16 Dos and Don’ts for Packing Portable Storage Containers

Every spring when I do a big declutter and each time I move apartments, I’m reminded just how much stuff I have. Accumulating furnishings, clothing, and various odds and ends that somehow simultaneously have no place and I can’t part with is one of the great conundrums of the human experience. But gloriously, that’s why storage containers exist, right? 

Whether you’re moving and need a temporary or long-term place to stash your things, PODS offers a variety of storage options to fit any situation. Want to store things close by for easy access? Keep your container right in your driveway. Need things out of the way for a while? Keep your container in a PODS Storage Center. Looking for storage that moves with you? We can do that, too! Whatever your storage needs, PODS has you covered.

All you need to know are a few basics about what can and can’t go in the containers and how to get the most out of them. So without further ado, here are 16 dos and don’ts for using portable storage containers. 

1. Do get an appropriately sized container

Choosing a storage unit is a real Goldilocks situation: Pick the one that is just the right size. While it may be tempting to save some money, using a container that’s too small will ultimately lead to frustration — either trying to squeeze your belongings in or having to size up in the end. Similarly, going for a container that’s unnecessarily spacious is money you don’t need to spend, and extra space can actually make it harder to keep your breakables safe and secure.

2. Don’t have your container delivered just anywhere

When having a PODS container delivered to you, be sure to speak with the driver before or upon arrival, so you know where they can place it (newly paved driveways or uneven surfaces are a no-go) and can decide which direction you’d like the door facing. Communicating with them ensures the container isn’t left blocking your car from the garage or inconveniently stationed too far from the door you’ll be bringing items out of — or any other unfortunate scenario. 

3. Do communicate with your building management

If you live in an apartment complex, save yourself a headache by giving your landlord or management company a heads up that you’ll be using a storage unit. Whether someone needs to let the driver onto the premises or you need permission to leave a container in a particular place, you’ll want to make sure both you and your building management have the discussion before the container arrives. 

4. Don’t load items while it’s raining 

No one wants to move in the rain, but when it comes to packing things away to store for weeks or months on end, you really don’t want to. Moisture that collects on the outside of your packages can seep through boxes and lead to mildew or rot — the last thing you want to find when you eventually pull things out of storage. 

5. Do put the heaviest boxes on the bottom

This is packing 101 but still important to remember! Think of packing a container like bagging groceries: You don’t want bread or eggs on the bottom of the bag, the same way you don’t want fragile goods or breakables below heavy book boxes or furniture. Not only does packing a unit from most to least dense save your teacups from turning into powder, but it also helps you to take the best advantage of the space. Also, when deciding where to put what, try to strategically place the items you need the least access to at the rear of the container. That way, if you need to grab something from storage but don’t want to dig through everything, the things you’re most likely to need are easily found. 

6. Don’t put all the heavy things on one side

Along the same weight distribution lines, you want to stack heavy items in layers, not sections, meaning the weight is spread relatively evenly throughout the container. That way, when the container is picked up and relocated to your new home or a storage facility, all the heavy boxes at the back are unable to shift and smoosh all the lightweight boxes at the front. 

7. Do secure your belongings

Another well-known but important tip: Secure your belongings! Wrap your breakables in bubble cushioning before loading them into boxes, and employ loading straps, bungee cords, and furniture pads to keep the larger items protected and firmly in place.

8. Don’t store perishables

Don’t forget your lunch in your storage container! I kid, I kid. But seriously. Can you think of anything less pleasing than opening the door to the smell of rotten food? Even for canned goods or other shelf-stable products that last for a long time, you’re better off using or donating them than storing them. Also, don’t leave any plants or other living things in the container  — they’re not known to do well without sunlight or water. 

9. Do keep important papers and irreplaceable heirlooms with you at home

While papers and family heirlooms you’re not quite sure what to do with may seem like the perfect items to store away, you’re better off keeping them with you. Some pieces, like vintage works of art, don’t fare well in certain conditions. The same goes for highly valuable and irreplaceable keepsakes — keeping them in a place where they may be vulnerable to damage just isn’t worth the risk. Instead, find a place to display them at home or pass them on to another family member who will have more use for them. 

10. Don’t use storage as your trash bin

At the tail end of a decluttering effort, I always lose steam and want to just bag everything up and throw it in my closet. But what good would that really do? Though portable storage containers are incredibly useful for both short-term storage and long-term storage, be wary of using them as a catchall closet where you stash things that you could actually just toss, gift, or donate. 

11. Do get a climate-controlled storage unit for certain items 

If you’re storing your rare book collection or beloved comic books, you’ll want to opt for temperature-controlled storage. These facilities ensure the unit never gets too hot or too cold, regardless of the weather outside. If you’re stashing vinyl records, musical instruments, wooden or upholstered furnishings, photographs, artwork (like mentioned earlier), antique goods, or any other items that would respond adversely to extreme temperatures or humidity, climate-controlled storage is the move. 

12. Don’t get a climate-controlled storage unit if you don’t need one

Likewise, if you’re not storing anything that is susceptible to warping, mildew, or other reactions to extreme temperatures, there’s no need to spring for climate-controlled storage. Similar to choosing the right-sized unit, only pay for what you need. 

13. Do get storage insurance

Access to PODS storage facilities is only available by appointment, and they are locked overnight. However, it’s always wise to ensure your valuables are insured, especially when they’re not on your person. If you have home insurance, check with your provider to see what may already be included in the off-premises personal belongings coverage. If those particular valuables aren’t included, find out if self-storage insurance makes sense for you.

14. Don’t store hazardous or dangerous Items

As mentioned earlier, perishables, important documents, and heirlooms are some examples of what to not put in a storage container. But it’s also important to avoid anything that may cause harm to your other belongings, people handling the storage container, or the container itself.  PODS won’t allow any hazardous materials in the container, such as toxic chemicals, lawn mowers, or illicit goods. If you’re not sure if something belongs in storage, consult the PODS website or your storage rental agreement. You can also reach out to PODS directly.

15. Do make a record of what you’re storing

Clearly label any boxes and containers and keep a concise list of what you’re storing as you load it into your container. This will help you avoid pointless trips to the storage center when that winter coat or Halloween costume was in the back of the guest closet all along. This is especially important if you plan to use multiple storage containers. 

16. Do Lock Your Storage Container

Whether you’re keeping your container on-site in your driveway or at a PODS Storage Center, you want to make sure it’s secured and locked with a good disc lock. Don’t give anyone the key (or a copy of the key) and be sure to put it somewhere you can find it later. No matter how safe your neighborhood is — don’t risk it, disc it (disc lock it, that is).

Now that you know the dos and don’ts of storage, you’re officially ready to free up some space in your home. Still have some questions? Check out these storage FAQs:

Happy storing!

Sofia Rivera is a Boston-based lifestyle editor and frequent contributor to the PODS Blog. Her work has appeared in Boston magazine, Apartment Therapy, and more. You can most often find her redecorating her apartment, trying out a new recipe, or trekking all over the city.