Rated Excellent

on reviews.io

Storage World

Get a price for your storage needs

Get A Price

How to safely store your belongings in a self-storage unit

4 Min Read

50% discount off first 8-weeks

Conveniently located nearby

Flexible terms available

20 different unit types available

We all require extra storage space for our belongings from time to time. For most, extra storage may present itself in the form of cluttering up a spare room, garage, or loft space. More often than not, these spaces can quickly become unmanageable, as these once efficient storage solutions can pile up with extra bits and pieces you’ve accumulated over a prolonged period of time.

Safely storing belonging in a storage unit

This doesn’t just relate to homeowners however, if you’re a business owner, business goods such as paperwork and files containing important or sensitive information can quickly build up too. Many of us end up with cluttered space in our homes or office space, as we find it hard to do away with our possessions or store things efficiently. 

Common causes of clutter tend to be seldom-used items we hold onto for sentimental value, seasonal furniture and decorations that are no longer on display, or spare winter or summer clothing not currently in your wardrobe rotation – whatever your need for extra space, either in your home or office, you may be led to consider external storage solutions in a bid to reclaim or tidy up your space.

Whilst it pays to be mindful and consider all alternative, cost-effective storage options, each comes with its own set of considerations. A quick decision to move items out of your home could indefinitely lead to damp, theft and irreconcilable damage to your belongings. In this post, we talk you through ways to safely store your belongings and common issues that may surface as a result of choosing poor storage solutions. 

Storing your belongings in a garage space

Arguably one of the most simple, cost-free storage solutions many homeowners take to using, is the garage. But what appears to be a simple, ‘cost-free’ method of storage, can suddenly become a much more significant cost to homeowners. When storing items in your garage, there are several issues that could arise, which could inevitably lead to hefty bills as well as damage to priceless, sentimental possessions.

Garages typically play home to a whole host of hazardous chemicals, oils and cleaning products – especially if you’re a driver and own a vehicle. Failing to rid your garage of any oil-soaked rags and hazardous products could result in spontaneous combustion and see your priceless belongings destroyed within minutes. As well as this, if you fail to be mindful when it comes to storing your belongings sufficiently and safely, your items could end up tainted with signs of mould and mildew as belongings may block ventilation systems, causing the confined area to grow damp.

If your garage begins to see issues with ventilation and damp arises consider alternative storage solutions before the situation worsens. As any signs of warmth and moisture can attract a whole host of insects that thrive in a damp environment. Common bugs you may encounter are active at night – so it may be difficult to even discover an infestation until it’s too late. 

Fish moths are attracted to messy, ‘cluttered’ environments and particularly thrive amongst piles of clothing or books. As well as centipedes that are attracted to clutter, and common earwigs that infest damp spaces and feed off other insects. Once these bugs are attracted to your storage space, it’s especially difficult to rid your garage of both moisture and infestation and will come at a greater cost to homeowners, than what a robust, ventilated self-storage unit would. 

Storing your items with friends or family

Storing your items with friends or family may shape itself up to be a cheap, fuss-free alternative to investing in storage space, but there are many issues that could arise if you choose to do so. As you’re relying on the generosity of your friends and family, you’re running the risk of upsetting relationships and causing unnecessary tension. If you choose to store your items at a friend or family members house – are they willing to change their home insurance to reflect the added value of your items? Regardless of whether you’re paying for an ‘out of home’ insurance cover, in the event of a damaging accident – such as theft or an unexpected fire or flood, there’s still a good chance your insurer wouldn’t pay out for your belongings. Equally, you’d have to face the difficult task of trying to persuade an insurer to pay out for two identical items. For example, if you’re storing an expensive piece of electrical equipment at the property in the event of theft – and your family or friend also suffered from a similar piece of equipment taken, it’s unlikely you’re due to receive any compensation.

As well as a significant increase in the risk of being left out of pocket, you could potentially outstay your welcome. Your family and friends may eventually decide to consider other storage space alternatives for themselves – which will lead to you transporting your stored items back home and seeking extra storage once more, or inevitably face cluttering up your space again. This may cause tension between you and the generosity of your family and friends, which can easily be avoided if you choose to store your belongings in a robust, secure self-storage unit that is fit for purpose.

Storing your valuables in a Self-Storage Unit

The smart, yet sufficient solution to decluttering your home in the short term, is to consider hiring a storage unit at a self-storage facility. At Storage World, we offer state of the art, round the clock security and safety systems, that are widely available at all of our storage sites around the Manchester area, so you can be sure no harm will come to your belongings. Our robust, self-storage units are designed to adapt to a customer’s needs, as they are purpose-built in a wide variety of sizes that are clean, dry and brightly lit – so they have no danger of succumbing to damp conditions.

As well as providing top security measures with 24-hour surveillance and hygienic conditions, we can offer homeowners packaging solutions for peace of mind. Whether you need archive boxes to store paperwork, books, or memorable DVDs/videos, along with a range of wardrobe boxes to safely secure seasonal coats, dresses and suits – we supply a whole range of packing material in-store designed to help plan and organise your belongings in an efficient, cost-effective way. Our customers are also free to rent as they please, with no long-term contracts and competitive prices starting from just £10 per week.

If you’re interested in decluttering your space and storing your valuables with us at Storage World and want to know how we can help you, call either the Manchester or Middleton branch and talk to our team of friendly storage experts to receive a no-obligation quote.

Our Locations

Are you looking for state-of-the-art self storage facilities near you? Our three locations across Greater Manchester are conveniently located, providing safe and secure household storage, office space and warehousing solutions for all storage needs.

Storage World Manchester

Manchester

40-46 Ashton Old Road

Manchester, M12 6LP

Located 0.6mls from Manchester Piccadilly Train Station

Middleton

Old Hall Street

Middleton, M24 1AG

Located beside Middleton Arena & Tesco Extra

Storage World Hale

Hale & Wilmslow

Unit 4E Alpha Airport City,

Sunbank Lane, M90 5AD

Located beside Manchester Airport at J6 M56