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STORE YOUR S%^T

Don’t Buy Packing Materials From Storage Unit Shops During This Spring Cleaning Season

Don’t pay storage unit prices for affordable materials like tape or (literally) paper — buy the stuff before and save.

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By Gideon Grudo

Storage units can really change the way you view spring cleaning. On one hand, cleansing your home and throwing out stuff you don’t need is great. On the other, there are objective reasons to hold onto belongings sometimes, from the uncertainty of future life circumstances to the sentimental value of your things.

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When throwing it out is less than desirable, consider dropping anything you want in a storage unit. From more affordable options to tackle just a few boxes to features like larger dimensions, air-conditioning, and 24/7 access, you’ll very likely find a storage unit suitable for you. But before you pack up your stuff and go, be sure you have you’ll need for a solid storing solution (and a solid multitool). It’ll save you the hassle (and cost) of buying everything at the storage unit itself.

While it’s pretty self-explanatory and simple, I often forget to get this (crucial) stuff in time and end up paying a premium for it at the storage unit or truck rental.

Lock your s%^t down

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Desired Tools Padlock, $12 and best seller at Amazon. Master Lock Padlock, $10 and best seller at Amazon. RoMech Fingerprint Padlock, $29 at Amazon.

You’ll very likely need a lock to use your unit — sometimes it’s contractual. Come prepared with a best selling, top-rated lock rather than rely on what’s hanging in the store and costs four times as much.

Top-rated products you should consider:

Pad your s%^t up

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Sure-Max moving and packing blankets, 12-count, $60 at Amazon. Air pillows, 330-count, $11 at Amazon. Duck shrink wrap rolls, 6-count, $34 at Amazon.

It’s obvious you need to protect your valuables but we often neglect to protect non-fragile and larger items — from wooden furniture to cookware — that could much better survive the move if padded appropriately.

Top-rated products you should consider:

Wrap your s%^t up

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Foam wraps, 50-count, $10 at Amazon. Cheap Cheap Packing Paper, 20 lbs, $34.

From glasses to plates to paintings and pictures (IRL ones), creating a barrier between them and the world is crucial for surviving the packing environment and whatever else they’ll experience in a future of moving.

Top-rated products you should consider:

Box your s%^t up

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Cheap Cheap Moving Boxes, 20-count, $36 at Amazon. Bankers Box Classic Boxes, 12-count, $34 at Amazon.

The foundation of all good moves is the powerful and simple box, and storage units will try to bleed you dry for these — so come prepared.

Top-rated products you should consider:

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Tape your s%^t shut

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Scotch heavy duty dispenser, 6-count, $14 at Amazon. Duck Heavy Duty Clear Tape, 6-count, $14 at Amazon. Gorilla heavy duty packing tape, 1-count, $6 at Amazon.

Tape is a very good friend in many situations, and moving is close to the top of that list. It’s another commodity in the storage world so don’t get suckered into high prices.

Top-rated products you should consider:

Having this well-rounded bank of packing goods will leave you prepared for your storage unit bonanza — and maybe even leave enough for a small post-move living room fort.

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Gideon Grudo
Gideon GrudoFormer Commerce Content Strategist

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