Whether you are relocating across the country or simply cleaning and organizing your home, storing your belongings can be beneficial. Books, clothes, holiday decorations, and collectibles may be the most common items to put in storage, but storing important documents that are not needed every day is also smart. Here are a few simple solutions to help you store important documents long-term.
Shred
Before you can begin storing, you should spend some time organizing your paperwork to determine what you must actually keep. Certain items, such as passports, social security cards, and birth certificates should not be placed in long-term storage because they are often needed. Add these items to a fire- and water-proof safe and keep it in your home or with you during a move.
Most people will try and hold on to bills, loan papers, and tax returns for many years, but you do not actually need to keep these documents in your possession for that long. Unless you are a business owner or you have not filed your returns each year, you should only keep the tax returns for the last 3 years.
Invest in a paper shredder or paper recycling service that will dispose of these documents in a safe, eco-friendly manner. Disposing documents you actually do not need will reduce the space and time needed to place your items in storage.
Contain
Never place your documents in a bag or folder and assume this will be sufficient to protect this important paperwork. You should use rubber and plastic filing totes to protect your documents from insects, moisture, and dust.
For other documents, such as bill statements, loan papers, tax returns, and other important items, organize and store them in a rubber or plastic filing box. Use filing hangers and stickers to label each folder according to its content. It is smart to place all like items together in one filing box. For example, store real estate documents together on one box and tax returns in another filing container.
Condition
In most areas, there are multiple storage facilities available. While each will offer its own pros and cons, you should only consider a climate controlled facility.
Excess heat and humidity and even freezing temperatures can discolor, fade, and warp your paper documents over time. A climate controlled storage unit will ensure your belongings are stored in a safe, comfortable temperature.
Storing documents may not seem like a fun task, but it can be helpful during a move or when organizing your home. These tips will help you store documents in a simple, safe, and effective manner. Keep these tips in mind when looking at different storage facility options, like National Self Storage - Denver.
Share