Packing Guide | Storagehotel | Storage With Pickup & Delivery For UBC and UofT Students

The Storagehotel Packing Guide


Know What You Can Store

We specialize in the storage of boxes and small, common household items for students. Items that are typically stored with us include safely-packed boxes, bins, suitcases, and duffle bags.

Items that we CANNOT store and are prohibited include:

  • Food, perishable items, dry foods, or items made of edible ingredients (e.g. rice, flour, pet food, edible decorations, etc.)
  • Liquids (e.g. liquid food or drinks, liquid cleaning supplies, liquid care products, etc.)
  • Batteries, flammable materials and liquids, or items that could explode or cause fire (e.g. battery packs, batteries for electric bikes or scooters, gas canisters, aerosol cans, etc.)
  • Any illegal substances, drugs, or illegal items or goods illegally obtained
  • Firearms, explosives, weapons or ammunition
  • Hazardous, toxic or radioactive goods, biological agents, harmful chemicals, powder, or materials
  • Pollutants, contaminated goods, asbestos or other materials of a potentially dangerous nature
  • Cash or securities, coins, precious stones, jewellery, antiques, fine art, or high-value items
  • Animals, birds, fish, or any other living creatures
  • Waste or other items which do or could emit any fumes, smell or odour
  • Extremely fragile items
  • Certain large appliances, large furniture, and vehicles
  • Items of poor cleanliness

Please avoid storing Fragile Items with Storagehotel. Certain items require extra preparation, care, and handling during transportation and storage, and are easily susceptible to damage due to their fragile nature. We have policies that govern our transport and storage of items that could reasonably be called "fragile" ("Fragile Items"). Please review our Fragile Item Policy before you consider storing Fragile Items.

While we make every attempt to ensure your items are handled with care, Storagehotel is not liable for any damage or derangement to Fragile Items, cosmetic damage to items, damage to fragile items such as glassware or electronics, as well as damage that occurs due to improper or poor packing, overpacking, or poor quality of items or containers.

We have the right to reject any items that do not comply with our standards, are improperly packed, or are of poor cleanliness. If you have items of unique nature, please contact us to ensure that we can store them, as well as to ensure you follow the proper steps to pack and protect your items.

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Distribute Weight Evenly

Boxes, bins, and even duffle bags can easily get damaged when packed too heavily. We've seen cardboard boxes rip apart, plastic bins crack, and even duffle bag straps rip from them being too heavy. Imagine all of your items spill out of your box/bin/bag because of such damage. This is something that can be avoided with careful and strategic packing!

Our moving team works hard to lift your boxes/bins to and from storage, and heavy boxes/bins can be unsafe and dangerous for them to move. We also stack your boxes/bins when stored, and so your boxes/bins must not be so heavy that we cannot stack them safely.

To avoid damage and over-stressing boxes/bins (and our hard-working team), we kindly ask that you strategically separate your heavy items into multiple boxes/bins. This will prevent breaking boxes and breaking backs.

Please consider the following suggestions when packing:

  • Do not put all of your heavy items in the same box/bin.
  • Mix heavy items such as books with lighter items such as clothes and bedding. This is also a good way to provide a cushion for your items during moving to help keep them in good condition.
  • Place heavier objects as close to the center of the box as possible to reduce the risk of breaking the box/bin.
  • Disassemble furniture pieces and pack the pieces in multiple boxes/bins to spread the total weight over multiple boxes/bins.
  • Due to the safety of our team, items or boxes weighing between 50lbs and 70lbs will incur a $125 Heavy Item Fee. We do not accept any item/box weighing 70lbs or more, and our moving team cannot wait for you if you try to repack during your pickup. Thoughtful packing and spreading weight between several boxes will reduce the risk of injury, damage, and save you money!

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Protect Your Items Inside Boxes

Protecting the contents of your boxes is very important, and must be considered when packing. Shocks received on the outside of the box during moving and transportation can pass through to the contents, causing damage. It is always better to over-protect than under-protect.

Please consider the following suggestions when packing boxes:

  • Strategically use towels, blankets, bed sheets, newspaper, clothes, or bubble wrap as a layer of cushion to pack fragile items such as picture frames, mugs, dishes, electronics, alarm clocks, etc.
  • Make sure that items in boxes are secure enough so that they cannot move around inside the box during moving or transportation. Strategically use towels, blankets, bed sheets, clothing, or crumpled newspaper to fill open spaces.
  • Use original boxes and packaging to pack monitors, TVs, computers and other electronics. Since they are the correct size and the original packing materials from the manufacturer, it is the best method to help ensure the safety of the contents if packed and utilized properly and securely.

Please avoid storing Fragile Items with Storagehotel. Certain items require extra preparation, care, and handling during transportation and storage, and are easily susceptible to damage due to their fragile nature. We have policies that govern our transport and storage of items that could reasonably be called "fragile" ("Fragile Items"). Please review our Fragile Item Policy before you consider storing Fragile Items.

While we make every attempt to ensure your items are handled with care, Storagehotel is not liable for any damage or derangement to Fragile Items, cosmetic damage to items, damage to fragile items such as glassware or electronics, as well as damage that occurs due to improper or poor packing, overpacking, or poor quality of items or containers.

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Fully Secure & Seal Your Boxes

In constructing and sealing your Storagehotel Large Boxes, please apply tape liberally to the top and bottom of your boxes to ensure they are properly sealed, reinforced, and secure.

You will need at least three strips of tape each, for both the top and the bottom of the box. Cover any areas of vulnerability with extra tape. Do not use masking tape or string. Make sure you test the seal of your boxes by picking them up and moving them around after you seal them. A roll of heavy-duty packing tape is included with each box order, and we expect it to be used heavily!

Please return any leftover tape to our team during your pickup appointment, as we pass on the remaining tape to other clients, and effectively reuse and recycle!

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Unplug & Dry Your Fridge

If you are storing a fridge, please unplug your fridge a minimum of 2 days before your pickup date. Wipe and dry inside and out.

Ice and frost builds up over time on the inside of fridges, and will start to thaw while the fridge is unplugged. As it melts, the water will not only cause a mess inside your fridge, but it will also leak out and cause a mess during moving, transportation, and in storage.

This water and moisture will cause mold and mildew damage to your fridge, as well as damage to other surrounding items belonging to you or other clients during transportation and while in storage. You must make sure your fridge is completely defrosted and completely dry at the time of pick up.

Secure loose items such as shelving or ice cube trays inside your fridge by taping them down, to prevent them from shifting around and causing damage during moving. Tape the door shut so the door does not swing open unexpectedly during moving. Neatly roll up, bundle, and tape the power cord to the empty space at the bottom of the back of the fridge, behind the cooling coils so it is not in the way or dangling on the ground.

Our moving team reserves the right to refuse the pick up of refrigerators that have not been unplugged for a minimum of 2 days prior to pickup and properly dried out. Make sure your fridge is completely defrosted and completely dry, to ensure that we will be able to store it. Fridges that are later discovered to be wet during transportation or in storage are subject to a $50 Unthawed/Wet Fridge fee, automatically charged to your payment method on file.

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Protect Your Stand-Alone Items

Protecting your stand-alone items is very important, and must be considered when packing. Shocks received during moving and transportation may cause damage. It is always better to over-protect than under-protect.

Please consider the following suggestions when packing and protecting your items:

  • Use Moving Blankets: If an item is delicate, such as your skis or snowboard, consider using moving blankets and tape to wrap and protect it.
  • Skis and Snowboards: Use a dedicated ski or snowboard bag, or wrap them with moving blankets and tape to prevent damage, especially on the base or edges. When storing skis, ensure that both skis are wrapped together using ski straps or tape. While we make every attempt to ensure your skis and snowboards are handled with care, Storagehotel is not liable for any damage or derangement to Fragile items such as scratches to skis and snowboards that can be easily caused by unavoidable movement during transport, such as when our moving truck goes over bumps on the road.
  • Mattresses and Mattress Toppers: Use a proper mattress bag to protect your mattress during moving. We require all mattresses to be sealed in a proper mattress bag. Mattress toppers must also be sealed in a bag. If you are storing a mattress topper, please seal it with properly sized mattress bag, or heavy-duty garbage bag. Please do not attempt to wrap your mattress in plastic wrap or something similar, as we've seen those materials rip very easily during transport, and it's very difficult to cover and fully seal every part of the mattress. If you do not have one, please contact us and we can provide one.
  • Bed Frames: Disassemble your bed frame, fold, and tape all the pieces together very securely. If there are any screws or bolts, keep these separately in a secure bag in one of your other boxes to avoid the risk of losing them during moving.
  • Drawers & Bins: When storing drawers or bins, tape the doors and lids shut, so they don't unexpectedly open and close during moving. Anything inside the drawers and bins should be firmly packed and secured to prevent shifting or damage during moving and transportation.
  • Electronics, TVs, & Monitors: When packing TVs or monitors, it is best to use the original manufacturer's packaging. Since they are the correct size and the original packing materials from the manufacturer, it is the best method to help ensure the safety of the contents if packed and utilized properly and securely. If you no longer have the original packaging, we recommend carefully packing them into a properly sized box, and protected using foam protection, moving blankets, and bubble wrap. Due to the delicate nature of electronics, TVs, and monitors, we are not liable for any sort of damage that occurs during moving, transport, or while in storage.
  • Microwave: Remove the glass insert in your microwave, and pack it with one of your other boxes so that it does not move around in the microwave and cause damage during moving. We recommend you carefully wrap and secure the glass insert with a moving blanket or towel to protect it from damage, or damaging other items in your box. Neatly roll up, bundle, and tape the power cord to the microwave so that it is not in the way or dangling on the ground.
  • Carpets & Rugs: Tightly roll up your carpets and rugs, and tape them in multiple places to secure them. Wrap them in plastic wrap to prevent dust and dirt from collecting or transferring to other items, including the items of other clients, during transportation and storage.
  • Lamps: Remove the light bulbs and cover the lamp shade with a plastic bag. Wrap in a moving blanket or towel and secure with tape before packing it into a box, to prevent damage during transport.
  • Suitcases & Luggage: Just like you would if you check in your suitcase on a flight, please make sure that your suitcases and luggage are properly zipped up, locked, or securely taped to prevent the contents from spilling during moving and transportation. If you have existing damage to your suitcase, please use perform the neccessary repairs such as using duct tape to patch any damage such as holes or cracks.

Please avoid storing Fragile Items with Storagehotel. Certain items require extra preparation, care, and handling during transportation and storage, and are easily susceptible to damage due to their fragile nature. We have policies that govern our transport and storage of items that could reasonably be called "fragile" ("Fragile Items"). Please review our Fragile Item Policy before you consider storing Fragile Items.

While we make every attempt to ensure your items are handled with care, Storagehotel is not liable for any damage or derangement to Fragile Items, cosmetic damage to items, damage to fragile items such as glassware or electronics, as well as damage that occurs due to improper or poor packing, overpacking, or poor quality of items or containers.

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Clean & Disinfect Your Items

To help your items maintain good condition, and to avoid growth of mold or the settling of dirt, dust, or stains, please clean your items before your pickup appointment.

Please consider the following suggestions when packing your items:

  • Clean, wipe, and dust off items with a damp cloth, disinfecting wipe, or feather duster.
  • Remove dirt, build-up, and stains with soapy water and a brush, sponge, cloth, or towel.
  • Disinfect items with disinfecting wipes, alcohol wipes, or sanitizing products.
  • Wash clothing, bedding, towels, and sheets with laundry detergent.
  • Vacuum, beat, and wash pillows, bedding, carpets, and rugs outdoors to remove built-up dirt and dust.

Cleaning your items is also very important to prevent the transmission of viruses and bacteria to our employees, clients, and others, and we take this very seriously. We have the right to reject any items that are of poor cleanliness.

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Label Your Items Clearly

Write your full name and contact information in permanent marker on your boxes/bins so that they can clearly be read and identified. This is also a great opportunity to decorate your Storagehotel boxes, and add your personal touch!

Label all of your stand-alone items with your full name and contact information by using things such as luggage tags or self-adhesive sticker labels that will not fall off during moving and transport.

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Return Unused Storagehotel Large Boxes

Storagehotel Large Boxes are free provided you store them with us in your storage plan. If you end up not using all the Storagehotel Large Boxes provided to you, you must return them to us in perfect condition during your pickup appointment.

Unused boxes that are not returned, or are returned with any damage, are subject to a $10 Box Replacement Fee per box. Please take excellent care of any unused storage boxes you plan to return.

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Questions?

Our Client Services team is here to help.