How To Pack Books For Long Term Storage
If you are a bibliophile, you probably own tons of books. This can be a huge problem if you decide that you need to travel for work for a little while or need to move into a small apartment right after college. You might not know what to do with all of your books. Luckily, it is relatively easy for you to put them in self-storage without them being damaged. Here are some tips for making sure that, when you go to retrieve your books after getting a house with space for a library, they are still in great condition.
1. Use Plastic Boxes and Silica Packets
Your first step is to procure enough plastic boxes to fit all of your books. Make sure that these boxes have lids that fit tightly. You want to use plastic boxes in order to be sure that, should a disaster occur, your books will be safe from both insects and moisture damage alike. Make sure that you have a few silica packets available to throw in each box in order too make sure that you absorb any additional moisture that might invade the box.
2. Use Packing Paper or Acid Free Paper
Next, line the bottoms of the plastic boxes with packing paper or acid free paper. You don't want to use newsprint or anything that has ink on it or else you risk having the ink rub off on your books. Start stacking your books on top of the paper, with the larger books on the bottom to provide a secure base for the books at the top. Between each book, place a sheet of the packing paper or acid free paper. This will keep your books from sticking together and will provide an additional layer of protection against moisture. Alternate which way the spine is facing in order to get a more even stack.
3. Pack Paperbacks As Tightly As Possible
If you are packing boxes that contain nothing but paperbacks, make sure that you pack them as tightly as possible. You want to be sure that their covers and pages stay in the correct shape and you can rely on the books around it to keep the pages looking great. Don't worry about adding extra paper if you are cramming a box full of paperbacks. Try to avoid packing a box with books that have their spines facing down because this could cause undue pressure on the spines, resulting in the books falling apart more quickly.
To learn more about storage solutions, visit a website like www.foothillsstorage.net
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