Here are a few tips to help you pack your storage space:

It’s a great idea to seal boxes and cover items to protect them from dust. Storage blankets are ideal for protecting wood furniture against scratches. With changing temperatures, any concrete floor can become slightly moist. If extra protection is needed, consider placing cardboard boxes, wood furniture and upholstery on pallets or wooden boards. Ask us about availability of free pallets. If you need access to your items during storage, allow room for a walkway. Added shelving helps to protect and organize your property. The contents of your storage room is under your care. In addition to always locking your unit, double-check that your insurance covers your stored property. Place frequently used items near the door and more valuables items in the rear of the unit.

Appliances: Refrigerators and/or freezers should be dry and stored with doors slightly ajar. Make sure that stoves and cooking equipment are cleaned before they are stored.

Books and documents: Pack books flat to protect their spines. Do not place boxes directly on concrete floors, but use pallets to prevent moisture absorption.

Bicycles and metal tools: To prevent rust due to humidity, wipe metal surfaces with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil or WD-40. Rakes and shovels should be clean and lightly oiled.

Furniture: Place a pallet, or plastic sheet on the floor. Stand sofas and mattresses on end (except for sofa-sleepers). If you need to save space, disassemble beds and tables and wrap table legs in protective paper. Keep upholstery off the floor. Finally, place a light cotton dust cover or bed sheet on your furniture.

Bedding, clothing, curtains, drapes and linens: Clothing, curtains and drapes should be stored on hangers. Food crumbs or stains should be removed before storing. Avoid storing anything that may attract pests. Place mattresses on their sides to prevent them from bending out of shape.

Dishes and glassware: Place a layer of newspaper at the bottom and top of boxes containing glassware. Wrap glass items individually. Avoid placing heavy items on boxes containing glassware.

Lamps: Wrap large lamps and place them in boxes. Pack delicate lamp shades separately. Do not use newsprint to wrap items that may be damaged by ink stains.

Mirrors, windows and screens: Store these items on edge, not flat.

There are many great reasons to store with us:

Buildings. All of our buildings are steel or stud framed with steel roll up doors.  They are built to protect your property against the heat of the summer sun. Our Steel roofs and raised concrete floors keep rain and surface water away.

Lights. Drive throughout facilities at night. You’ll see that our bright lights are designed with security in mind.

Locks. The self storage industry recommends the use of padlocks or cylinder locks.  Padlocks are available for purchase.

Security.  Both locations are under 24 hour video surveillance keeping your items safe.

Clean. Our customers comment on the cleanliness of our facilities. So do professional movers. These are the guys that have unloaded trucks at all the self storage businesses around. Our facilities are clean.

Customer service. This is our day job. We’re full-time professionals – we run a tight ship. We’re reliable, prompt and have the knowledge to make your storage experience uncomplicated and stress-free. By the way, we work evenings and weekends, too!

Short Vacancy Notice. A short 30 day vacancy notice is all we require when moving out.

Do:

• Use pallets, 2 x 4’s, plywood, any thing that will keep your items off the floor of the unit.
• Utilize all the space in your unit.  Make a plan as to how you are going to arrange your items.  A good plan will save you the time of having to rearrange your unit. Leave an aisle in the center of your unit so that you have a walk way to the back of the unit.
• Use freestanding shelves to help organize your unit.
• Label the boxes on all six sides and keep a list for easy reference.  This will save you time if you have to look for something in particular.  When packing boxes fill them without making them too heavy to lift.  Always put the heavier boxes on the bottom and the lighter ones on top of the heavier ones.  This will prevent boxes from being crushed. Keep boxes off the floor.
• Be sure to store frequently used items at the front of the unit to avoid having to search for them.
• To protect your items cover them with moving pads, sheets, or light blankets.
• Be sure to check your unit once a month.
• Disassemble items such as tables, bed frames, etc.  This will save space.  Wrap and label all pieces for an easier time when you have to reassemble them.  Put all hardware in bags and mark the bags accordingly.
• When you disassemble electronics, such as computers, stereos, things that have numerous cords, place small colored stickers on the cord and the same color sticker where the cord goes.  This will save you the hassle of trying to figure out what goes where when it comes time to reassemble your electronics.  If possible, use the original boxes to store your electronics and other items.
• Make sure that all appliances are clean and dry before storing them.  Leave appliances slightly ajar to prevent mildew.
• If it is possible store couches on end. Stack chairs seat to seat.  Use the inside of appliances and drawers to store smaller items.  When stacking furniture use paper pads in between the items to avoid scratching.
• Store mattresses and box springs on long edges.  Wrap for protection and elevate off the floor. Use two to three 2 x 4’s cut to 1 foot long.
• Store mirrors and paintings on end, not flat.  Pack books flat to protect their spines.
• To prevent rusting rub a small amount of machine oil on metal tools, bicycles, and equipment.  Drain and clean all debris from all equipment before you store them.
• When wrapping collectibles or anything breakable, tape it after you wrap it.  This should avoid mistaking them for excess paper to fill the box.  Use bubble wrap or unprinted paper to wrap breakables.  Group similar items together and mark the boxes accordingly.
• Clothing and draperies should be stored in wardrobe boxes, on hangers, to retain their original shapes.
• Purchase the insurance. If your belongings are worth storing, they are worth insuring.
• Rubbermaid containers are great to store your items.  They have tight fitting lids and stack easily.  Keep the more valuable items in the rear of the unit.  This will prevent others from seeing them when you are in your unit.
• Keep out of season clothes accessible, you may have your belongings in storage longer than anticipated.
• Be aware of your surroundings when you are in your unit.  If you see a potential problem or anything suspicious alert the manager.

Don’t:

• Do not use plastic to cover your belongings.  It retains moisture.
• Do not store any food items.  This will prevent any unwanted guests.
• Do not pack your boxes so that they are too heavy to carry them.  Especially when you are packing books.
• Do not assume that your homeowners or renters insurance will cover your belongings while in storage.  Purchase the insurance.
• Do not give out your password, gate code or any information to any one that is not listed as having access.
• Do not use printed newspaper for wrapping.  The ink may smudge and get on your items.
• Do not forget to clean appliances before you store them.
• Do not store any toxins or flammables such as paint, oil, or gasoline.