Whether your office supplies will remain in storage for 3 months or three years, the whole goal of storing them is to keep them in good condition so that you can use them later, rather than having to replace them. From desk chairs to pens, follow these storage tips to keep your supplies in tip-top shape.
Pack books carefully.
Stack the books on top of one another on boxes, with the heaviest books on the bottom. Never store them vertically, as this may harm their spines. Remove papers from between their pages, so they don't impart stains.
Choose a climate-controlled facility if you're storing electronics.
Electronics are sensitive to changes in temperature. If you let them get hot and then cool down too quickly, condensation may form inside of them, ruining them forever. If you're storing computers, printers, copiers, phones or other electronics, spring for the climate-controlled facility. As an added bonus, you'll have to worry less about wrapping and protecting items like furniture and paperwork in a climate-controlled facility than an uncontrolled one. Click for more info about climate-controlled storage facilities.
Keep items off of the ground.
If you're not storing electronics and you opt for a non-climate-controlled facility, store all of your items on palates to protect them from moisture. This includes metal filing cabinets and chairs -- rust appears quickly when items are stored on the moist ground.
Clean furniture before placing it in storage.
Vacuum off desk chairs and other plush furnishings. This will help remove mold spores and dead skin cells, which may lead to nasty odors if allowed to remain on your furniture throughout their time in storage. Wipe down any wooden furniture with a good wood polish; this helps keep it moist so it does not crack.
Store files and papers in waterproof boxes.
You never know when a small leak may develop in the ceiling or the floor might flood. Accidents happen, in even the most well-maintained storage unit, and storing your files in plastic boxes rather than cardboard ones will ensure they're safe.
Make sure you choose a storage facility with good security.
This is especially important if you are storing files. You don't want anyone to break in and steal your information. Surveillance cameras and keypad entry systems are essential when storing business items.
Packing and preparing your items for storage is time-consuming. Make sure your effort is not wasted by following the tips above. Nothing is worse than opening a storage unit after several months and finding that you have to replace all of your office equipment anyways!
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