, while a small, sturdy box is meant to handle the weight of heavy books without breaking. Safety for You and the Movers: Overloading a large box with heavy items creates a significant injury risk. A properly sized box is manageable and reduces the chance of back strain or dropped items. Efficiency in Packing and Stacking: Uniform, high-quality moving boxes are designed to be stacked securely in a moving truck. Using a jumble of random, ill-fitting boxes makes loading unstable and wastes valuable space. A Box for Every Belonging: The Prescott Moving Company System At Prescott Moving Company, we offer a full range of high-quality packing materials and, more importantly, the expertise to help you use them correctly. Our team can assess your needs and recommend the perfect box for every item in your home, from the heaviest paperweights to the most delicate glassware. Small Boxes (1.5 Cubic Feet) Often called a "book box," this is the heavyweight champion of the moving world. Its small size is intentional. Best For: Books, records, canned goods, tools, and other small, heavy items. Why It Works: The compact size prevents you from overloading it. A small box filled with books is heavy but manageable. Putting the same number of books in a large box would make it nearly impossible to lift safely and would likely cause the box to fail. Our Tip: Resist the temptation to use larger boxes for heavy items. Your back (and your movers) will thank you. Medium Boxes (3.0 Cubic Feet) This is the versatile workhorse of any move. It’s large enough to be useful for a wide variety of items but not so large that it becomes easy to overload. Best For: Kitchen items like small appliances, pots, and pans; toys; office supplies; and general home décor. Why It Works: It offers a great balance of size and strength. You can pack bulkier items without the box becoming excessively heavy. Our Tip: When packing a medium box, place heavier items at the bottom and lighter items on top to create a stable center of gravity. Large Boxes (4.5 Cubic Feet) and Extra-Large Boxes (6.0 Cubic Feet) These boxes are designed for volume, not weight. They are perfect for items that take up a lot of space but don't weigh much. Best For: Linens, towels, blankets, pillows, lampshades, large stuffed animals, and bulky winter coats. Why It Works: They allow you to pack lightweight, awkward items efficiently. Filling a large box with heavy objects is a classic moving mistake that leads to broken boxes and potential injuries. Our Tip: Always check the weight of a large box as you pack. If it’s becoming difficult to push around, it’s too heavy. Specialty Boxes: The Key to Protecting Your Valuables Standard boxes can’t handle everything. For your most fragile, valuable, or awkwardly shaped belongings, specialty boxes are a necessity. Prescott Moving Company provides a full inventory of these essential materials. Dish Pack Boxes These are the unsung heroes of kitchen packing. They are constructed with heavy-duty, double-walled cardboard for maximum protection. Best For: Dishes, glasses, stemware, china, and other fragile kitchen items. Why It Works: The reinforced walls provide superior crush protection. Many come with optional cardboard cell dividers, which create individual compartments for glasses or other items, preventing them from clanking against each other. Our Tip: Wrap each item individually in packing paper before placing it in the dish pack. Stand plates and platters on their edge, never flat. Wardrobe Boxes Moving your closet has never been easier. These tall boxes feature a built-in metal bar, acting as a portable closet. Best For: Hanging clothes from your closet. Why It Works: You can transfer clothes directly from your closet to the box without taking them off the hangers. This saves an incredible amount of time on both ends of the move and prevents your clothes from getting wrinkled. The bottom of the box is also a great place to pack shoes or pillows. Picture & Mirror Boxes These telescoping boxes are designed to protect your wall art. Best For: Framed pictures, mirrors, and flat-screen TVs. Why It Works: The boxes can be adjusted to fit the exact dimensions of your item, providing a snug and secure fit. For larger pieces, you can fit two boxes together. The flat, protective design prevents scratches and cracks. Our Tip: For extra protection, wrap the item in a blanket or bubble wrap before placing it in the box. The Prescott Moving Company Packing Service Feeling overwhelmed? You don't have to do it alone. In addition to providing the best materials, Prescott Moving Company offers professional packing and unpacking services. Our trained team knows exactly how to wrap, cushion, and box every item in your home for maximum security. We bring all the necessary boxes and supplies, so you don't have to worry about a thing. Our packing experts are efficient and careful, ensuring that everything from your everyday dishes to your priceless antiques is prepared for a safe journey. We label every box clearly with its contents and designated room, which makes unpacking at your new home simple and organized. Choose a Partner for a Smarter Move The success of your move begins long before the truck arrives. It starts with a smart packing strategy and the right materials for the job. By choosing the correct boxes, you protect your belongings, ensure the safety of everyone involved, and create a more efficient process from start to finish. Let the experts at Prescott Moving Company take the guesswork out of packing. We have the knowledge, the materials, and the professional services to ensure your belongings are packed correctly and arrive at your new home safe and sound. Ready to plan a secure and efficient move? Contact Prescott Moving Company today for a free consultation and to learn more about our professional packing services and high-quality moving supplies. Meta Information Meta Title: Choosing the Right Moving Boxes | Prescott Moving Company Meta Description: Learn how to choose the right moving boxes for your belongings. Prescott Moving Company offers expert tips and high-quality packing supplies for a safe move.