Self storage units are a great way to free up some space in your home and office for the things that are most important to you. Millions of people around the world invest in self storage units to help them store everything from seasonal cars and recreational vehicles, to important personal documents, family heirlooms and seasonal clothing and decorations. Many people, however, don’t realize that certain items require climate controlled storage to ensure that they are fully protected. Below are four items that require a climate controlled storage unit. Appliances Appliances like refrigerators and ovens require climate controlled storage to ensure that their internal workings and moving parts don’t develop rust, which can damage mechanical parts and end up rendering…

If you have furniture in your home or office that you want to get out of your hair temporarily, you want to maintain it in good condition, so that you (or somebody) can get further use out of it in the future. If you are putting your furniture into a self storage unit, below are some tips on how to properly wrap and take care of it while it’s not in use. Clean Before You Wrap Before you place any furniture in storage, you have to clean it first. You should wipe down furniture with a clean cloth, and vacuum and/or shampoo the upholstery before it goes into storage. Any dirt that’s on your furniture when you place it into…

For people who are lucky enough to enjoy a recreational vehicle during the summer (or winter for that matter) you understand that owning a recreational vehicle is not without its chores. You don’t just put it into storage for the winter and then take it out, start it up and hit the road. The process of taking your RV out of short term storage is more involved. It requires some special know-how to ensure the vehicle is safe and ready for use. Below are four tips for taking your recreational vehicle out of storage. Consult the Owner’s Manual The owner’s manual is there for a reason: to teach you everything you need to know about safely and responsibly operating your…

Of all the industries that need a good self storage facility, perhaps none have a greater need than theatre and film. With all of the costumes, props, pulleys, curtains and other items necessary to put on complicated stage productions, theatre companies need space to store all of that stuff when it is not being used. If you are thinking about placing film or theatre items into storage, below are some tips for keeping them safe and secure while they are not in use. Packing and Preserving Costumes Costumes, like any expensive clothing, should be dry cleaned, put in garment bags that breathe, and stored in well-ventilated, professional quality wardrobe boxes. This is especially true for costumes that use natural textiles…

As much fun as owning a boat is, there are some upkeep and storage requirements that many boat owners wish they could simply do away with. Every time you put your boat away, or take it out for the summer, there is a list of things you have to do to make sure that you are not damaging the boat, and that it is safe to drive. If it’s that time of year again for you and the boat is coming out of your winter storage, below are some things to keep in mind when dewinterizing your boat. Check the Oil It is always a good idea to change the oil before you put a vehicle into storage, but if…

Self storage units help millions of people all over the world declutter their lives and securely store their valuables. Households and business owners alike use self storage units to get seasonal decorations and clothing out of the way, keep that summer vehicle safe and sound during winter, and store things such as family heirlooms and business inventory. If you have a storage unit, you know how important it is to keep it organized, so that it doesn’t become a chore just to get in and out when you need to. Below are four tips for organizing your storage unit. Be Consistent with Your Box Sizes When you put all of your stored items in boxes of the same size, it…

The spring looks like it is finally upon us and that means, among other things, making way for all of the spring gear and equipment you are going to need. You are going to want to get all of that winter equipment out of the way so that you have room for your spring stuff, but if you don’t have enough room in your house for both, you might want to consider outsourcing your storage to a self storage facility. Below are some tips for properly storing your winter equipment. Clothing Anything fabric, whether it’s jackets, scarves, mittens, or big winter blankets, must go into storage for the spring and summer clean and dry. Wet, dirty winter clothing can quickly…

Moving overseas for work is stressful enough as it is without having to worry about what you are going to do with all your stuff. It can be especially stressful if you are leaving all of your stuff behind and you don’t know what you are going to do with it. If you are moving overseas for the long haul, or just for a little while, and you are using short term storage while you figure out what you are going do, below are some tips for moving your items. Break Down the Large Items If you are going to be storing the majority of your furniture, you are going to want to maximize your return on investment by breaking…

If you are planning a home renovation, chances are you have prepared yourself for the accompanying expenses. One of those that you have hopefully already considered, is what you are going to do with your furniture while you are renovating. If it is an extensive renovation and you don’t have room anywhere else in your home or business to store your furniture, one of the things that you might consider is storing your furniture in a self storage unit. Below are some things to know when placing your furniture in self storage during a renovation. Give the Storage Unit a Once-Over Before Storing Anything It is always a good idea to inspect your storage unit before putting anything into it,…

There are a wide range of different storage options available on the market. Some of these options include climate control, surveillance options and drive up accessibility. Drive up storage means that you are able to drive your vehicle right to the entrance of your storage unit for easy loading and unloading, so you can be in and out of a storage unit fast. If you are thinking about investing in a new, or your first storage unit, consider some of the below benefits that come with a drive up storage unit. Park at the Door Most of the damage that is done to your belongings doesn’t happen while they are in storage, it happens while you are transferring things from…

Whether you run a business or a home, chances are you accumulate a lot of paper throughout the year. Much of it is important documentation that you need for taxes, etc., but much of it you don’t necessarily need. Switching over from paper storage to digital not only saves a ton of space, but moving forward, you can help minimize your carbon footprint decreasing the amount of paper that you need to run your life. Below are some tips for converting your paper storage to digital. Get Rid of Small Things One of the biggest contributors to unnecessary paper storage is receipts. Instead of keeping every single receipt in hard copy somewhere in your home or business, you can utilize…

If you’ve ever used self storage before, you know that not all storage units are created equal. Some are basic, some come with specialty features such as climate control. Now some items need the extra care, and some don’t, but when it comes to storing fine art, you definitely are going to want to look into things like climate controlled storage to make sure that the art doesn’t deteriorate because of the environment. Below are some fine art storage tips to help you make sure your belongings are well protected. Protect Your Framed Pieces You are going to want to wrap the pieces up tightly with a storage blanket or bubble wrap, and then use some packing tape to seal…

We all have to admit it to ourselves sometimes: we accumulate too much. Whether it be gifts, poorly thought out purchases, things we’ve outgrown, or simply things that we don’t have space for anymore, sometimes we just need to offload junk. Ideally, we don’t want to simply throw things away, we want to be able to make some money off of the things we don’t have any use for. Below are some tips for selling your unwanted junk. Find Out How Much Your Junk Goes for If you are selling something, especially something that you think could be in relatively high demand, you might want to consider going online and figuring out what the market price is. If it’s something…

Many people who are fortunate enough to have seasonal cars, or simply need one for business, or because of the area of the country they live in, turn to self storage units to take care of their vehicles during the long winter months. Putting your car into self storage over the winter involves some special procedures to make sure it is fully functional when you take it out, but taking it out also involves some care and consideration to make sure you are not damaging the car. Below are some tips for taking your old car out of winter storage. Inspect the Battery The most important step when removing your car from a self storage unit is inspecting the battery.…

You may be thinking about investing in a self storage space to help you declutter your life, or simply because you have some valuable items that you don’t feel comfortable keeping around the home, yard or office. You may also be considering the best way to maximize your return on investment. While that is always wise financial thinking, it is equally wise to keep in mind the old saying, you get what you pay for. DIY storage units are available, but they are not always the best option. Below are four reasons to avoid cheap, DIY self storage. No Security One of the biggest upsides to investing in professional self storage is that it comes with security. There will be…

You’ve gone an invested some money in a self storage space. You’ve decluttered your home, made space in your office, and are feeling good about the money well-spent, but now you have to think about what you are going to do to keep the storage unit clean. Just like any other property you own or lease, it is your responsibility to keep it as neat and organized as you would like it to be. A self storage unit does require some upkeep, but the below cleaning tips will help you ensure that your storage space is always tidy and well looked after. Purge Many people invest money in a self storage unit because they think it will help them declutter…

Many people all over the world turn to self storage units to help them manage clutter, store important valuable items, and make space for seasonal items. The peace of mind and the economizing of space that comes from investing in a self storage unit is usually well worth the money. Storage pricing varies, depending on location, size, amenities and other factors. If you are considering investing in a self storage unit and are wondering if it makes financial sense to do so, below are some of the things to consider. Opportunity Cost When considering storage pricing, regardless of the self storage unit and facility you decide to go with, a good way to put things into perspective is to consider…

There comes a point in many vehicles’ lives when they become temporarily unneeded, or simply need to be moved out of the way. Some people are lucky enough to have space on their property to store them, but others turn to outside storage facilities for assistance. Whether you personally are providing the storage space, or are looking for a storage facility to do the job for you, below are some tips to help you prep your vehicle for short or long-term storage. Clean Thoroughly When putting a vehicle in storage, whether long or short-term, it is essential that it be put away clean. Leaving dirt and grime inside or outside the vehicle can cause unwanted smells, fabric damage and paint…