Category Archives: Get Organized

Spring Cleaning Tips For Your Storage Spaces!

Storage Sheds and a Good Spring Cleaning

Spring has sprung and the grass is growin’. Time for spring cleanin’ and a little yard mowin’!

That’s right folks, the spring weather has certainly arrived and everyone and everything is gettin’ busy doin’ it’s thing, including the grass! Yep, it’s time to pull out the mower and get’er going. But, when many of us open the door to the storage garage sometimes it’s not quite so easy to do. The mower is in there somewhere, but it’s gonna take some time to find it! Instead of pushing this and that out of the way. Get organized. Take a little time to give the shed a good spring cleaning. Let’s face it, you have a lot of weeks ahead that you’ll be needing easy access to this storage space. So put some of that spring zing and pep in your step to good use; let’s give the storage shed a good spring cleaning.

Everything out!
If you’ve got a mess, pull it all out. Sort your items into piles of like items. Set aside any items that you no longer need and decide if they are trash or yard sale merchandise! Now if an item doesn’t belong in the storage shed, simply decide where it needs to be and put it back in it’s rightful home.

Self Storage Solutions

Clean Up Time
Time to sweep the floor and wipe down the shelves and work bench areas. You may also want to inspect the items that you’re storing to see if they need to be wiped off or hosed down before returning them to the shed. A clean and neat storage space will make your gardening and yard work life so much more enjoyable and easy to do!

Re-group and Replace
Now that everything’s out, and your space is clean, it’s time to reorganize and place your items back into the shed. Store the items that will be used most often toward the front of the storage space. Items that get used less frequently can be stored further back. Leave yourself a path to reach all of your warm weather items when needed. Hanging tools on walls or pegboard, as well as keeping smaller items in cans or plastic containers can also free up additional storage space. If you find yourself still in need of more storage space for items, such as your autumn fire pit or those Christmas decorations that you finally found, you may want to consider a small self-storage space. Your local self-storage facility will be happy to assist!

Now that you’ve put everything back into your clean storage space, you can stand back and admire your great work. Organized and ready, it’s time to enjoy all that fun lawn mowing, weed whacking, weed pulling, painting, gutter cleaning, hedge trimming, and the list goes on and on and on…. and oh well, hopefully you’ll get to use those sparkling bicycles and tidy beach chairs once or twice before winter returns!

Storage Units – What size do I need?

Self-Storage – Getting the right size for you!

So, your backyard shed is full, the attic is packed, and you can barely walk through the garage, let alone park a car in it – It’s time to rent some self storage space ! “The local storage facility down the road looks nice, but what size do I need?” you ask yourself. Luckily I can help. My name is Jerry, and I’m a manager at The Storage Inn Self Storage in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. Here are some tips to help you get the right size storage space.

Organize and Inventory

Don’t worry about storage unit sizes until you’re sure of what items you’re actually going to need to store. Take an inventory of everything that will be going into the storage unit, including the dimensions of any larger items to be stored. Measure the height, width, and depth as you may need to turn some items on end. Also note the number of boxes and totes that you need to store, including their dimensions. Using similar size boxes and totes will make this task much easier. Now that you have a pretty good idea of what you will actually be storing, it’s time to head on down to your local self storage facility, talk to the experts, and get the perfect storage space to suit your needs!

The Perfect Size Storage Unit

Okay, time to choose the right storage unit size for all your stuff. There are approximately six standard storage unit sizes in the storage industry. These are sizes that will be found it almost any self-storage facility. Here is a description of those basic sizes.

size-guide

At the Storage Inn of Egg Harbor Township New Jersey we offer over 45 different storage unit sizes, most of which have extra high ceilings, giving our customers 20% more storage space than the industry standard. These sizes include unique configurations such as long narrow spaces making them perfect for storing items like ladders or surfboards; and we also have smaller spaces with high ceilings great for items like couches and mattresses since they can be turned on end to maximize the cubic footage of the unit. We even have outdoor spaces for boat storage, car storage and RV storage! And if you’re looking for climate controlled units, yep, we have those too.

Let us Help

Although this may be a daunting task for you, the professionals at your local storage facility deal with these moving and packing issues on a daily basis. We would be happy to answer any questions you have about storing your belongings and we’ll certainly assist you in finding the right sized storage space.

And keep in mind that here at The Storage Inn moving and packing supply store, we sell everything for your storage needs including cardboard moving boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and mattress covers. And if you have a lot to move check out our affordable truck rental offer to help make your move a breeze!

Tips for storing your summertime beach gear!

How to Store your Summer!

Well, the Summer seemed to fly by here at The Storage Inn, located at the Jersey Shore, and now it’s Fall! The temperatures are dropping, and it’s time to start thinking about stowing your summer gear for the season. Let’s see… we have beach chairs in the trunks of two cars, a patio full of furniture, an assortment of bicycles, kayaks and canoes, and closets full of summer clothes. It may be time to consider getting some extra space at a self storage unit facility like our Ocean City self storage location or Egg Harbor Township self storage location! – Here are some tips to help you store your summer fun items!

Storing and Packing Beach Items

Shake off the loose sand, and make sure that your items are completely dry before storing them. It is also a good idea to place a moisture inhibitor such as Damp Rid in the storage unit to help avoid mold and mildew. Be sure to allow enough room for air to circulate around items such as beach chairs to prevent them from getting musty. Most importantly, DO NOT place anything into a storage unit that is still wet!

summer-gear

Storing and Packing Wheels and Paddles

Be sure to prep your bicycles, canoes and kayaks before placing them into storage. Oil any moving parts, and use the appropriate protectants on the metal, rubber, and plastic areas as needed prior to storing. You should also cover your stored items to protect your prep handywork!

Storing and Packing Patio Items

Make sure that all your patio furniture, grills, cushions,etc., are clean and dry prior to placing them into your self storage unit. Use patio furniture covers to protect your chairs and tables, and sealable plastic bags, or plastic wrap for your furniture cushions. Table cloths, placemats and accessories can be easily stored in an airtight plastic bin. Make sure that your grill is clean and dry, and that the fuel tank has been removed, prior to placing it into your self storage unit. Fuel tanks should always be stored in a secured outdoor area.

Storing and Packing Shorts, Tanks, & Tees

Be sure that all your clothing is clean and dry prior to storage. Use airtight plastic containers that are labeled on the side, so that you can read them when they’re stacked on top of one another. Placing silica packets inside of these containers will help to eliminate any moisture that might be trapped at the time of packing. Try placing a dryer sheet inside each of the containers to leave your clothing smelling clean and fresh when you retrieve them next spring.

Well, there you have it, the perfect plan for storing your Summer away from the self storage experts at The Storage Inn… at least until the temps begin to creep back up come Springtime!

To reserve the perfect unit to store your summer be sure to call or stop into your local self-storage facility, The Storage Inn! Our friendly staff is always available to answer any questions that you may have.

Tips for storing your summertime beach gear

Tailgating Storage Tips

So, September is here, along with a brand-spanking-new football season – and what fun would football be without tailgating? There’s nothing like meeting up with your friends, firing up the grill, and getting pumped up before kickoff – but this yearly ritual also comes with a fair amount of work attached. The last thing you want, is to be running around scrambling to find your tailgating gear on game day. Here are some tips to help you stay organized, and make your tailgating adventure a bit easier.

Keep it Clean

Whether you’re putting it away just until next week, or until next season or packing up for the season and placing your vacation stuff into a storage facility until next year, be sure to thoroughly clean all of your gear before you put it into storage – especially anything that might have food residue on it.The smallest amount of food residue can easily attract insects, and rodents. Consider pressure washing your grill at regular intervals throughout the football season, and especially at the end of the season, when you put it into your storage space.

Tailgating Storage Tips from The Storage Inn

Tote It

Typical tailgating gear can include everything from Team Flags, to plastic utensils, table cloths, cups, radios, and more! This is where plastic tote bins become your best friend. Not only will they hold just about everything that you need, but they’ll also stack nicely in your game day vehicle – just be sure to distribute the weight evenly so that they’re not too heavy to lift. This also makes for easy placement back into your garage or storage unit after the big game.

Be Safe

Do not store hazardous or flammable materials such as propane tanks, lighter fluid, or any other flammable materials in your garage or self storage unit. Propane tanks should be stored outdoors in an upright position. Other items such as lighter fluid or fire starters should be stored at home in a secure temperature controlled area. Also remember to remove batteries from radios, flashlights, etc., while in storage between seasons, to avoid leakage.

Make it Easy

Whether you’re a football-only Tailgater, or a year round Baseball, Soccer, NASCAR kind of crew, part of successful tailgating is having a system that makes it easy. You will want to be sure that your tailgating items can be easily accessed. If you find that you’re having a hard time doing this at home, you may want to consider a small self storage unit. The ease of driving up, throwing open the door, and loading your vehicle, could make the small monthly investment well worth it! Stop in to your local self-storage facility like The Storage Inn and check it out – We’d be more than happy to help you. Happy Tailgating!

Choosing Safe Self-Storage

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By Jerry Brown
2/16/16

So you are running out of space for your extra tools, and the wife would really love it if you got your motorcycle out of her gardening shed. You need a self-storage unit! So just go find the cheapest facility, throw a lock on it and be done, right? Not exactly – your tools and bike are worth more than a few bucks, and you wouldn’t want them in a facility that looks inviting to would be criminals, would you? You need to think like a crook, and choose the place that your criminal alter ego would take one look at, and decide to pass by because it is just too risky. So what do you look for? Here are some tips designed to help you find safe self-storage.

Finding Safe Self-Storage

Curb Appeal – A facility that looks clean, with nice signage, that’s well lit and landscaped, sends up red flags for a would be criminal. In his mind, there just has to be an easier gig than this!

Resident Manager – Imagine a burglar pulling up to a facility and seeing a house or apartment adjoining the rental office, an extra mailbox out front, and lights on at night.

Lighting and 24 hour surveillance – Nothing deters a thief more effectively than a well lit area. Combine that with visible security cameras and motion detectors, and you have a safe self-storage area that is just too risky .

Secured Property – Look for a facility that has a heavy duty security gate (yes, believe it or not there are some that don’t) and that can only be accessed with a personalized security code. The property should also be completely fenced in and secure.

Yard support crew / activity – A sense of community and interaction between management and tenants shows the would be crook that this is a place where people look out for each other, and do not turn a blind eye to unusual activity.

So generally speaking, a clean, well kept, well staffed facility is usually a safe facility. If self-storage becomes necessary, and the items that you are storing have value, be it monetary or sentimental, use these tips to help you choose a facility that will put your mind at ease. Your wife will thank you!

Basement Clean-out brings back Family Memories

5,364 Replies

Basement Clean-out brings back Family Memories
2/11/16
By Jerry Brown

It was not the way that my brothers, my sister and I wanted to spend our weekend. Our octogenarian parents had recently decided to sell the family home and downsize to a senior community with limited storage space. So we found a reputable self-storage facility and prepared to sift through the multitude of boxes and household items accumulated in the basement and attic. It was a daunting task that took two days. What we didn’t anticipate was the flood of great family memories that would be unearthed that weekend.

During our basement clean-out we found boxes and boxes of old black and white photos, baby pictures, and photos of the four of us with our very young parents, and grandparents. We found boxes of of home movies – you know, the ones that Dad thought that we should all watch every time we had company to the house. Old Greeting cards, and letters, even some pictures of our parents as high school sweethearts! Pictures of our grandfather in uniform looking like a 1950’s movie star – he had served in two wars and in two branches of the military. But by far the most touching thing that we found was the box of letters and cards that our parents had given to each other over the years. Love letters, Birthday, Christmas and Anniversary cards – even some pencil drawings that Dad had made for Mom.They met in 1952 at the Teen Club in Philadelphia, fell in love, and never looked back. Two people who have loved one another for over 60 years, raised a family, and still going strong at eighty plus. How fitting that we were doing this on Valentine’s Day weekend!

All of these memories realized by undertaking the unenviable task of cleaning out the basement. Well they are carefully boxed now and ready to go to the local self storage facility, but what started as a chore, ended as a wonderful trip back in time. So go ahead and get organized. Clean out the attic, the basement, and that old junk closet. You never know what memories you might find!

12 New Year’s Resolutions to Help You Get Organized

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Storage

Get Organized – Every time the calendar flips from one year to the next, millions of us resolve to lose weight, quit smoking or reduce debt. But have you given much thought to getting your house in order? Are you tired of staring at all of those boxes crammed with clothes you haven’t worn in 10 years or with toys your kids haven’t touched in five years?

“The new year is a perfect time to stop procrastinating, and start organizing your home and life,” said Donna David, a professional organizer in New York City.

Here are 12 tips to help you get your new year off to a well-organized start.

Start Small.
Simply put, don’t bite off more than you can chew.
“People usually make a resolution that says something like, ‘I’m going to get my home and office totally organized this year, and I will never misplace anything again’,” said Maria Spetalnik, a professional organizer in the Washington, DC, area. “This is not only unrealistic but would take so long that they usually run out of steam before they even see results. Then they are frustrated with themselves and have often created a bigger problem than they started with.”

To prevent that frustration, Spetalnik said, make resolutions like, “I will do my shopping using a list rather than trying to remember what I need.”

Use One Calendar for Everything.
This includes reminders, vacations, tasks and anything else “to help you kick  forgetfulness,” said Amber Kostelny, a professional organizer in Chicago.

Kim Oser, a professional organizer in the Washington, DC, area, said your calendar must be portable, whether it’s in paper or digital form. That way, you can mark down appointments and other calendar-worthy events when you’re on the go.

Establish Daily, Weekly and Monthly Routines.
“Creating routines to  accomplishing tasks will make sure even the mundane things get done around  the house,” Kostelny said.

For example, make your bed daily, pay your bills weekly and clean out your wallet monthly.4. Set Manageable Goals.
Either at night before or in  the morning, jot down your three most important tasks for the day, Oser said.

“There may be more than three but these are the three things that must get  done,” Oser said. “It allows you to build them in to your day rather than panicking at  the end of the day.”

Divide and Conquer.
Rather than taking on a massive organizing project, break that project up into pieces, like getting the corner of a room into shape, not the entire room, said Beth Giles, a professional organizer in Portland, OR.

“One of the biggest misconceptions is that a room can be transformed  into an organized area in a matter of minutes,” Giles said. “Most rooms or offices do not  become disorganized overnight but rather over months or years, so it will  require hours or days to work through the contents of a space and restore  its order.”

Find a Home for Everything.
Don’t bring anything new into your home unless you know where you’re going to keep it, said Barry Izsak, a professional organizer in Austin, TX.
Stamp Out Piles of Mail.
Every time a piece of mail or any other paper comes into your home, act on it right away, and then either file it or pitch it, Izsak said.

Also, register online with the Direct Marketing Associationto cut down on junk mail, said Barbara Reich, a professional organizer in New York City. “Less paper clutter means less stress,” she said.

Enlist Help.
Delegate organizing tasks to every member of your household, said Donna David, the New York City organizer.

“Everyone needs to be involved,” she said, “and take ownership of completing their responsibilities.”

If you and your family lack motivation, consider hiring a professional organizer.

“That person will not only de-clutter your home, but bring some sanity to your life,” David said.

Make a Long-Term Commitment.
Organizing doesn’t end when you’ve completed the first sweep of your home. Organization is an ongoing process, said Beth Giles, the Portland organizer. For instance, you’ve regularly got to pick up stuff around the house and put it in its proper place.

In addition, you’ve got to be flexible with your organization plans.

“Just  as our lives and schedules continually change,” Giles said, “the way we organize our homes  and offices will also need to be re-evaluated and changed.”

Take Advantage of Nifty Tools.
All sorts of technology is available to simplify home organization. For instance, a company called HomeZada produces home management and organization software. The online software lets you create a home inventory, set up a home maintenance calendar, manage home improvement projects and track household expenses—all in one place.
Track Your Progress.
“Mark down each day that you make successful  strides toward keeping your resolutions,” said Bob Sadowski, marketing manager for PR and social media at ACCO Brands Corp., which sells At-A-Glance, Day-Timer and Day Runner calendars. “Put a big red ‘X’ over that day on  your calendar. By seeing the chain of success, you’ll be motivated to keep  it going.”
Celebrate Your Success.
“Set monthly milestones where, if achieved, you can  treat yourself to something fun,” Sadowski said. “Make it a fun reward, like a night out to  enjoy dinner and a movie.
Source – Sparefoot.com

20 Moving Day Hacks

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Moving Day Hacks

Moving day is right around the corner and you’ve made preparations accordingly. Now that it’s getting closer and closer to moving day, keep some of these moving day hacks in mind to make the process smoother.

Wrap a couple layers of moving wrap tightly around your utensil organizer with the utensils still inside. This works for make-up and accessory organizers as well!
Pack spices inside a crock pot to keep them all together.
Take clothes straight from your closet into a wardrobe box. Leave the hanger on!
Put cotton balls in your make-up compacts to prevent them from breaking during the move.
Use moving wrap to cover shampoo bottles to prevent spillage.
Use boxes with handles for easy lifting.
Use sandwich bags for small items such as earrings or screws.
Cell kits and cushion foam will keep your dishware safe during the move.
Hire movers for extra help, especially if there is heavy furniture to be moved.
Try the Purge While Packing system. Keep a donation box nearby to throw in anything you no longer want.
Make up for some of those moving expenses and have a yard sale before moving day. This will get rid of the stuff you aren’t planning on bringing to your new place.
For seasonal items, use space bags to create more room.
Use a bar of soap to fill in nail holes.
Bubble wrap should be used for all fragile items such as antiques and pottery.
Make your last grocery trip two weeks before your move.
Start defrosting your refrigerator two weeks before your move.Source – www.MovingInsider.com

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