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Storage Tips
While considering what you want to keep in your storage unit, make a list of the items you plan to store and give a copy of the list to the manager of the storage facility. A contract stating you will abide by rules and regulations including not storing certain types of items is required by most self storage facilities. A manager can clarify what can and cannot be stored, but here are some suggestions.
- Weapons Any type of weapon is generally banned from being kept in storage facilities; this includes antique firearms as these items can still be potentially dangerous.
- Toxic, explosive or combustible items Potentially explosive materials including paint and paint thinner, gas and propane (including tanks), motor oil, cleaning or corrosive agents, alcohol, and firecrackers cannot be stored in a self storage unit as these materials may be hazardous to your health as well as others. If you have kerosene lamps they should be emptied and cleaned out before storing them. Be sure to ask a facility manager in any case where you are unsure if an item is explosive or not.
- Radioactive materials and equipment You may not be aware of it, but radioactive materials can be found in some medical supplies. While most medical equipment can be stored, items containing radioactive materials cannot.
- Perishable animal products or food items Properly sealed canned food items may be kept in storage units; however, you cannot store perishable food items (i.e. cereal, flour, dairy products or meat), cat litter or pet food as they may quickly spoil and may create an odor that attracts bugs and rodents.
- Some construction equipment Many construction companies place equipment into storage units when they have an abundance, however, there are some exceptions to what may be kept in a self storage unit. For example, it is a violation of the law to place any equipment used for underground drilling or tracking of water into a storage unit. If you wish to store construction equipment check with the facility manager for a list of items that may not be stored, the list may vary and is subject to change.
- Unregistered or nonoperational vehicles In order to keep a vehicle in storage it must be operational as well as being correctly registered with current license and insurance. You hold sole liability for any stored vehicle including any damage that could be caused by the vehicle, this makes insurance a necessity. There may be a limit on the number of tires that can be stored in a single unit, helping to keep the cost of disposing of tires down should you default on your contract and be unable to claim your items.
- Humans, animals, and plants While it may seem obvious, people, plants, and animals, whether dead or alive, are prohibited from being placed in storage. Even if your storage unit is climate-controlled, for your safety and the security of other patrons, storage units cannot be used as a place to live, even if it is temporary.
Storing your unused home appliances is an easy, affordable solution; here are some tips for making sure your appliances stay in great condition while stored.
Clean
When storing a clothes washer or dishwasher it is best to run a complete cleaning cycle while the unit is empty, adding a cup of bleach or vinegar instead of soap or detergent. After the cycle is complete, clean and dry the interior of the machine completely.
Cleaning the interior is especially important in refrigerators, dishwashers and ovens since food and sugar may draw bugs. Make sure to clean and dry the defrost pan in refrigerators (check underneath or behind the refrigerator). o Make sure to pay special attention to cleaning any rubber seals around appliance doors since mildew collects easily in this area. o Clean the exterior well, including any vents or intake areas. o When appliance is clean, spray it will an insect deterrent to prevent infestation.
Drain
Make sure to empty all water from tanks, hoses/tubing and any other components to help from damaging the appliance during freezing temperatures.
Protect
If the appliance has fragile pieces including glass shelves, be sure to remove them and transfer them separately to prevent damage. Be sure to mark any fragile parts as such so when you take them out of storage they will remain protected. Use blankets or bubble wrap to prevent scratching the finish or denting the outside of the appliance. Remember: refrigerators should always be transported in an upright position.
Secure
Use a sturdy tape that will not leave residue (try painter’s tape) to hold appliance doors closed while moving. When you have the unit when you want it be sure to remove the tape the prop the door open to keep from mildewing.
Store
If storing in a region that encounters high & low temperatures, temperature swings, or high humidity areas, you may want to choose a climate controlled storage unit. This will help maintain the mechanical or electronic parts of appliances; it will also help prevent rust/fissures. o If you are storing your appliances with smaller household items it is a good idea to load your appliances on the truck last and place them in your storage unit first. This will allow you to easily place the bulky appliances at the back of the storage unit for easier access to your smaller household items at the front. o Try to avoid placing heavy, bulky items inside your appliances while they are stored as this may cause damage. o Make sure to find a way to prop the appliance door open to keep from mildewing. You may also want to place an open box of baking soda inside the appliance to help prevent odors. o Drape appliances with a breathable material like a sheet to help keep it dust free while in storage.
Ready to clean and declutter? Get the most out of your yard sale, with the help of storage!
A self storage unit is the perfect solution while trying to organize for a yard sale. An empty unit is a great place to sort through, organize and price all of your items. The storage unit will also allow you concentrate on preparing for the sale without distractions. As a bonus, if you have your sale with friends or family, you can split the cost of the storage unit which will greatly reduce the cost per person.
While you are dropping things off at your storage unit keep them sorted by categories. To help with this think of how you may see items arranged in a department store, for example: clothes, toys, kitchen, appliances, sports equipment, etc. Doing so will help to save you time as your sale draws near. As your yard sale approaches, prepare the area you will have your sale by setting up racks and tables before you bring your item over from storage. By having an idea of where you are going to put things, you will only need to unload your items and everything will be pre-sorted and priced. If you plan to have a sale quarterly, bi-yearly or annually, you can bring items to your storage unit throughout the year and keep things clean and well-organized, so that setting up for your sale will be easy.
A few last sale tips include being sure that you have enough cash on hand, pay careful attention that you have enough small bills and coins to make change. Have a comfortable chair to sit in and well as water and food to last you the length of your sale. You may also want to have boxes and bags available for customers to take away their new goodies. Lastly, if you expect the sale to be large, you may want to enlist help so you can watch your merchandise and deal with multiple customers at once.
Before you throw away the tissue paper and empty boxes from the holiday season, try recycling them to store your holiday decorations.
Here are some tips for storing:
Ornaments
- Put used wrapping and tissue paper through a paper shredder to use as filler
- Use egg cartons to separate and protect small ornaments
- Use a partitioned cardboard wine box to store tissue-wrapped ornaments, stacking on top of one another
- Keep any especially fragile ornaments towards the top of a box
- Keep any food-based decorations (i.e. cinnamon and applesauce ornaments) in separate sandwich bags and place in tin container to keep pests away.
- Place silver ornaments in tarnish-proof bags to keep them looking new
- Place hooks and hangers in a small container with multiple dividers (i.e. tackle box tray, school supply box)
Garland
You can store a large amount of garland in a plastic box, pressing it down as you add more o Alternatively, use the garland as a filler to cushion spaces between your decorations Lights o Wrap lights around empty wrapping paper tubes and tape the ends to the tube to keep them from tangling o Keep replacement bulbs and fuses in a plastic sandwich bag and tuck it inside the tube.
Taking extra precautions to protect your belongings when preparing to store them will help prevent them from shifting or breaking while moving. It will also help protect items from the elements of the weather while keeping them dust-free while in storage.
Begin by making a list of items you plan on storing, you can use it as an outline to determine the type and quantity of packing supplies you will need. It will also help you to determine the appropriate size of the storage unit you will need. You should use good quality packing materials to ensure long-term protection, even if you plan to only have your items in storage for a short duration.
Keep in mind, newspaper can scratch delicate items and smudge ink so while it seems like a simple solution, it often just causes more problems. The same is true of plastic trash bags as they retain moisture and can damage items kept inside them.
Here is an idea of some things you may need:
- Specially Made Boxes for Dishes and China, Mattresses, Lamps, Utilities (i.e. mops, brooms, cleaning supplies), Wardrobe Mirrors, Televisions, Poster tubes
- Various Sized Boxes for Everyday Items
- Reinforced Boxes/Totes for Fragile Items
- File Boxes for Documents
- Bubble Wrap & Shrink Wrap
- White Tissue Paper
- Styrofoam Peanuts
- Foam Egg Crates
- Sofa and Chair Covers
- Packaging Tape
- Scissors & Box Knife
- Labels & Markers
- Dolly for Heavy Appliances
Have any more questions about storing with us? Feel free to contact us, and we'll be happy to assist you!
What NOT to Store in Your Storage Unit
While considering what you want to keep in your storage unit, make a list of the items you plan to store and give a copy of the list to the manager of the storage facility. A contract stating you will abide by rules and regulations including not storing certain types of items is required by most self storage facilities. A manager can clarify what can and cannot be stored, but here are some suggestions.
- Weapons Any type of weapon is generally banned from being kept in storage facilities; this includes antique firearms as these items can still be potentially dangerous.
- Toxic, explosive or combustible items Potentially explosive materials including paint and paint thinner, gas and propane (including tanks), motor oil, cleaning or corrosive agents, alcohol, and firecrackers cannot be stored in a self storage unit as these materials may be hazardous to your health as well as others. If you have kerosene lamps they should be emptied and cleaned out before storing them. Be sure to ask a facility manager in any case where you are unsure if an item is explosive or not.
- Radioactive materials and equipment You may not be aware of it, but radioactive materials can be found in some medical supplies. While most medical equipment can be stored, items containing radioactive materials cannot.
- Perishable animal products or food items Properly sealed canned food items may be kept in storage units; however, you cannot store perishable food items (i.e. cereal, flour, dairy products or meat), cat litter or pet food as they may quickly spoil and may create an odor that attracts bugs and rodents.
- Some construction equipment Many construction companies place equipment into storage units when they have an abundance, however, there are some exceptions to what may be kept in a self storage unit. For example, it is a violation of the law to place any equipment used for underground drilling or tracking of water into a storage unit. If you wish to store construction equipment check with the facility manager for a list of items that may not be stored, the list may vary and is subject to change.
- Unregistered or nonoperational vehicles In order to keep a vehicle in storage it must be operational as well as being correctly registered with current license and insurance. You hold sole liability for any stored vehicle including any damage that could be caused by the vehicle, this makes insurance a necessity. There may be a limit on the number of tires that can be stored in a single unit, helping to keep the cost of disposing of tires down should you default on your contract and be unable to claim your items.
- Humans, animals, and plants While it may seem obvious, people, plants, and animals, whether dead or alive, are prohibited from being placed in storage. Even if your storage unit is climate-controlled, for your safety and the security of other patrons, storage units cannot be used as a place to live, even if it is temporary.
Home Appliance Storage Tips
Storing your unused home appliances is an easy, affordable solution; here are some tips for making sure your appliances stay in great condition while stored.
Clean
When storing a clothes washer or dishwasher it is best to run a complete cleaning cycle while the unit is empty, adding a cup of bleach or vinegar instead of soap or detergent. After the cycle is complete, clean and dry the interior of the machine completely.
Cleaning the interior is especially important in refrigerators, dishwashers and ovens since food and sugar may draw bugs. Make sure to clean and dry the defrost pan in refrigerators (check underneath or behind the refrigerator). o Make sure to pay special attention to cleaning any rubber seals around appliance doors since mildew collects easily in this area. o Clean the exterior well, including any vents or intake areas. o When appliance is clean, spray it will an insect deterrent to prevent infestation.
Drain
Make sure to empty all water from tanks, hoses/tubing and any other components to help from damaging the appliance during freezing temperatures.
Protect
If the appliance has fragile pieces including glass shelves, be sure to remove them and transfer them separately to prevent damage. Be sure to mark any fragile parts as such so when you take them out of storage they will remain protected. Use blankets or bubble wrap to prevent scratching the finish or denting the outside of the appliance. Remember: refrigerators should always be transported in an upright position.
Secure
Use a sturdy tape that will not leave residue (try painter’s tape) to hold appliance doors closed while moving. When you have the unit when you want it be sure to remove the tape the prop the door open to keep from mildewing.
Store
If storing in a region that encounters high & low temperatures, temperature swings, or high humidity areas, you may want to choose a climate controlled storage unit. This will help maintain the mechanical or electronic parts of appliances; it will also help prevent rust/fissures. o If you are storing your appliances with smaller household items it is a good idea to load your appliances on the truck last and place them in your storage unit first. This will allow you to easily place the bulky appliances at the back of the storage unit for easier access to your smaller household items at the front. o Try to avoid placing heavy, bulky items inside your appliances while they are stored as this may cause damage. o Make sure to find a way to prop the appliance door open to keep from mildewing. You may also want to place an open box of baking soda inside the appliance to help prevent odors. o Drape appliances with a breathable material like a sheet to help keep it dust free while in storage.
Get the Most Out of Your Yard Sale with Self Storage
Ready to clean and declutter? Get the most out of your yard sale, with the help of storage!
A self storage unit is the perfect solution while trying to organize for a yard sale. An empty unit is a great place to sort through, organize and price all of your items. The storage unit will also allow you concentrate on preparing for the sale without distractions. As a bonus, if you have your sale with friends or family, you can split the cost of the storage unit which will greatly reduce the cost per person.
While you are dropping things off at your storage unit keep them sorted by categories. To help with this think of how you may see items arranged in a department store, for example: clothes, toys, kitchen, appliances, sports equipment, etc. Doing so will help to save you time as your sale draws near. As your yard sale approaches, prepare the area you will have your sale by setting up racks and tables before you bring your item over from storage. By having an idea of where you are going to put things, you will only need to unload your items and everything will be pre-sorted and priced. If you plan to have a sale quarterly, bi-yearly or annually, you can bring items to your storage unit throughout the year and keep things clean and well-organized, so that setting up for your sale will be easy.
A few last sale tips include being sure that you have enough cash on hand, pay careful attention that you have enough small bills and coins to make change. Have a comfortable chair to sit in and well as water and food to last you the length of your sale. You may also want to have boxes and bags available for customers to take away their new goodies. Lastly, if you expect the sale to be large, you may want to enlist help so you can watch your merchandise and deal with multiple customers at once.
Packing Holiday Decorations
Before you throw away the tissue paper and empty boxes from the holiday season, try recycling them to store your holiday decorations.
Here are some tips for storing:
Ornaments
- Put used wrapping and tissue paper through a paper shredder to use as filler
- Use egg cartons to separate and protect small ornaments
- Use a partitioned cardboard wine box to store tissue-wrapped ornaments, stacking on top of one another
- Keep any especially fragile ornaments towards the top of a box
- Keep any food-based decorations (i.e. cinnamon and applesauce ornaments) in separate sandwich bags and place in tin container to keep pests away.
- Place silver ornaments in tarnish-proof bags to keep them looking new
- Place hooks and hangers in a small container with multiple dividers (i.e. tackle box tray, school supply box)
Garland
You can store a large amount of garland in a plastic box, pressing it down as you add more o Alternatively, use the garland as a filler to cushion spaces between your decorations Lights o Wrap lights around empty wrapping paper tubes and tape the ends to the tube to keep them from tangling o Keep replacement bulbs and fuses in a plastic sandwich bag and tuck it inside the tube.
Tips for Boxes and Packing Supplies
Taking extra precautions to protect your belongings when preparing to store them will help prevent them from shifting or breaking while moving. It will also help protect items from the elements of the weather while keeping them dust-free while in storage.
Begin by making a list of items you plan on storing, you can use it as an outline to determine the type and quantity of packing supplies you will need. It will also help you to determine the appropriate size of the storage unit you will need. You should use good quality packing materials to ensure long-term protection, even if you plan to only have your items in storage for a short duration.
Keep in mind, newspaper can scratch delicate items and smudge ink so while it seems like a simple solution, it often just causes more problems. The same is true of plastic trash bags as they retain moisture and can damage items kept inside them.
Here is an idea of some things you may need:
- Specially Made Boxes for Dishes and China, Mattresses, Lamps, Utilities (i.e. mops, brooms, cleaning supplies), Wardrobe Mirrors, Televisions, Poster tubes
- Various Sized Boxes for Everyday Items
- Reinforced Boxes/Totes for Fragile Items
- File Boxes for Documents
- Bubble Wrap & Shrink Wrap
- White Tissue Paper
- Styrofoam Peanuts
- Foam Egg Crates
- Sofa and Chair Covers
- Packaging Tape
- Scissors & Box Knife
- Labels & Markers
- Dolly for Heavy Appliances
Questions?
Have any more questions about storing with us? Feel free to contact us, and we'll be happy to assist you!
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