Helpful Hints

Storing and moving advice from thirty years of doing it.

General Storage Guidelines

Be sure items stored are clean and dry. Storing items that are damp or stained will attract mold under the right conditions
Never store food in your unit. Any type of food, including animal food such as dog food, will attract rodents. Irish Spring soap works very well as a deterrent
Allegan U-Stor provides pallets to use in your unit. It is very important to store your property on the pallets, especially boxes and furniture
When packing the unit do not store items next to the metal walls. Moisture will condense on the walls as well as the floor
Regularly check on the contents of your unit. Just by opening the door regularly, more air will circulate around the unit
Be aware of the weather around you. Southwest Michigan can be very humid and warm at various times throughout the year. Monitor your unit for humidity
Store more expensive items near the back of your unit. Never store cash in your unit
Check with your insurance agent regarding coverage of the property stored in the unit. Allegan U-Stor does offer insurance

If you are renting a truck, make reservations early
Confirm vehicle size and capacity with the rental company. Verify additional costs such as insurance, deductibles and drop off charges
Make sure you obtain the necessary supplies: loading ramps, dollies, padding, and boxes
Load carefully. Disassemble what you can, pad delicate items, load heavy furniture first, and secure the load

Ask your moving company how they handle items such as antiques and crystal, to decide whether you would rather pack and move certain valuables yourself
Often, if moving companies are transporting items you pack yourself, they will not insure or take responsibility for them. Confirm the policy beforehand
Inquire about the amount of insurance coverage the moving company provides, and whether coverage is for replacement cost or depreciated value
Moving companies have cartons and containers designed for items such as mirrors. For added safety, request extras to pack anything you choose to do yourself
To keep items smelling fresh while packed in storage, place slivers of Irish Spring soap in the box. It works better than moth balls and smells better too
Allegan U-Stor has a large array of packing materials and boxes for sale