Category Archives: storage tips

traditional or valet storage

Traditional Storage or Valet Storage? Which is Best Option for You?

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There are many options when it comes to storage, but how do you know which is for you? Not only is choosing the right location now important, but choosing the right type for your needs is now a decision that you have to make.  Valet storage is becoming more popular in urban markets. Valet storage may be seem convenient for pick up and delivery, but if you need access to your items, it may not be the right choice for you.   Below we dive into the pros and cons of traditional storage versus valet storage.  Use the infographic to help decide which option is best for you.  If traditional storage is the right option for you, we’re here for you! Rent your unit today!

Traditional storage or valet storage? What is best option for you?

traditional or valet storage

Downsizing-Storage-Tips

Downsizing Storage Tips

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With our downsizing storage tips, you can become a downsizing pro. Whether you are moving or just reorganizing, downsizing can be tough. Sometimes letting go of items is not the easiest, but if your belonging is damaged or irreparable, it may be time to recycle or trash it.  If you have not used an item in the last year, it may be time to donate it. Storing your items that are sentimental, valuable, or seasonal is also an option. Stop by the office today—we are here for your storing needs!

Just a few of the tips listed below include storing frequently used items in the front of your unit, packing items closer together to keep moisture out, and using uniform size boxes for easy stacking. Read on for even more helpful tips!

Downsizing-Storage-Tips

college storage

How to Prepare for College Storage

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college storage

 

Do you have a place to store all of your dorm items? We have college storage options! Renting a storage unit near school not only makes getting ready for next year easy, but it also helps keep your belongings secure and in great condition! Storing all of your dorm items, such as linens, a mattress, and various dorm furniture, becomes a breeze. All of your items are then ready when you start next semester! Check out the tips below to prepare for college storage over the summer:

 

  • Wrap fragile items with bubble wrap and packing material. This will help keep them safe and secure until you need them.
  • Ask about student discounts on moving and packing supplies. Just bring your student ID with you and ask the property manager!
  • Make sure you have plenty of storage supplies: bubble wrap, boxes, bags, totes, etc.
  • When storing bedding or clothing, garbage bags make better use of space than a box. They can fit in tight spaces and keep items protected.
  • Always use a cover for your mattress and box spring. This will prevent any dirt from reaching it and keep it in great shape.

 

college storage

 

When you are looking for a place to store your dorm items, keep us in mind for college storage! We can help make your transition to and from college easier.

storage preparedness

Preparing if Disaster Strikes

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preparing if disaster strikes

 

If an unexpected disaster occurs are you prepared? Natural disasters can occur in various forms and at any time. While you cannot predict everything, there are measures that can minimize the damage that incurs. We have five tips to help prepare you and your storage unit in case of disaster.

Have a protection plan for your storage unit

  • Our facility offers a protection plan that is designed to cover financial losses of items damaged in natural disasters. Plans can be purchased at our office and can be added into your monthly rent.  Do not assume the property’s insurance covers your goods, you are responsible for the protection of your stored goods. For information on protection for your stored goods, please see store manager.

Have an evacuation plan

  • Be sure to know routes on how to get to a safe spot during a disaster.  Have a planned meeting stop for family and friends.

Line the floor of the unit                       

  • Place a dust cover or tarp on the floor of your unit before putting items into your unit.  This protects them from any incidental damage and creates a barrier between the concrete floor and your items.

Keep any important documents with you

  • Documents such as birth certificates, passports, identification cards or anything that needs to be easily accessible should be kept with you or in safe in your residence.

Have emergency light sources 

  • Keep a flashlight or lantern right at your residence, in your car and also inside your unit. If power goes out, make sure you have battery backups for any lighting sources as well.  If a visit to your unit during a disaster is necessary, you will want to be able to see in your unit.

storage preparedness

Being prepared minimizes the possible damage that can occur. If you need more tips or information for how to store in your unit, please stop by the office or see our other blogs.

(sources: ready.gov)

Storing Outdoor Gear

Tips for Storing Outdoor Gear

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Storing Outdoor Gear

Don’t let your outdoor gear take up your precious space at home, save the space and keep it safe in a storage unit.

 

Not many people have an unlimited amount of space for storing outdoor gear and as we all know, once you get in the outdoor spirit it is hard to stop at just buying the basics. Before you know it, you have accumulated aisles 10-14 at the local sporting goods store. Have no fear, with the easy access of a storage unit close to home, you can have it all!

 

Have a yearly hunting trip that will require access to your gear in the wee hours of the morning? Remember to plan ahead and ask about access hours! Most facilities can offer you 24 hour access for a small fee. Ask about the possibility of 24 hour access if this does not already apply at your facility.

 

Kayak/Canoe

Be sure to check inside your kayak or canoe for small animals using it as shelter before storing them indoors.

 

Always cover your kayak or canoe even if it is stored inside to prevent bugs from getting inside and damaging any foam or rubber materials.

 

Low temperatures can potentially damage inflatable kayaks because of the material that they are made of.

 

If you can’t afford to buy a rack for your personal boat you should store it against a wall on its side.

 

Depending on how much gear you plan to store, your kayak or canoe would fit nicely in a 5×10 or 10×15 unit.

Storing Outdoor Gear

Camping Gear

Lay out all of your gear and organize it.

 

Take inventory of everything.

 

When storing outdoor gear, be sure to clean your items before storing-especially cooking gear to avoid any hungry critters.

 

Make sure tents, sleeping bags etc. are dry to avoid mold and mildew.

 

Label your boxes according to the contents.

 

When packing make sure you don’t over pack an item making it too heavy to lift.

 

Avoid storing propane tanks, lighter fluid and any other flammable materials in your unit.

 

Remove batteries from flashlights, GPS and headlamps to avoid any leakage or corrosion.  Store the batteries separately.

 

Follow these tips for storing outdoor gear and you will not only have more space in your home, but your gear will also be safe and secure!

 

Holiday-storage-tips-blog-graphic

Holiday Storage Tips

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Holiday-storage-tips-blog-graphic

As the holidays are quickly approaching, now is the time to start planning. Whether you buy your presents early or are a last minute shopper, finding a good hiding place for gifts can be a challenge. A storage unit is the perfect spot! Hiding your gifts in a storage unit ensures that they will be safe and no one will find them before the holiday! Rent one to wrap and store your gifts today! Here are a few holiday storage tips to help you get ready.

 

Know gate hours

Unless you have prior arrangements confirmed with the manager, know the gate hours of your facility. If your gifts are being stored, you need to retrieve them from your unit during the designated hours. This also gives you time to plan ahead and have everything prepared for that special holiday tradition, including your gifts!

 

Organize items

Be sure to store your items in a fashion that allows you to efficiently and quickly gather your gifts to take back to your house. Here are some tips on organizing your gifts and making sure they are ready for storage:

-Re-use old boxes or containers

-Color code boxes, storage bins, or wrapping paper

-Label boxes with a smudge-proof marker

-Store same type of gifts together

-Store gifts for the same person together

-When storing light strings, wrap them around paper tubes from wrapping paper to prevent tangling

 

Protect gifts / decorations

Make sure your gifts stay safe by following these tips when choosing your unit and storing your presents:

-Keep climate control in mind

-Keep unit size in mind

-If storing fragile items, use bubble wrap / tissue paper

-Use leftover wrapping paper to further protect ornaments / decorations (shred it)

 

We’re here to help you during the holiday! Stop by today and rent a storage unit to get ready!

boat storage tips

Boat Storage Tips

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Although we may not have storage for your boat, we can certainly provide you with boat storage tips!   It is important to properly care and store your boat to not only extend its lifetime, but also make your Spring easier! Need to know more? Stop by our facility to talk to our manager for storage tips!

boat storage tips

­­­­Boat:

-Prevent flat spots on tires and hull damage by storing the vehicle on jack stands

-Wipe down boat to remove salt water

-Leave interior doors and lockers open to circulate air

-Open all drains to prevent damage from freezing                            ­

-Remove electronics, food items, and fabrics

-Change your oil filter and oil

-Boats left for extended periods should be stored with a full tank of gas and an appropriate fuel stabilizer

-Plug pipes / openings with bronze wool (prevents rodents)

-Refresh the coolant system

-Spray with fogging oil

-Loosen or remove drive belts

-Disconnect battery

-Attach a proper winter cover

Tips for Storing Your RV

Own a RV? Not sure how to properly store it for the winter? We comprised tips  to make sure you correctly prepare your vehicle for storage.  Whether you’ll be storing it in an indoor facility or in a parking lot, you’ll want to follow these tips for storing your RV to make the Spring transition easier.

Trumbull-self-storage-RV-blog

-Tires should be inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended maximum psi during storage to avoid flat spots

-Prevent flat spots on tires by storing the vehicle on jack stands

-Refrigerator doors and cabinets should be left open during storage to prevent mold and odors

-Vehicles left for extended periods should be stored with a full tank of gas and an appropriate fuel stabilizer

-Wheels should be chocked and the parking brake should be off

-Check all seals and seams

-Plug pipes & openings with bronze wool to prevent rodents

-Close blinds and shades to avoid sun damage

-Empty water tanks and use antifreeze

-Disconnect battery

-Keep uncovered vents closed to avoid bugs

 

Although our facility does not offer RV storage, we can still help in making sure you are storing properly!

 

Swapping-out-Seasons

Swap Out Your Seasons

Moving Tips, storage tips, , , , , ,

Swapping-out-SeasonsSwap Out Your Seasons

Last month we told you how to store your winter clothing so that nothing gets damaged. Check out that blog here. This month, we are getting ready to start packing up the summer gear and putting it into storage while taking out the fall/winter items. It can be a stressful time for a first time self-storage renter. We have put together some helpful instructions to make your storage experience a breeze and save you countless trips to and from your storage unit.

There is a lot involved in planning your trip to your storage unit.

  1. Sort your belongings that you are taking to your unit and place alike items into piles. Properly pack each pile. Use moving blankets, totes, and sturdy cardboard boxes to keep your belongings from getting damaged. If you need packing supplies, we have an assortment in the office that you can purchase.
  2. Keep a list of the items you are storing so you know what you have in your storage unit each time you swap items out every season.
  3. Plan in advance what is coming back with you before you go to drop off your items so you don’t have to take multiple trips to and from your unit.
  4. Travel to your unit with the items that you are dropping off and enough boxes, blankets, and totes to bring home the items you were storing.
  5. When you arrive at your storage unit, remove each item that you plan to take home with you from your unit. Clean up and clear out the space to start unloading your vehicle. Pack up your items that were stored and pack them carefully into your vehicle and enjoy them for the start of the new season!
clothes

5 Quick Tips For Storing Your Clothing

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Are you hesitant about storing clothing? It doesn’t have to be scary! Cleaning out your closet, whether for season changes or moving, doesn’t mean you to have get rid of your clothing. Storage can be an extension of your closet. Here are some tips for protecting your clothing in storage.

5 Quick Tips for Storing Clothing:

  1. Wash or dry clean all clothing and jackets before storing. Dirt, oils, perfumes or stains on unclean clothing will attract many insects, especially in high temperatures.
  2. Store clothes in an airtight container or bin. Throw in some cedar wood blocks or lavender to keep moths and insects away from snacking on your clothes.
  3.  Purchase any form of Damp-rid and place it in your storage unit. Damp-rid will keep humidity away from your belongings.
  4. Use appropriate hangers for heavier items like coats and ski pants. It’s important to have some solid hangers for your winter gear so that they won’t get damaged.
  5. Stuff newspaper in your boots to help them hold its shape. Do not store them all into one plastic bag. The soles and heels of boots can damage the other boots in there.