Our Ultimate Moving Supplies Checklist for Moving Into Self-Storage in Cincinnati

Moving Supplies
Every move has a lot of moving parts. From organizing your items and packing them to loading up the vehicle and safely unloading your items at the destination, it takes some careful planning and execution to have a successful moving day.

One missing piece of your moving puzzle is having the right supplies on hand to help make moving day go more smoothly. Read our ultimate moving supplies checklist for moving into self-storage in Cincinnati for more details.

Essential Moving Supplies Checklist

See this comprehensive moving supplies checklist for the various stages of moving your items into storage:

1. Packing Supplies

● Boxes of various sizes so that your items will be snug.
● Plastic bins if you want something sturdier than cardboard boxes.
● Bubble wrap to protect fragile items.
● Packing paper for wrapping glassware and other delicate items.
● Furniture pads and blankets to protect large items from scratches.
● Stretch wrap to secure drawers, furniture, or grouped items.
● Plastic zipper bags to organize small parts (e.g., screws, bolts), labeled and taped to their corresponding furniture.
● Filler items like packing peanuts, kraft paper, old clothing, towels, or bags of air so that your items are secure in their boxes or bins.

2. Organizing and Labeling Tools

● Markers for labeling boxes.
● Labels, pre-made or blank, for clear identication.
● Packing tape dispenser to seal boxes quickly and easily.

● Detailed inventory list of what’s in each box for easy retrieval later.


3. Tools for Assembly and Disassembly

● Screw drivers and wrenches to take apart furniture if necessary.
● Allen wrenches for items like beds or desks.
● Rubber mallet for gentle assembly or disassembly.

4. Moving Equipment

● Dolly or hand truck for heavy or multiple boxes.
● Furniture sliders to help move heavy furniture with ease.
● Ropes or bungee cords or securing items during transit.

5. Cleaning Supplies

● Broom and dustpan to clean the storage unit before placing items (if needed).
● Microber cloths for wiping surfaces before packing.
● Dusting spray to clean furniture or wooden items before storing them.

6. Protective Gear

● Work gloves for handling heavy or sharp items.
● Closed-toe shoes to protect your feet during the move.

7. Miscellaneous

● Flashlight in case you access your outdoor unit at night.
● Scissors or box cutters can help you open any boxes in storage.
● Measuring tape to see if larger items will fit in the unit.

8. Climate-Sensitive Items

● Silica gel packets absorb moisture as temperatures change
● Plastic sheeting to cover items for dust and moisture protection.

Specialty Packing Supplies

You might need some specialty packing supplies depending on what you’re sending to storage in Cincinnati. Keep in mind that climate-sensitive items like electronics, wooden furniture, clothes, mattresses, and papers might do better with climate-controlled storage versus pull-up units.

See this checklist of specialty packing supplies for unique moving needs:

1. Fragile Items

● Dish packing kits have dividers and foam inserts for plates, glasses, and mugs.
● Mirror or picture boxes are special at boxes for mirrors, artwork, or frames.
● Custom foam inserts are molded foam for electronics or delicate equipment, which works if you don’t have the original boxes these items came in.
● Corrugated cardboard sheets for extra protection between items in boxes, such as dishes.

2. Electronics

● Anti-static bubble wrap protects electronics from static electricity.
● Electronics boxes are reinforced and specically designed for computers, TVs, or gaming consoles. However, the original box you bought these in is best.
● Cable organizers are Velcro ties or reusable straps for bundling cords.

3. Oddly Shaped Items

● Wardrobe boxes help keep tall items of clothing organized with built-in hanging bars for clothing.
● Golf club cases are hard or soft cases for protecting golf clubs during the move. Or you could just use your golf bag.
● Mattress bags are heavy-duty plastic bags for mattresses and box springs.
● Ski or snowboard bags offer padded cases for sporting equipment.

4. Long-Term Protection

● Vacuum-seal bags are space savers that compress and protect clothing or linens.
● Moisture absorbers can help limit moisture damage to sensitive items.
● Car cover if you are storing a vehicle in a parking spot.

6. Heavy or Bulky Items

● Moving straps can help lift and carry large, heavy items, or bulky items, such as a mattress, dinette set, or dresser.
● Corner protectors for furniture or large framed items.
● Four-wheeled cart that makes moving things easier when using a moving truck. If you’re moving a piano or very heavy piece of furniture, use caution when lifting the item onto the wheeled cart.

7. Musical Instruments

● Instrument cases are padded and sized for guitars, violins, or keyboards. You could also use the original box the instrument came in if you still have it.
● Foam wrap to cushion instruments inside their cases for extra protection.

8. Documents

● Fireproof document bags for important paperwork and documents.
● Fireproof safe box with a key to keep documents safe.
● File cabinet for climate-controlled storage.

Moving Tools & Equipment

Moving tools and equipment can make it easier when you have large items you want to put in storage. Many of these items can be rented from specialty moving companies in Cincinnati. These are items that can help you move items to and from storage for DIY options. Moving companies often already have this equipment. These items are great if you have a home renovation project and you need to move furniture in and out.

Think about these items if you need extra storage for business needs, whether you have extra inventory or your business (like a moving company) relies on storage to make your moving jobs easier.

1. Heavy Items

● An appliance dolly is specically designed for heavy appliances like refrigerators or washing machines. It has long handles made of sturdy steel with padded arms that keep the appliances from getting scratched.
● A furniture lifting jack uses levers to easily lift heavy items for placement on sliders or a four-wheeled cart.

2. Tight Spaces or Stairs

● A stair-climbing hand truck is a dolly with rotating wheels for navigating stairs.
● Pry bars can help you maneuver heavy items in tight spaces when you can’t get your hands on an item.
● Portable ramps can help load items into trucks or across uneven surfaces in a home.

3. Disassembly and Assembly of Large Items

● A power drill with bits quickly removes screws or bolts. You can nd affordable, portable, battery-operated models at hardward stores.
● Consider a hex key (Allen wrench) set with a ratcheting handle for faster disassembly of furniture with hex screws. If you have a lot of heavy items that you need to remove legs, this is a great tool set. Plus, you might need this later on. Again, there are affordable sets out there for basic needs.

4. Securing Items

● Cargo bars are extendable bars to secure items inside a moving truck, which is helpful if you have large, heavy items but can’t ll up an entire truck.
● Ratchet straps are heavy-duty straps for keeping large or heavy items immobile during transport. These work similarly to cargo bars in that they can keep things secure as the truck moves back and forth.
● Stretch netting is elastic netting that holds grouped items together securely.

5. Protection and Padding

● Foam corners can safeguard the edges of furniture or frames.
● Door frame protectors are thin foam pads that protect doorways during moves.
● Floor protectors are roll-out mats or adhesive lm for protecting oors from scratches or dirt.

6. Convenience and Efficiency

● Tool belt or pouch to keep essential tools easily accessible during the move to self-storage in Cincinnati.
● Label printer for creating clear, professional labels on the spot.
● Utility carts are multi-level carts for transporting smaller items efciently. They are also great for keeping small items organized in your storage unit in Cincinnati.

7. Safety

● Back braces reduce strain during heavy lifting.
● Safety glasses protect your eyes during assembly/disassembly or when working with tools.

8. Large or Irregular Loads

● A panel dolly is a dolly specically designed for moving large at items like a mattress, large wall hanging, or rolled-up rugs.
● A piano board or skid is a at, reinforced surface for moving pianos or similarly heavy and unwieldy items. You’ll need this if you plan on moving a piano down a ight of stairs before heading to storage.
● Crate pallets are great for stacking and transporting irregularly shaped loads in storage crates. Think about this when transporting inventory for a business.

9. Vehicle Loading

● Cargo organizers offer compartmentalized organizers for small or delicate items in a moving truck.
● Large bungee cords to keep items together in the truck. There should be bars on the side that allow you to hook the cords onto them.

10. Outdoor Moves Using a Flatbed Trailer

● Tarps with grommets for covering items in case of rain.
● Latching tie-downs to tighten items in the trailer so they don’t shift.

Cleaning Supplies

Before you move items into storage, you want to clean things to keep items fresh. Items like grease on appliances can attract pests, bugs, and bacteria, so it’s best to clean items before putting them in storage, whether you need a drive-up unit or climate-controlled storage in Cincinnati. When cleaning, make sure everything is dry before putting them on a truck and into storage. You don’t want any lingering moisture if you can help it.

1. Deep Cleaning

● Heavy-duty degreaser for cleaning kitchen appliances, stoves, and ranges before going into storage.
● Carpet stain remover for tackling stubborn stains on rugs before rolling them up.

2. Tall & Large Items

● Extendable duster for cleaning tall items like a dinette set or hutch.
● Crevice tool attachment on a vacuum for sucking up dirt and dust in narrow or hard-to-reach spots on furniture or large items.

3. Specialized Surfaces

● Stainless steel cleaner for refrigerators, dishwashers, or other stainless steel appliances.
● Anti-microbial cleaner to remove any mold or mildew from outdoor furniture that’s about to go into storage.
● Leather cleaner for luxury furniture.

4. Odor Control

● Enzyme-based odor removers eliminate pet, smoke, or mildew odors.
● Air-purifying bags with activated charcoal absorb odors in storage.

5. Heavy Messes

● Scraper tools can remove stuck-on debris like tape residue or dried paint.
● Industrial-strength cleaning wipes are pre-moistened wipes for tough messes, such as inside ovens or on pet furniture.
● A steam cleaner works well for deep-cleaning rugs and upholstered furniture.

6. Delicate Items

● Glass cleaner with an anti-streak formula is ideal for mirrors, display cases, a coffee table, or other glass furniture.
● Microber towels don’t leave lint behind when cleaning delicate or polished surfaces.

7. Drive-Up Storage Unit Prep

● Pest control traps or repellants for bugs and rodents.
● Disc lock to keep your unit secure.

8. Personal Safety

● Rubber gloves with long cuffs to protect your hands during cleaning with harsh chemicals such as bleach.
● Safety glasses to prevent splashes from harsh cleaners going into your eyes.
● Non-slip shoes or boots to prevent slipping on ice or snow if you’re moving during inclement weather.

9. Quick Cleanups

● Pre-treated disposable cleaning cloths for quick, single-use cleaning.
● Handheld vacuum for small messes when moving items from your home into storage.

Personal Items


1. Clothing and Accessories

● Garment bags are perfect for protecting formal wear or delicate clothing during transport and in storage.
● Shoe boxes or dividers keep shoes organized.
● Hats and accessory boxes for hats, belts, and other delicate accessories.
● Portable clothing rack on wheels when you have a lot of clothing to store.

2. Documents and Sentimental Items

● Photo albums or keepsake boxes provide sturdy, padded containers for photos or sentimental items that can prevent them from sticking together if the items themselves are laid on top of each other.
● Protective plastic sleeves protect single important documents or photos.

3. Electronics and Gadgets

● A cable management bag can organize and protect chargers, cords, and adapters for devices.
● Plastic ties that can keep multiple cords together for a large electronic item.
● Low-adhesive tape to tape electrical cords to the outside of appliances to keep the cords from dragging on the oor.

4. Fragile Personal Items

● Padded memory boxes for heirlooms or other keepsakes.
● Specialty display case boxes for trophies, collectibles, or delicate memorabilia.
● Foam pouches for protecting small gurines or fragile personal items.

Packing Tips & Strategies


Here is a quick list of things to do as you pack items to move into storage:

1. Pack heavier items in smaller boxes and lighter items in larger boxes to balance weight.
2. Mark each box with its contents to make them easier to locate in storage.
3. Don’t overpack boxes to keep them manageable, prevent injury, and ensure boxes don’t break.
4. Wrap delicate items in bubble wrap or packing paper and label boxes as "fragile."
5. Organize the storage unit using aisles and rows for easy access, especially if you have long-term storage needs.
6. Use sturdy tables to keep lightweight items on top.
7. Keep a step stool in the unit in case your aisles and rows get taller than you can reach.
8. Take apart bulky items to save space and prevent damage, like removing legs from tables. Keep the hardware in labeled bags.
9. Use an inventory management app to take photos and keep notes on which boxes contain what items are in storage.
10. Check on your storage unit periodically to make sure things are in order.

We Carry Some Retail Moving Supplies at Our Locations

Circle Storage has eight convenient locations throughout the Greater Cincinnati area, all of which have retail moving supplies. Feel free to contact us or call the closest facility to you to nd out what we have available. We’re one of Cincinnati’s largest, independently owned and operated self-storage companies.