Moving homes is one of the more stressful elements of adult life, what with the plethora of tasks—from packing and arranging logistics to finding new utility providers and settling into a new place—it entails. Fortunately, storage pod companies have evolved to provide services that can take a few of these tedious tasks off your plate. With the container delivered right to your doorstep, you can load it directly from your home and, perhaps more importantly, at your own pace.
However, loading storage pods isn’t as simple as carefully boxing your things and stuffing them into the container. So, in this article, we provide you with practical tips for loading a storage pod that the best Sacramento movers would approve of.
1. Prep packing supplies
Careful preparation is crucial to safely loading a storage pod. And it starts with gathering all the necessary packing supplies. The good thing is you can get most of these items from your local home improvement store, and you can even obtain some for free!
Some of the essentials include:
- Sharpies: You’ll need a few of these for labeling boxes.
- Boxes: Taking stock of your belongings lets you know what sizes and types of boxes you need. Alternatively, you can also use clear plastic storage bins. While they cost more, clear bins allow you to see what’s inside, making prioritizing what to unpack first a little bit easier.
- Packing tapes: These help secure boxes and other materials you’ll use to cover your belongings.
- Bubble/stretch wraps: Use bubble wraps to protect fragile items and stretch wraps for upholstered furniture. You can also use the latter to form a unit load from the boxes, which can aid in distributing height and weight across the storage pod.
- Moving blankets: These quilted coverings help protect larger appliances, furniture, and other items. You can use tape or stretch wrap to secure the blankets. However, be mindful of not applying tape directly on furniture as this can damage its finish.
- Moving bands/straps: Moving bands help secure loaded items during transit while moving straps allow you to lift heavier items.
- Moisture absorbers: These prevent molds, mildew, and odor while inside the storage pod.
While you can expect last-minute additions to this list, the items above make for a moving starter pack.
2. Prep the house for moving
Whether you’re selling or moving out of a rental, you want to avoid any damage to the house and the unnecessary costs it may entail. Use plastic liners to protect walls and stairs. For other surfaces, such as doors and railings, you can use a combination of plastic liners, cut-up boxes, and other protective materials to prevent damage from all the shuffling that will occur during the move.
3. Pack your stuff carefully
Packing your things properly is key to efficiently and safely loading storage pods. Here are some tips:
- Using same-sized boxes makes it easier to pack a moving container.
- Be wary of under and overpacking boxes. Underpacked boxes are less stable when stacked, while overpacked ones can lead to uneven surfaces. You can use loose paper and bubble wrap to fill spaces within boxes. Meanwhile, reinforce the bottom of heavier boxes with packing tape to prevent them from collapsing.
- Whether you choose to color-code or write on them, labeling the boxes will make it easier to account for your belongings and plan the logistics of loading and unloading. Remember to mark the boxes on all four sides and create an inventory of what’s inside each box.
- It may be best to disassemble furniture (particularly those with legs) and appliances (like lamps and other fragile fixtures). This can help to evenly stack them in the storage pod.
Remember, the more stackable your packed belongings are, the easier they’ll be to load. More importantly, they’ll be more stable during transit, preventing potential damage.
4. Find an ideal place for loading the storage pod
The ideal moving area is a flat surface (equivalent to two parking spaces) that’s clear of any obstructions (like posts, trees, and wires). This provides ample space for loading and maneuvering the moving container. Most storage pod companies use equipment to set down and lift the containers, so make sure your designated loading area has enough vertical clearance to accommodate it.
Remember to leave space between your front door and the storage pod so you can seamlessly move your belongings out of the house. In addition, it’s best to have a staging area beside the container for pre-loading.
5. Take your time loading and unloading the storage pod
It bears repeating that moving is often an exhausting and stressful exercise. With that said, most damage occurs from people hastily or carelessly loading and unloading storage pods, especially after a long day of packing. Taking your time to plan and assess the loading situation can make the process more efficient and prevent added stress from discovering damaged belongings.
6. Distribute weight evenly across the storage pod
Evenly distributing weight from side to side and floor to ceiling creates a sturdy foundation that helps prevent shifting during transit. You can start with larger items, such as wardrobes, dressers, and refrigerators. Arrange them at the far end of the container, being mindful of weight distribution. This creates a wall you can continue building from as you load more items.
As you work across the different sections of the storage pod, use moving bands, ratchet straps, or ropes to secure blocks of packed items and prevent them from shifting. Most moving containers have points for installing straps, so be mindful of these as you load the container.
7. Fill spaces with smaller boxes and items
When loading boxes, place heavier ones at the bottom and use lighter ones to fill spaces on top and in between larger items. For example, pillows, cushions, and clothes packed in plastic bags are excellent for filling spaces while adding stability.
Meanwhile, you can place odd-shaped items and those that can’t easily be stacked near the container doors, along with things you need to access first when unloading (such as light bulbs, cookware, and toiletries). Lastly, a mattress is excellent for creating a buffer between the door and all the packed items while also serving as the final layer of stability.
Final words
Of course, you can save yourself the hassle and hire movers to help you. Most companies allow you to get just the specific help you need to help lower costs. For example, you can move your things out of the house and just hire movers nearby to help you load them into the storage pod.
The costs associated with moving often add to the stress of the endeavor. If you can preserve your well-being by spending a bit more on help, do so.
