Long term bag storage in a storage unit - advice needed

[lady-dior]

I’m in the UK and am moving out of my house this week, I’ll be living in a hotel temporarily and need to move all of my designer bags into a storage unit with my furniture, etc.

It’s not temperature controlled, none of them are in the UK

In summer it will likely get hot and in winter it will likely get cold

My things will be in storage for approximately 12 months and I can’t take them with me because I can’t get insurance, but they will be insured in the storage unit

I’m not very happy about it, and I’m very worried

Any advice on how I can pack them

They are all in their dust bags, will they be okay in their dust bags in cardboard boxes if I wrap them gently with sheets between the dust bags so things don’t move and everything stays upright? This is the only thing I can think of.

I have absolutely no time to buy anything like acid free paper in case anyone suggests that

I literally have to pack them with what I have and they are going Thursday morning

Any suggestions would be appreciated at this point because I can’t think of anything else to do when I’m starting to panic

 

[Rainbow.fish]

I have some experience with this as I moved and transported my items internationally and I was very worried about my bags in transit because of the heat and humidity.

I moved everything in their original boxes and I used desiccant sachets in each box to protect from humidity (I used the brand Wisedry which is available in the uk).

Honestly I wouldn’t suggest just keeping them in dust bags with sheets between them. I would be worried that they might get indentation from chains or other marks from compression. It would be better to keep them in their original boxes if possible and pack these into larger boxes. If this is not an options then I would wrap in dust bags but use felt wraps for secure the chains and place the desiccant inside the bags. Maybe use bubble wrap to place between the bags to protect them from damaging each other.
Wisedry is very good quality and I used them without any spillage. Cheaper brands of desiccant can break open and cause damage to the leather.

Wisedry also does large sachets and these can be placed inside the bigger boxes. I did this also for extra protection. I think storage in the uk is generally more stable than other countries but it’s better to be cautious.

 

[KRossignol]

I would use plastic containers instead of cardboard if they must go in a storage unit in case there is any sort of water damage to the unit.

 

[lady-dior]

I would use plastic containers instead of cardboard if they must go in a storage unit in case there is any sort of water damage to the unit.

I have insurance, which will cover my bags so I should be okay if something like that happens. But I’m crossing my fingers and hoping but obviously it doesn’t.
I only have cardboard containers and I’m moving tomorrow so only 12 hours left to pack. Thank you.

 

[lady-dior]

I have some experience with this as I moved and transported my items internationally and I was very worried about my bags in transit because of the heat and humidity.

I moved everything in their original boxes and I used desiccant sachets in each box to protect from humidity (I used the brand Wisedry which is available in the uk).

Honestly I wouldn’t suggest just keeping them in dust bags with sheets between them. I would be worried that they might get indentation from chains or other marks from compression. It would be better to keep them in their original boxes if possible and pack these into larger boxes. If this is not an options then I would wrap in dust bags but use felt wraps for secure the chains and place the desiccant inside the bags. Maybe use bubble wrap to place between the bags to protect them from damaging each other.
Wisedry is very good quality and I used them without any spillage. Cheaper brands of desiccant can break open and cause damage to the leather.

Wisedry also does large sachets and these can be placed inside the bigger boxes. I did this also for extra protection. I think storage in the uk is generally more stable than other countries but it’s better to be cautious.

Thank you for your response

I have some sachets of silica gel, which I will be putting in with my bags

I’ve read a number of places and I remember Chanel told me when I bought the bags not to keep them in the boxes

So I’m thinking in the dust bag, I already have all the chains protected so hopefully they won’t be any indentations in the leather, then stuffing cotton sheets in the boxes loosely so the bags aren’t touching each other and hopefully won’t move

I don’t want to use any bubble wrap because if there is any hot or cold or humidity, it might sweat so I don’t want that to happen

Then it’s crossed my fingers and hope for the best. I have insurance so if the worst happens, I’m covered hopefully.

 

[Rainbow.fish]

That sounds like a good plan!

I have been collecting Chanel bags since 2008 and I have always stored all my bags in the boxes with the dustbags. My bags are still pristine and no issues with mould or discolouration or any leather issues. I haven’t experienced any flattening of quilts either so this advice always confused me. I use felt wraps to keep the chains protected.

Hermes always advise keeping bags in their boxes so I always wondered why Chanel advise that - I have heard that said a few times in this forum before that people also received that advice.

 

[lady-dior]

That sounds like a good plan!

I have been collecting Chanel bags since 2008 and I have always stored all my bags in the boxes with the dustbags. My bags are still pristine and no issues with mould or discolouration or any leather issues. I haven’t experienced any flattening of quilts either so this advice always confused me. I use felt wraps to keep the chains protected.

Hermes always advise keeping bags in their boxes so I always wondered why Chanel advise that - I have heard that said a few times in this forum before that people also received that advice.

Yes, I know what you mean. I’m going to err on the side of caution and not pack them in their boxes.

 

[CParis815]

Can you get a friend or family to hold them for you?

 

[lady-dior]

Can you get a friend or family to hold them for you?

They are now in storage because I moved just over a week ago. Unfortunately, they are only insured in the storage unit.

 

[onlyk]

I would sell all my bags then rebuy them once I moved into a house if have to put them in storage for such a long period of time, save the storage and insurance cost and worry free.

 

[Rainbow.fish]

I don’t know about the original poster but most Chanel bags are not replaceable because of the different seasons and Chanel not repeating seasonal colours. I know my own collection would be extremely difficult to replace. Classics can be re purchased but given the astronomically price increases over the past few years it would be cheaper to pay the storage and insurance.

 

[Bag peace]

You don't need this anymore OP but, for future reference, there are absolutely climate controlled storage units in the UK. I've rented units for years while I was moving and they controlled for heat, cold and humidity. Cube Storage and other similar companies offer climate controlled units to rent weekly, monthly or annually. Just FYI in case you ever have another big move.

 

[lady-dior]

You don't need this anymore OP but, for future reference, there are absolutely climate controlled storage units in the UK. I've rented units for years while I was moving and they controlled for heat, cold and humidity. Cube Storage and other similar companies offer climate controlled units to rent weekly, monthly or annually. Just FYI in case you ever have another big move.

I just had a look, cube storage is in East Sussex. I am in Lancashire. I just had a quick look for Climate controlled storage in Lancashire and nothing came up. There may be others but not near me I’m afraid thanks

 

[lady-dior]

I don’t know about the original poster but most Chanel bags are not replaceable because of the different seasons and Chanel not repeating seasonal colours. I know my own collection would be extremely difficult to replace. Classics can be re purchased but given the astronomically price increases over the past few years it would be cheaper to pay the storage and insurance.

Quite agree. Am not going to re-buy the bags I have, given they cost thousands more than when I bought them. You are right the storage and insurance is a lot cheaper than selling my bags at a loss and re-buying them at an increased cost that’s if I can actually get hold of them again

 

[lady-dior]

I would sell all my bags then rebuy them once I moved into a house if have to put them in storage for such a long period of time, save the storage and insurance cost and worry free.

I’d make a loss and they would cost me thousands more to re-buy them. The storage and insurance is a lot cheaper. And if anything happened to them, the insurance will buy me a new one.