How to pack for storage

The crew brings boxes and wrap and packs with you, so you can skip this page. If you would rather pack ahead, or you are using a self storage unit and doing it yourself, here is how to pack so that what comes out in a year is what went in.

Updated September 2026

Key facts

Standard box 60 × 40 × 40 cm, about 96 litres. Fill it, do not overfill it, and keep it under about 20 kg so one person can lift it.
Clean and completely dry before it goes in. Humidity in the city runs at 75 to 80 percent; anything damp in a closed box moulds.
Breathable over airtight for wood, leather, wool, silk and down. Plastic film traps moisture.
Label every box on two sides with what is in it; the crew photographs the label and it becomes your search term.

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Boxes and how many

What a standard box holds
Contents	Per box	Note
Books	Half a box, about 25 to 30 paperbacks	A full box of books is 30 kg and breaks
Folded clothes	15 to 20 jumpers or 30 to 40 T-shirts	Loose, not compressed
Kitchen	A shelf of plates and glasses, each wrapped	Plates on edge, not flat
Shoes	6 to 8 pairs in their boxes	Stuffed with paper
Files	6 to 7 lever-arch binders standing	About 20 kg; the limit
Toys, linens, decorations	One box each category	Light; fill to the top so the box stacks

A studio is about 12 boxes plus furniture equivalents; a one-bedroom about 24; a two to three bedroom home about 48. If you pack ahead, count as you go and book the plan that fits; the crew adjusts on the day.

Packing by material

Material rules
Material	Do	Do not
Glass, ceramics	Wrap each piece; plates on edge; fill gaps with paper; mark FRAGILE and THIS WAY UP	Stack plates flat; leave space to rattle
Books, paper	Flat or spine down; half boxes; air-conditioned for a year or more	Spine up; full boxes; plastic bags
Clothes, natural fibres	Clean, folded with tissue, cedar for wool, breathable	Vacuum bags for wool or down; plastic film
Leather, suede	Clean, conditioned, stuffed, breathable bag, air-conditioned	Plastic; damp
Electronics	Original box if you have it; otherwise wrapped, upright, cables labelled and bagged with the device; air-conditioned	Batteries left loose; screens face down
Wood furniture	Dismantled, fittings bagged and taped to the piece, blanket wrapped, air-conditioned for solid wood and veneer	Plastic film against the wood; heavy things on top
Appliances	Defrosted 48 h, drained, dry, door ajar, upright	Wet inside; laid down
Liquids	Do not store	Anything that can leak, ferment or evaporate

The order of a good pack

Sort first: keep, store, go. Packing what you should give away is the most common waste of a plan.
Heavy at the bottom of the box, light on top; heavy boxes small, light boxes large.
Fill every box to the top so it stacks without crushing. Use paper or towels, not air.
One room or one category per box. Mixed boxes are the ones you open three times.
Tape the bottom in an H, the top in an H. Cheap tape lets go in humidity.
Label two sides: room, category, three-word content, and a number. Photograph the open box before closing it and keep the photo in the item note.
Keep a "first week" box out: kettle, cups, towels, bedding, chargers, toiletries.

What the crew does if you let them

Bring boxes, wrap, tape and blankets. Pack with you, wrapping fragile items individually. Dismantle furniture and bag the fittings. Photograph every box and item, and the label. Load upright, strap, and store on shelving. On delivery, reassemble and place. All of that is inside the collection fee. Boxes you packed yourself are photographed closed and stored as you sealed them; the crew does not open them.

Labelling for a catalogue

The account shows each box with its photo and your note, and search works on the note. So write notes you will search for: "winter coats and scarves", "kitchen glasses and mugs", "tax 2024 to 2026". A number alone is useless in six months. Sections in the account, one per room or per season, keep long lists readable.

What never goes in

Nothing anything illegal, dangerous, perishable or alive: food, plants, animals, fuel, gas, aerosols, paint, solvents, loose lithium batteries, fireworks, weapons, and anything without a lawful origin. Passports, cash and jewellery stay with you for a different reason: no storage should hold what you cannot replace.

Frequently asked

Can I use boxes from the supermarket?

If they are dry, strong and not from produce, yes. Fruit boxes bring insects and are refused. Odd sizes count as more or fewer standard boxes.

Do I have to pack before the crew comes?

No. Most customers pack with the crew on the day. Packing ahead saves time if you like, but the crew still photographs each box.

What about a suitcase?

Pack it as you would for a trip, closed and locked if you like. It counts as about two boxes.

Should I use vacuum bags?

For cotton and synthetics in standard storage they save space. Never for wool, down, silk or leather; they crush loft and trap moisture.

How do I find one thing later?

Search the account by the note on the box, or by the code the crew gave it. Good notes at packing time are the whole trick.

Store it, get it back when you need it

We come to you, pack, photograph every item and keep it on a secure shelf, standard or air-conditioned. One message brings any of it back.

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