Determine if you need climate control or regular storage: Non Climate-Controlled outside storage units are a lower cost option that provides you with drive up access to your unit to store items that are not sensitive to temperature changes, and will handle storage. Climate controlled storage is specially designed to store sensitive items such as books/paper, clothing, decorative items, furniture, or anything else you want safely stored in a space without the risk of high temperatures.

Determine the packing accessories you need: Boxes, paper, bubble wrap, tape, furniture covers, file boxes, etc. All of these items are also available for purchase at our location. See a list of items we carry.

Packing boxes: Partially full or bulging boxes may tip or collapse. Protect your fragile goods with packing and place them near the top of your storage space.

Label boxes: As you pack you possessions, make sure you keep a list of what is inside, and labeled boxes for easy reference when you need to locate these items once they have been placed in storage.

Packing your storage space: It is best if you leave air space around your items to aid ventilation. Place items on pallets on the concrete floors, and it's best not to lean items up against the walls. For some of the larger units, make sure you leave a walkway to the rear of your space for easy access. Use all the space available, including the height. Items that are frequently used, should be placed near the door.

Appliances: Make sure that appliances have been cleaned thoroughly before they are stored. Refrigerators, freezer, and washing machines should be thoroughly dry, and stored with their doors slightly ajar to make sure that mildew and strong odors no not occur. Depending on the appliance, some goods can be stored inside them to take advantage of every available space. Boxes can be stacked on top of dryers, washers, stoves, refrigerators, and freezers.

Tools, Bicycles and Other Metal Items in non climate-controlled units: To retard rust, wipe all metal surfaces with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil.

Books and Documents: Books can be quite heavy, so use smaller boxes that will hold fewer books to make them easier to pick up and move. Do not pack fragile items in the same box with books and do not overload. Pack books flat to protect their spines. File boxes with important documents should be labeled accordingly.

Bedding, Clothing, Curtains, Drapes and Linens: Clothing should be stored on hangers if possible. Curtains, drapes, bedspreads, towels and other bulky items can be stored in vacuum style storage bags that allow you to remove the air so they need very little room to store. This will also keep moisture and insects away from these items. Hanging cartons for clothing are available, but if you prefer, items can be carefully folded and stored in dresser drawers or cedar chests along with bedding and linens.

Dishes and Glassware: All glass items should be individually wrapped: nest cups and bowls and stand plates, sauces, and platters on edge with an extra layer of packing inside the bottom and the top of the boxes. There are special packing boxes with honeycomb inserts for glasses and stemware. Label all boxes containing glassware and dishware, then do not place heavy items on boxes when you store them.

Furniture: Stand sofas and mattresses on end, but first place a pallet, corrugated cardboard mat, or plastic sheet on the floor to protect any wood or cloth surfaces. We sell special plastic mattress covers for your convenience. Dissemble beds and tables, place all the hardware for these items in a plastic bag and attach to one of the pieces. Be careful what type of tape you use, some packing tapes will leave a sticky residue on items. If a table will not dissemble, place padding on the floor and place the table on its top with the legs pointing up, wrap the legs with paper to protect them from other items in the space. Use dresser tops for stacking cartons and dresser drawers for 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. To get dust at bay, place a light cotton dust cover or bed sheet on your furniture.

Holiday Decorations: It is always best to save the original cartons for items if possible. It not only protects these items, but make identifying the easier. Fragile items and delicate ornaments should be wrapped in tissue paper and then packed in regular glass pack boxes that come with dividers. An easy way to store strings of lights is to wrap them around a flat piece of cardboard. You can them stand them up inside a carton lined with packing paper.

Lamps: Pack delicate lamp shades separately and store them in the upper section of the storage unit. Do not use newsprint to wrap lamp shades or any other goods that may be damaged by ink stains. Wrap large lamp bases in padding, wrap smaller lamps then place them in boxes.

Mirrors and Paintings: These items should be stored on edges, not flat. Framed mirrors can be packed in un-assembled cardboard boxes. Wrap the mirror or painting with paper to protect the frames, slide it into one of the open ends of the box, then tape both sides closed.

If you need any other assistance or ideas on storing you items, please ask for any of our friendly staff. We will be happy to help!

Located in Riverview, close to Gibsonton, Apollo Beach, Bloomingdale, Fish Hawk, Boyette, Brandon, Progress Village, Valrico.
In the area of East Bay Lakes, South Pointe of Tampa, Summerview Oaks, Villas on the Green, Bay Tree, Pleasant Living, Shadow Run.

Riverview Self Storage, Gibsonton Self Storage, Apollo Beach Self Storage, Bloomingdale Self Storage, Fish Hawk Self Storage, Boyette Self Storage, Brandon Self Storage