General Storage Tips and Advice

If you’re looking to downscale your home, minimalize clutter or secure valuable items, renting storage units are the perfect option.

Alternative Storage is the premium choice for storage units in Cape Town. With over 400 units and 21 different unit size options and 24-hour security, you can be assured that your items will be safe and secure.

Pack strategically so that you create a pathway to walk within your unit giving you easier access to items

Choose the correct unit size. (use our storage calculator)

Pack smaller boxes in uniform sized boxes

Remove batteries from electronics if the device(s) are not going to be used for an extended period of time. This will prevent potential damage and leakage

Dismantle furniture if possible. This will help you maximize available space

Create a storage map and assign items to specific areas within the storage unit

Fill boxes to capacity where possible, as this stops things from moving around. Don’t make them too heavy as this will make them hard to lift, and you risk the bottom of your box breaking

Wedge the door of the kitchen appliances so that they can’t shut. This will help avoid mildew or odor build up

Store all bolts, nuts and screws to any dismantled items in a zip-lock glad bag and tape it to the item from which it was removed

Put charcoal in a saucepan and leave it in your unit. It will help absorb moisture.

Drain all petrol from leaf blowers, lawn mowers and other petrol-powered machines.

Before storing your wooden furniture, give it a good coating of furniture polish to repel dust and dirt.

Lubricate your metal items, such as tools and bicycles, with oil before storing. This will prevent them from rusting.

Place mattresses flat, otherwise your good friend gravity will drive all the padding to one side.

6 top storage tips – How to avoid rookie storage mishaps/mistakes