Self Storage Tips


Budget Storage will help you navigate packing and moving with all the supplies you need. We offer boxes, tape, bubble wrap, furniture covers and many more helpful supplies. We're here to make your storage experience a positive one and after 40 years in the business we've discovered a few tips and tricks. Let Budget Storage be your one-stop storage solution, give us a call today!


Helpful Packing Tips

  • Take a few precautions to help prevent damage and make it easier to find things later.
  • Wood pallets are provided at the Budget Storage office for extra protection of your goods. They are especially good for storing your cloth items on, ie: box spring and mattress, etc.
  • Add bay leaves to boxes to ward off most insects and household pests.
  • Start by gathering the packing accessories you need. Budget Storage sells boxes, bubble wrap, tape, furniture covers, moving labels, rope, locks and many other helpful moving supplies.
  • Store mattresses and box springs on long edges. We sell storage bags that are made specifically for mattresses so that they can breathe to prevent mildew from forming.
  • Place a layer of bubble wrap inside the bottom and at the top of boxes containing fragile items. Mark your boxes containing delicate items in large FRAGILE letters.
  • Use the same size boxes when possible for easier stacking.
  • Label your boxes on the sides, rather than the tops of the boxes.
  • Heavier items such as tools and books need to go in smaller boxes.
  • When packing your boxes, make an itemized list of what is in each box. It also helps to number your boxes going into storage so you can locate items with much greater ease. Keep an inventory report at your home for easy reference when you need to locate your goods.
  • Hang clothes and draperies in wardrobe boxes or in large garbage sacks, cutting out a hole at the top for the hanger tops.
  • Spray your wood items with furniture spray for extra protection.
  • Use your furniture drawers as an extra box. They are especially good for fragile items.
  • All fabric items should be clean to avoid attracting pests.

Specific Storing Tips

  • When choosing a storage unit, factor in a little more room than your belongings take up in order to allow everything to fit. Nothing worse than finding your unit is too small.
  • Purchase a secure, high quality lock. One of the most highly recommended is the disc lock, which is available for purchase in the Budget Storage office in Coeur d’Alene.
  • Any type of vehicle may be stored in the unit to free up space in your garage. Please provide a copy of registration or title to prove ownership.
  • Purchase a secure, high quality lock. We recommend a disc lock and have them available for purchase in our office.
  • When choosing a storage unit, factor in a little more room than your belongings take up in order to allow everything to fit and leave room for access.
  • For easier access, try to leave an aisle down the center of the unit. Leave approximately 1” space between walls and boxes for better ventilation.
  • Wood pallets are provided at the Budget Storage office for extra protection of your goods. Concrete floors can be damp sometimes so keep anything susceptible to moisture, such as cardboard boxes or cloth items like mattresses and box springs, up off the floor.
  • Take a picture on your phone to remember what you packed inside the unit.
  • Appliances should be kept clean and dry to avoid mold and mildew. Keep the doors ajar. You can use the space inside for storing other items.
  • Please do not store food in your unit.
  • Keep a folding stepstool inside your storage unit for accessing items stored above your head.
  • Please place a drip pan under any vehicles that may leak fluids.
  • Place at least used items in back of your unit, frequently used items in the front of your unit.
  • It is against the law in the state of Idaho to store materials that are hazardous or combustible such as gasoline, cleaning fluids, paint, etc. Drain all gasoline from lawnmowers, power tools, boats, RV’s and snowmobiles. Do not forget the tank on your grill, only empty propane tanks are allowed.