Portable storage containers provide an innovative relocation alternative to traditional moving and storage companies. With containers like PODS, you can pack your belongings at your own pace and trust that they’ll be securely tucked away even if there’s a delay between moving out of your old home and back into your new one. But there are some things you should keep in mind when packing your unit, and this is especially true when dealing with the rigors of a long distance relocation. Follow these steps to pack like a pro.
Proper Packing is Still Important
Since portable storage containers are incredibly sturdy and give off the appearance of a more traditional storage unit, it can be easy to assume you’re fine just stuffing everything in the container and dealing with it when it reaches the destination. The reality is very different. Since your unit will be moving across state lines, you still want to employ proper due diligence when packing. That means making sure that your lighter items are stopped atop heavier items to prevent collapse, securing your furniture with straps and restraints, and carefully protecting more fragile items with bubble wrap or packing paper.
Uniformity Can Help Immensely
Portable storage units come in a variety of sizes, but you want to make the most of your space regardless of the model you choose. Packing everything properly is a lot easier when you try to use as many equivalently sized boxes as possible. Don’t stuff the boxes too much, but be careful to try and create an equal distribution throughout your boxes whenever possible. This will provide them with more weight and balance and reduce the risk of spilling or collapse while your unit is out on the road.
Work from the Outside In
Many of the same principles used for packing traditional storage units still work with portable units. You want to start with the interior wall of your unit and work from floor to ceiling. Each of these walls should start with a firm base. Furniture works great for this, and as you build your wall upward, you can start to slide in your smaller boxes and more awkwardly shaped possessions. Combined with uniformly sized boxes, this allows you to make the most of your space while also creating a stable infrastructure for the interior. As you work your way across the unit, try to keep your weight distribution equivalent from left to right as well, as this will reduce the threat of lighter objects slipping and sliding or heavier furniture from crashing headlong into your more sensitive belongings.
Take Care of Your Furniture
The last thing you want is for your heavier furniture to get scratched, dented, or torn along the way. Make sure to remove any legs that naturally come off to create additional stability and prevent them from snapping off. It may be worth investing in furniture pads, so you can create an extra layer of cushioning if something happens during the transit process.
