We all do it. We save little mementos and souvenirs from vacations, from places we've visited, and even from high school. Those things can be furniture, yearbooks, pictures, letters, sports equipment, tools, a shot glass from your vacation in Las Vegas, or even a dress or shirt worn in high school that does not even fit anymore! Chances are, if you've bought something new that replaces your old item, that old item will end up at the local Goodwill or worse, in your garage or in a storage building.



Face it. We all have a little bit of packrat behavior in us. For a long time, I still had decorations from my 8th grade graduation dance stored in a big plastic container. These items consisted of a few popped balloons, a silver star with my name on it, and the invitation to the dance itself. It was not important that I keep it in my home. It served absolutely no purpose. But it was part of my childhood, and I wanted to keep it for memories.

I had to do what I knew I needed to do. I went through all of my belongings that had been locked away into storage containers and threw out every single thing that I did not need. Throwing some of these things out was difficult, but what's more important is that I had memories from that specific event. For those who cannot throw these souvenirs away, these items will find a home in a storage building. Signing the papers to your portable garage is easy, but keeping your belongings clean and free from rodents and mold is another issue.

One of the very first things you need to ask is if the building is waterproof. The building that your storage unit is housed must be waterproof. Excessive moisture build up and rain that seeps in from underneath the door can wreak havoc on your belongings, particularly your furniture, clothing, and books, or anything that is made of a natural material.

The best and only thing you can do to protect your belongings is to seal them properly. Do not throw your items in the storage and expect them to be in good standing when you check on them next time. Make sure all smaller items, such as clothing, books, and souvenirs are kept in plastic bins that lock all moisture out. Furniture should be placed in giant plastic bags and the ends tied tightly to keep moisture from penetrating the bag.