Monthly Archives: June 2016

Self-Storage and Furniture

7,031 Replies

Self-Storage and Furniture

Whether you’re moving or downsizing, you may find yourself left with extra furniture that you do not want to part with. Your local self storage facility may be the answer.  Here are some tips to help you store that extra furniture.

1 –  Ask your  self-storage manager if they can provide pallets to put down on the floor of the storage unit.  You may even want to cover those pallets with plastic sheeting to create a moisture barrier.

2 – Cover furniture with sheets or canvas tarps ( not plastic)  to allow for airflow.

3 – If you recently used furniture polish or oils  on any items, allow them to dry thoroughly before storing  to avoid mold or mildew.

4 – Avoid completely sealing any items in plastic – trapped moisture can cause mold and mildew. you may want to consider  placing moisture reduction products, such as Damp Rid in the corners of your unit.

5 – Disassemble Furniture items when possible to save space.  Place chairs upside down on a sturdy surface –  Place table tops face down on a soft blanket.

absecon self-storage

6 – Stand couches and mattresses on end to maximize storage space. Stack lightweight boxes on dresser tops, and place small items inside dresser drawers. Bags specifically designed to cover bedding and couches can usually be purchased at your self storage facility’s office.  Many  self storage facilities also sell packaging specifically designed for glasses, dishes,  mirrors, lamps, and even flat screen TVs.

Hopefully these tips will help you with your furniture Self Storage needs, but don’t be afraid to stop into the office of your local self storage facility with questions.  I’m sure that they will be happy to help you out!

 

Why do we keep stuff?

12,437 Replies

Why do we keep stuff?

Americans love to keep stuff. As the manager at a local self storage facility, this is something that I can attest to firsthand. We love  to keep things that we will probably never need, or use again – but why?  A recent survey asked just that , and surprisingly, 94% of the people asked had an answer.
Here are the 5 top reasons that people say that they keep too much stuff…..

“I might need it sometime”

I have a friend that has a storage unit that includes a box of size 30 jeans. He is currently a 36 inch waist. He is in his 50’s, and does not exercise.  He will never need those jeans again.

“Sentimental Value”

This one I get to some extent – Photos, awards, etc., kept in storage – but Grandma’s old tattered armchair is just going to sit there – I guess sometimes we feel that we are discarding part of our family history.  A photo of grandma  sitting in that armchair, might be the better thing to keep.

“I’m going to sell it “

A friend of mine has a pile of stuff stored in one corner of his garage, that he has kept for years, with the intention of selling. These items include a punch bowl set,  a VHS tape rewinder, and a rooftop TV antenna .The best salesman in the world could not sell these items – ‘nuff said.

Pleasantville Self Storage Facility

“Feeling guilty”

This is a tough one. Some people just feel guilty discarding anything that is not complete and utter trash, even though they know that they will never ever use it. This is one of the biggest reasons that people become hoarders.

“I can use it as a gift “

This is a great one!  These are new or unopened items that you have no desire to keep for yourself, but somehow think that a friend, or family member would be thrilled to receive as a gift. All I can say is that if you have a family member or friend, who receives a punch bowl set, or a VHS tape rewinder, as an anniversary gift , you will know what happened.

When One Garage isn’t Enough

6,079 Replies

When One Garage isn’t Enough: Extra Storage Space

I have a neighbor named Joe. Joe is a nice guy, who has a nice family, and a nice house with a one car garage. The problem is that Joe has a car, his wife has a car, his teenage daughter has a car, and he has his toys – a motorcycle and a WaveRunner. His usual spring ritual is to open his garage, and reorganize the clutter that has accumulated over the winter,  just enough to fit his wife’s car in the garage. He then goes to the side of his house, where his toys have been in a makeshift outdoor storage space all winter, and begins the process of removing the tarps, bungee cords and canvas covers. You might say to yourself, why doesn’t Joe just build a storage shed?  Surprise! – Joe has a storage shed, but it’s filled with tools, yard equipment and bicycles – like I said, Joe has a problem … but this year I noticed something different.

 

Yes, Joe still cleaned out his garage enough for his wife’s car, and he still has both his and his daughter’s cars in the driveway, but his motorcycle and Waverunner seemed to have disappeared.  So, being the nosy neighbor that I am, I walked over and inquired, you know, just to make sure that nobody stole his toys. What he told me made a lot of sense.  What Joe realized, as he uncovered his toys, was that he was beginning to see signs of the weather affecting, and possibly damaging his motorcycle and WaveRunner. “ I realized that I was storing $20,000 worth of vehicles, and protecting them with $100 worth of plastic and canvas. At this rate they weren’t going to last another 10 years”. Joe’s solution?….

motorcycle

Joe lives about 2 miles from a very nice, family-owned self-storage facility.  There he was able to rent an indoor storage space just large enough for both his motorcycle, and WaveRunner, at  a very reasonable price. His $20,000  toys are now protected from the weather, and kept in a secure, convenient location. Gone is the unsightly bundle of canvas attached to the side of his house. Now when Joe wants to go for a ride through the country, or spend the day jumping waves on the bay, he just heads down to his storage space, hitches up the trailer, or hops on the bike,  and heads out . Just keep your phone off Joe – your wife might want her bike out of the shed!

Time to get the Jet Ski ready for Summer Fun!

8,054 Replies

Time to get the Jet Ski ready for Summer Fun!

So, Summer is almost here, and it’s time to roll the jet skis and Waverunners out of your storage space, and get them ready for the water! Whether you’re headed to the ocean, the bay, or your local lake, you’ll want to be sure that your ride is ready. Here are some things to check before you head out for your wet and wild fun.

Storage Space in Egg Harbor Township

Check the Battery

You probably disconnected the battery prior to putting your PWC into your  Self Storage Space over the winter. It’s time to make sure that it’s fully charged before you head out on the water.

Fresh Gas

After sitting through a long Winter with a full tank and gas stabilizer, it’s time to empty out the gas tank, check for clogs, and refill with fresh gas.

Lines, Wires and Belts

Varying temperatures over the winter can cause fuel and cooling lines to thin and crack, and belts to loosen. These items should be checked along with wiring connections to ensure a safe trip across the waves.

Spark Plugs and Carburetor

Clean carburetor and spark plugs not only ensure smooth operation, but also fuel efficiency.
And last, but not least…

Make it Shine!

Make no mistake about it, a Waverunner is to a personal watercraft enthusiast, what a Harley is to a biker. A good cleaning and wax job, not only makes your ride look great, but also affords  you the opportunity to make a thorough inspection.

So go ahead and pull your jet ski out of the storage space unit, use this checklist to give it a good once-over, and head out for some fun on the water.  Don’t forget to obey all the water safety laws, and have a great summer!