Author: cvaneven

Because new appliances are usually expensive, many people prefer to hold on to old ones for vacation homes, or back-ups. A self storage unitl can be a convenient, affordable solution. However, if you don’t properly prepare your appliances for remote storage, you may return to find useless, moldy items. Here is some useful advice for securely storing washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, ovens etc..

Checklist: Moving and Storing Your Appliances

1. Run a final cycle. Consider running an empty clothes washer and dishwasher through a wash cycle using either a cup of white vinegar prior to placing in self storage.
2. Drain liquid. Empty any water from hoses, tanks, plastic tubing and other internal components. This will help prevent freezing and mold.
3. Clean the interior. Scrub and dry the interior completely — especially in refrigerators, dishwashers and ovens. Food and sugar remnants can attract insects, even in interior storage units. In refrigerators, clean and dry the defrost pan — you’ll find it underneath or behind the refrigerator. In water-using appliances, wipe the rubber cushion seal around the perimeter of the door. Mildew may collect in this area.
4. Remove glass and protect finish. If your appliance has glass shelves or fragile parts, remove them and transport them separately. Appliances with finishes that can scratch or dent should be wrapped in blankets or bubble wrap. Refrigerators should be transported in an upright position.
5. Place in the unit first. By placing appliances in the back of your storage unit, you’ll have easier access to smaller items that you access more frequently.
6. Prop open the door. Find a way to keep the appliance’s door ajar for the duration of the storage rental. This will help deter mildew.
7. Avoid unwanted odors. Place an open box of baking soda inside of stored appliances.
8. Cover and protect. Use a breathable material such as a tarp or sheet to shield your appliance from dirt or dust.

 

 

 

 

While you are concerned about protecting what we put in the unit, protecting the unit itself is also important. There can be charges for scarring the unit during your tenancy. If you rent one to use for a vehicle for example, place poly and a drip pan under the engine and rear differential to prevent any damage to the floor.

There are a few things that don’t like the cold or the heat and should either be double wrapped, well insulated or not stored at all. Electronics, vinyl records, old photos (if humid), and things of that nature may come out a little less perfect when not stored properly.

Keeping your items off the floor is almost essential. Before renting your unit, there’s no way to promise that the melting snow won’t come under the door, or the adjacent unit won’t have a spill that soaks its way into your heirloom sofa. Under certain humidity conditions the concrete floors in a storage unit can sweat. Pallets provide an air space under your belongings to help protect them, and we provide the pallets:) We recommend using pallets to get any furniture, mattresses or cardboard off of the floor.

Do label your boxes. If you’re using self storage, chances are you don’t intend to be needing the items you’re packing up for at least a couple of months. And even if you believe you’ll be able to remember that the boxes packed in the left-hand corner contain your extra shoes, you’d be surprised how easy it is to forget what’s what once everything is out of sight. Labeling your boxes makes the unpacking process much simpler.

Do pack with a purpose. Some of the most crucial self storage tips you’ll want to follow are those around how to pack your things. You never know if or when you’ll need to access your unit during the storage period, so organize everything in a cohesive way. Store items you’re more likely to need toward the front of the unit, and things you know you’ll be able to live without for a while in the very back. Think vertically. Take advantage of the unit’s height (most are at least nine feet tall) and stack your items, keeping the heavier things closer to the ground. If you can, leave a pathway from the front of the unit to the back so that no item is completely out of easy reach.

Don’t store anything super valuable. As a general rule, if you can’t afford to lose it, you probably shouldn’t be putting it in your self storage unit. A majority of the time your belongings will be just fine and there’s nothing to worry about, but self storage always come with a small risk that items will get damaged or lost. To be prudent, find an alternative way to house art, jewelry, family heirlooms, and other valuable items that you don’t want to take chances with.

Don’t leave items unprotected. Prevent items from getting damaged by taking the time to properly wrap and store them. Cover furniture with blankets or moving pads (not plastic, which can trap moisture, resulting in mildew and mold). Fragile items should be carefully wrapped in paper, and stored in a stable location.

Do purchase insurance. Check to see if your renters or homeowners insurance covers personal property in storage. If it doesn’t, you can a separate storage insurance plan through Stor It. It’s good peace of mind to have extra protection just in case.

Don’t store anything perishable. Do not pack anything in your unit that could spoil. In addition to odors, rotting food could attract bugs and rodents.

Ask for help. Moving things into storage can be difficult to tackle all on your own. Ask a friend or family member for help, especially if you’re going to be loading heavy or bulky items. Having an extra set of hands will help the process go easier, and may reduce the risk of injury.

Do make sure to choose a reliable storage company. When you store items, you’re placing trust in a third party to take care of your belongings. It’s important that you choose a company with a proven track record of reliability. Read reviews and past customer experiences before booking a unit, and don’t choose to store your items with a sketchy seeming company just because their rates are cheaper than the competition.

Don’t start searching at the last minute. The storage unit you ultimately choose should be based on a few key factors, including the size, price, and convenience level that makes the most sense for your situation. To make sure you’re making a wise decision, start your search early. If you wait too long, you may find that what you’re looking for isn’t available, or you may just not have enough time to do your homework. It’s better to start a little early and have a plan in place than start late and have to make a rushed decision.

If you or one of your family members is moving into a college dorm this upcoming fall, you’ll soon experience the difficulty of trying to fit all of your belongings into a 12×19’ space, which gets smaller still if you have a roommate. Thankfully there are clever solutions to help make the most out of your dorm experience.

• Pare down: Before you move in, going through all of your things and getting rid of or donating anything that isn’t necessary will make living in the dorms easier. A good rule of thumb is that if you haven’t used/worn something in over a year, chances are you could part with it and survive just fine.
• Use bed risers: If your dorm does not provide materials to bunk the beds, consider purchasing bed risers to lift your bed off of the ground and allow for storage underneath. Those few extra inches make all of the difference, and will let you store more than you could have otherwise.
• Tension rods: Tension rods are inexpensive and can be used to cover closets that don’t have doors, or to create storage areas in small, awkward spaces. They can be used to hang clothes, belts, or even high-heeled shoes.
• Use wall space: Hanging wall racks or over-the-door organizers take advantage of space that would otherwise be left unused. They create quick spots to store items that you use regularly.
• Store extra items: No matter how much space saving you do, there may be items that simply do not fit in your dorm room. In this situation, consider renting a small self-storage unit nearby to house your things until you move out of the dorms. This can be used to store seasonal items or larger pieces of furniture that you will use when you move into a house or apartment, but do not need while in the dorms.  

 

Without a buffer between the outdoors and your home, coming inside can get messy, especially in the winter. Snow, rain, and mud can get tracked through the rest of your home if they aren’t contained in the mudroom. There are a few ways to ensure that your mudroom is successful at creating this barrier and keeping your house clean.

• Storage for boots and shoes: Boot trays and mats reduce dirt where shoes are taken off, and allow water to pool and evaporate there instead of being spread around your house. Built-in shoe racks and hanging bins are great space savers in closets, and make sure that your family can always find the pair of shoes they need.
• Cubbies: Box-like cubbies built into the wall or benches provide additional storage for hats, mittens, scarves, and other winter gear. Cubbies can be bought, made, or fashioned out of repurposed cabinetry originally used elsewhere.
• Using the whole wall: Shelves and cubbies allow you to get the most use out of your wall space by storing vertically. Items for kids can be kept at lower heights, and adult items at higher heights.
• Doubling up: Since space can be limited in your mudroom, try to fit as much functionality as possible into its features. For example, a bench could double as a storage container for winter gear by having a seat that opens to reveal cubbies beneath.

Most small business owners don’t have the square footage to store extra inventory, equipment, or supplies in their workspace. For many industries, self storage units are a convenient solution. Here are a few examples of industry-specific benefits of self storage:

1. Landscaping: Storage units allow you to take only the specific equipment with you that you need for each job, as opposed to bringing everything with you everywhere. Storing equipment in a self storage unit keeps the equipment accessible and allows for quick loading and unloading.
2. Roofing: Roofers have lots of supplies that need to be kept organized. From power tools and shingles to tiles and adhesive, to everything in between, these items can be stored in a self storage unit and are easy to access for the short or long term.
3. Construction: Many construction contractors do not have an office at all, and a self storage unit is a cost-effective way to store your equipment and supplies. Lumber, sheetrock and other items are easily accessible and secure.
4. Retail: Whether if you’re a brick and mortar or an online-only retailer, extra space is necessary. Extra inventory, displays, and additional necessary supplies are costly and take up a lot of space. These items need to be safely stored to prevent damage and lost sales.

If you are a small business owner in the Appleton or Neenah area, let Stor It Mini Storage help you organize! Call (920) 734-1265 or visit https://appletonneenahministorage.com/ for more information.

 

In a small apartment, storage and organization can be challenging. Rather than accepting that you need more space to be organized, try the following tips to make the most of the space you have:

1. Choose a bed with built-in storage, either open shelves or spaces hidden by doors.
2. Put your bed on risers and use decorative containers to store items underneath.
3. Boxes or other containers can be stacked and used as a nightstand while storing items out of sight.
4. High shelves utilize the space above your head and can free up floor space.
5. Choose furniture that moves easily or has more than one use. For example, a fold out bed or table.
6. Use common items in uncommon ways. Think how you could use old baskets or other items for storage. Pegboards can make great coat hooks and tension rods can create hanging racks anywhere.
7. For items like pants and tank tops, store them compactly by adding a second hanging clothing rack in the bottom half of your closet.
8. Hang belts, bags, coats, or ties on the walls of your closet to utilize that empty space.

For items that simply won’t fit in your apartment, consider renting a storage unit nearby to hold them. If you live in the Appleton or Neenah areas, give Stor It a call today at (920) 734-1265 to discuss which self storage unit would be a good fit for you.