How Long-Term Storage Affects Your Belongings (And How to Store Them Right)
Nathan Beck • March 28, 2025
Long-term storage can be a smart solution during a move, military deployment, extended travel, or simply when you’re not ready to part with certain belongings. But without proper preparation, leaving your items in storage for months—or even years—can lead to unwanted surprises. Warping, mildew, fading, and breakage are just a few of the risks that come with storing items for extended periods without the right precautions.
At Stor-All Self Storage, we’re here to help you avoid these problems and keep your items in excellent condition for as long as they’re in storage. If you're considering self storage in Palmdale, CA, here’s what you need to know about how long-term storage affects your belongings—and how to do it right.
What Happens to Items in Long-Term Storage?
Time, temperature, and how your items are packed can all impact the condition of what you store. Here are some of the most common long-term storage issues:
1. Dust and Dirt Accumulation
Even in clean storage facilities, fine dust can settle over time. Without proper covers or sealed containers, fabrics, electronics, and furniture can become dirty or discolored.
2. Moisture and Mildew
Improper packing or using the wrong materials can trap moisture inside boxes or containers, leading to mildew, mold, and unpleasant odors—especially for items like clothing, books, and mattresses.
3. Pest Damage
Cardboard boxes, unsealed containers, or food remnants (even crumbs) can attract pests. Insects and rodents can chew through fabric, paper, and even wires, causing lasting damage.
4. Material Deterioration
Some materials don’t hold up well over time, especially when stored in the wrong conditions. Leather can crack, electronics can corrode, and plastic can warp if not properly protected.
How to Store Belongings the Right Way for the Long Haul
The good news? Most storage-related damage is preventable with some simple, proactive steps. Here’s how to keep your items safe and sound in Palmdale storage units over the long term:
1. Clean Everything Before Storing
Dust, crumbs, oils, and moisture can all contribute to deterioration over time. Clean and dry all items thoroughly—especially furniture, appliances, and clothing—before putting them into storage. This reduces the risk of mold, mildew, and unwanted odors.
2. Use Proper Containers
Skip flimsy cardboard boxes and opt for sturdy, sealed plastic containers for better long-term protection. These containers keep out dust, moisture, and pests more effectively. If cardboard is your only option, make sure it's new, dry, and double-taped at the seams.
3. Wrap Furniture and Fragile Items Properly
Use moving blankets or furniture covers—not plastic—to cover large items. Plastic wrap can trap moisture and lead to mildew. For breakables, use bubble wrap or soft padding and pack them snugly to prevent shifting.
4. Avoid Stacking Too High
Stacking heavy boxes can cause those at the bottom to collapse or become misshapen. Use shelving if possible, and always put the heaviest boxes on the bottom with lighter ones on top.
5. Label and Inventory Everything
When you're storing items for months or years, you may forget what’s in each box. Label clearly and keep an inventory list so you can find things quickly and avoid unnecessary digging or damage.
Why Choose Stor-All Self Storage for Long-Term Storage?
Located in the heart of the Antelope Valley, Stor-All Self Storage offers clean, secure, and accessible self storage in Palmdale, CA. We understand that life can be unpredictable, and your storage needs may be long-term. That’s why our facility is built to support the protection of your belongings over time.
Our Palmdale storage units come in a variety of sizes to fit your needs, and our facility features security gate access, well-maintained grounds, and a helpful team ready to assist you with tips and guidance. Whether you’re storing for six months or several years, we make it easy to store with confidence.
Store Smarter, Not Harder
Long-term storage doesn’t have to mean long-term damage. With the right packing strategies and the right storage partner, your belongings can stay in great shape for as long as you need.
If you're planning for long-term self storage in Palmdale, CA, contact
Stor-All Self Storage today. We’ll help you find the perfect unit, offer expert advice, and ensure your items are well taken care of—no matter how long they stay with us.
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As winter approaches, it's time to start thinking about preparing your lawn equipment and outdoor furniture for the colder months ahead. Properly storing these items can help prolong their lifespan and ensure they’re ready for use when spring arrives. At Stor-All Self Storage, we understand the importance of keeping your seasonal items safe and secure, and we’re here to help guide you through the process. 1. Clean and Maintain Lawn Equipment Before storing your lawn equipment, it's essential to give it a thorough cleaning. Remove any dirt, grass clippings, and leaves to prevent mold or rust buildup. Here are some key steps for maintaining your equipment: Drain fuel: Gasoline can break down over time and cause damage to your equipment. Drain the fuel from mowers, trimmers, and other gas-powered tools. Sharpen blades: Sharpening the blades of your lawnmower or edger helps maintain performance. Change the oil: Changing the oil before storing your lawnmower or snowblower can help prevent engine issues in the spring. Clean filters and spark plugs: Clean or replace the air filter and spark plug to ensure smooth running when you need them again. 2. Properly Store Lawn Equipment After maintenance, find a dry, secure place to store your equipment. At Stor-All Self Storage, we offer a variety of unit sizes to accommodate large items like lawnmowers and snowblowers. Consider storing your lawn equipment in a drive-up storage unit for easy access. 3. Protect Outdoor Furniture Outdoor furniture is built to withstand the elements, but prolonged exposure to rain, snow, and freezing temperatures can cause damage over time. Here’s how to protect your furniture: Clean furniture: Wipe down chairs, tables, and cushions to remove dirt, leaves, and other debris. This step can help prevent mold and mildew. Use covers: Invest in weather-resistant covers for your outdoor furniture to shield them from snow and rain. Store cushions separately: If possible, store cushions inside during the winter. This will prevent them from becoming damp or moldy. Store furniture in a dry location: If possible, storing your outdoor furniture inside a storage unit will help protect it from the elements. 4. Utilize Self Storage When preparing for winter, a storage unit can be a great option for storing your lawn equipment and outdoor furniture. Stor-All Self Storage provides secure and accessible units that are perfect for keeping your items safe during the winter months. Whether you need a small unit for a few chairs or a larger one for lawnmowers and patio sets, we have you covered. 5. Tips for Storing in a Storage Unit Use shelves: Keep smaller items off the floor by using shelves or pallets to protect them from moisture. Label your boxes: If you store any smaller tools or accessories, be sure to label the boxes so you can easily find them when you need them. Create a plan: If you’re storing multiple items, consider organizing your unit to allow for easy access and maximize space. Winterizing your lawn equipment and outdoor furniture is an important task that will help protect your investments. By properly cleaning, maintaining, and storing these items, you can ensure they’ll be ready for use when the warmer weather returns. If you need a safe and secure place to store your seasonal belongings, Stor-All Self Storage is here to help. Contact us today to reserve a unit and get your winter storage plan in place!
Renting a self-storage unit for the first time can feel overwhelming. At Stor-All Self Storage, we’re here to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. To help you get started, here are our top 10 tips for first-time self-storage renters: 1. Determine Your Storage Needs Before renting, take inventory of the items you plan to store. This will help you estimate the size of the unit you’ll need. Not sure? Our team at Stor-All can guide you through the selection process. 2. Choose the Right Unit Size Selecting the right-sized unit is key to avoiding unnecessary costs. For a few boxes and small furniture, a 5x5 unit may suffice. For a full household, a 10x20 might be a better fit. Check out our size guide to make an informed choice. 3. Pack Smart Use sturdy boxes, bubble wrap for fragile items, and plastic containers for long-term storage. Label each box clearly to make retrieval easier later. 4. Invest in a Good Lock Security is a priority at Stor-All Self Storage, but adding an extra layer of protection with a quality lock is always a good idea. Consider a disc or cylinder lock for maximum security. 5. Plan for Easy Access Store frequently used items near the front of your unit. Leave a clear pathway so you can easily navigate your belongings without unpacking the entire unit. 6. Avoid Storing Prohibited Items Certain items, like flammable materials, perishable food, and hazardous substances, are not allowed in storage units. Check our facility’s guidelines to ensure compliance. 7. Use Vertical Space Maximize your storage unit by stacking boxes and using shelving units. Be sure to place heavier items on the bottom and lighter ones on top for stability. 8. Protect Your Belongings Consider adding insurance to your stored items for peace of mind. Some homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies cover stored goods, or you can purchase insurance directly through Stor-All. 9. Keep a Detailed Inventory Maintain a list of what you’ve stored and where it’s located within the unit. This will save time and reduce stress when you need to retrieve something. 10. Ask Questions If you’re unsure about anything, don’t hesitate to ask. Our friendly staff at Stor-All Self Storage is here to help with everything from unit selection to moving tips. Renting a storage unit is an excellent way to declutter your home or secure your belongings during transitions. With these tips, you’re well on your way to a seamless storage experience. Visit Stor-All Self Storage today to find the perfect unit for your needs!
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Security is always a top priority at Stor-All Self Storage. Thankfully, we have never had a break in to the storage units in the past 30+ years! Even with that great track record, we never want to let our guard down. A customer recently asked me what we do for security and I thought it would be beneficial to let you all know. Here are our main security measures: Key-code access gate. This is a new addition this year. The key-coded access allows us to know exactly the time that visitors come and go. Gate access hours are 6 AM - 10 PM to prevent any late night break-in's. Each renter has their own unique code. Security Cameras throughout the property. Our recently upgraded HD security cameras record 24/7. Footage is saved for 30 days and can easily be reviewed if there is any incident. Also, notifications are sent if there is motion on the property after gate hours. Fully lit property, from dusk to dawn. We recently upgraded all indoor and outdoor lighting with brighter LED lights that light up the entire property all night. There are no dark areas on the property. Outdoor lights are equipped with sensors to ensure the lights come on at dusk and stay on until dawn. Perimeter wall. The majority of the property is surrounded by a 12 foot exterior wall. This is much taller than the standard 6-8 foot walls around storage facilities. Some areas at the front of the facility have shorter walls, in which case we have bright LED lights and security cameras in place watching those walls.
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