Packing Boxes: What Not To Do

So many choices in storage today! Traditional (typical drive up access) storage unit or climate (temperature) controlled storage. How to decide which is right for you? Let's first discuss the key differences. Temperature Swings With climate controlled, the temperature is set at 60 degrees in the winter and 80 in the summer. Obviously, just like in your home, the temperature will fluctuate a few degrees based on what the outside temperature is and the cycling of the HVAC unit but the temperature is maintained close to the setting on the thermostat. This is just a 20 degree temperature swing from winter to summer. Most items can be stored with little adverse affect from these types of temperature swings. With traditional storage there is no attempt made to control the temperature in the unit. If it is -20 degrees outside, it is likely -20 degrees in your storage unit. If it is 90 degrees outside the storage unit, due to the sun shine, it is likely 110 degrees inside. This is a 130 degree temperature swing. This extreme change in temperature over time can be hard on your stored goods especially if it is stored for several of these temperature swings. Some items are perfectly suited and are designed for these types of extreme temperature fluctuations but most are not. Lighting Our Climate controlled storage is inside of a building. There are LED lights outside near each entrance to make sure that you are in a well lit area for safety and security. Once inside the facility has motion activated LED lights allowing you to move your items into your unit after sunset. Traditional storage has exterior only lights. The inside of the storage unit may be quite dark if you go to your unit after sunset. Access With our climate controlled storage, each tenant receives a unique code to get in the door. After that, each storage unit is locked up giving two levels of security for your stored items. Traditional storage, the lock on the unit is the only level of security. Loading/Unloading Climate controlled storage requires that you place your items on one of our provided moving carts and take it to your storage unit inside the building. Traditional storage allows you to drive up to your unit and unload your items conveniently with little to no extra steps required. Price Due to the additional expenses involved in operating climate controlled storage (it costs a lot to heat and cool a space that large) climate controlled storage is more expensive than traditional storage. Traditional storage is a much more economical option for storing your stuff. Now that you know some of the key differences between traditional and climate controlled storage, it is time for you to choose which to rent to meet your needs. Have temperature sensitive items? Climate controlled is your best option. Planning to store small household items? While either will work to store these items, climate controlled will keep them in better condition for the longer term. Have larger items like cars, trucks, boats, ATV/UTV, snowmobile etc? Traditional storage is for you. Just need short term storage? Either will work. Again, climate controlled is the better alternative but if you are on a budget, traditional storage is your better option. Thanks for reading! If you have specific questions regarding traditional or climate controlled storage, please feel free to reach out to us. We are happy to help out any way we can!

Don't Worry We've Got You Covered Storage Tips Tip #1: Store items you'll need most often at the front of the unit. Tip #2: When you pack your storage unit, create a center aisle for access to all items. Tip #3: Do not place boxes directly on concrete floors, but use pallets or skids to allow air flow around and under items. Tip #4: If you're storing tables and other furniture, remove legs and store tabletops and sofas on end, to save space. Tip #5: Old photographs tend to curl over time. To keep them flat, place them between two pieces of cardboard and tape them together. Tip #6: Drain gasoline and oil from lawn mowers and other items with small engines. Tip #7: Common sense and state law determines what may be stored. s or drug paraphernalia, live animals, perishables, liquids, explosives, flammable liquids and fuels, toxic materials, or other items that need a controlled environment. Tip #8: Use trash cans to store shovels, hoes and rakes. Tip #9: Mattresses should be covered and stored flat on level surfaces. Tip #10: Use protective covers and treat wood surfaces before storing. Tip #11: When storing metal items, to retard rust, wipe all metal surfaces with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil. Tip #12: Pack blankets, draperies, and dress clothes on the hanger in a wardrobe box. Tip #13: Always use high quality locks on your unit. Locks are available for sale-just ask your site manager for a recommendation.

However, once you have begun renting a unit there are some tricks in the way you organize that will help keep things you need most accessible. When most people move their stuff into a unit they begin stacking it from back-to-front until it is full. Taking a little time to organize will save you a lot of time in the future when you need to find something. Here are some things to consider when moving into a unit: Label Your Boxes, Bins, and Containers If you mark what type of items or specify the room contents on the outside of the box it will save you from digging through all your boxes when you need to find something. For example, simply marking “kitchenware” or “photography equipment” on the outside of your boxes will help you know directly where to go when you need to find a specific item. Place Frequently Used Items at the Front Take a moment to assess which things you use most and will potentially need to access in the near future. Keep those items at the front by the door and you won’t have to crawl over all your stuff to find the things you need. Sketch a Diagram Of all the suggestions, this one is probably the most ingenious. As you fill your unit, draw a sketch of where boxes and items are stored to reference when you need them in the future. Use Vertical Space Using shelves in Storage is a great way to maximize the efficiency of the space you have while keeping your stuff organized and easy to access. Make sure you determine what size of unit you will need by using a “storage size estimator” and then fully utilize the space you have by neatly stacking it with shelf-units. Being organized is one of the most efficient ways to save time and energy, but also to avoid the headaches that come with using self-storage. If you have any questions about what type of storage you might need, call or email us by clicking on the link! (CONTACT US).

Winter is coming up, and that means it’s time to start preparing your vehicle and toys for storage. If you use more than one set of tires, such as winter tires or all-season tires, it’s important to store them correctly. By doing so, you’ll get the most out of your tire’s life and save the hassle and money of replacing them. Here are several tips on how to get the most out of your tires by storing them properly. Clean Tires Before Storing As with anything you store, cleaning tires before long term storage is important. Dirt, dust, and grime left on the tires can cause damage when it sits for too long. Wash the tires with soap and water or a wheel cleaner. Make sure to let them completely dry before storing them. Water left in the tire will cause damage as well. If you don’t have time to let the tires completely dry, wipe them down with a towel and get as much water off as you can. Storing a Vehicle If you have to store a vehicle long term, make sure to give the tires a break. The constant weight of the vehicle on the tires can cause stress and damage. If possible, periodically move the vehicle or take it out on a short drive. By rotating the tires you will relieve stress on them and keep them from wearing out too quickly. Spare or Loose Tires Tires that are not on a vehicle will have a completely different storing method. Once the tires are clean and dry, the best way to store them, is in an airtight bag. A dark lawn or garden bag works great for this. Try to remove as much air from the bag, some people like to use a vacuum to suck out the air. Once you’ve removed as much air as possible, tie the bag and secure it with tape. Tire totes are a convenient way to store and carry tires as well. However, most tire totes are not airtight. It’s still recommended to bag the tires in an airtight bag before putting them in the tire totes. This will make them convenient to carry, while also keeping your tires secure, and clean when they aren’t in use. If your tires are still mounted on the rims, they should be stored by stacking or hanging. But, unmounted tires should never be hung or stacked. It can cause stress, distortion, and damage to them. Unmounted tires should always be stored upright. Do not stack your tires too high, because if they fall over, it could damage the tires. By storing the tires properly, you will avoid damage and extend the life of your tires. Other Storing Tips With the previous tips, your tires will be securely stored. But, there are a couple more tricks to protect your tires in storage. When it’s time to put your tires away, store them in a cool or dry place. Avoid any place that can get extreme weather like heat, cold, humidity, or excess water. All these extremes can damage your tires. Sun is also damaging for tires, and if left in direct sun the rubber can break down. By keeping your tires out of the sun, you will prevent damage that can ruin your tires. By following these tips and tricks, you will be able to get the most out of your tires. Properly storing tires is important, and with these tips, you’ll be an expert! A storage unit is a great option for storing tires because they keep the rain out and the sun off of your items. To learn more about our storage units at Eclipse Self Storage, visit our rent page.

Your car is out on the driveway because it can’t fit in the garage: The definition of a garage is ‘a shed for housing a motor vehicle.’ If your car is sitting in the beating sunlight or enduring the rain and hail while your boxes are sitting safely in your garage. It’s time to get a storage unit. Baby is on the way and your spare room is used for storage: Whether it’s a baby or a need for a guest room, if you have a full sized room packed with boxes get a storage unit. Not only will you have room for them, you’ll feel much more organized in your own home. You’re moving to a new home: Whether you’re upgrading or downsizing, a storage unit can help you ease the transition no matter the situation. You can move things out slowly and also unpack at your own pace. Downsizing to a smaller home also means you need to downsize your stuff. You or a loved one attends college and is returning home for the summer: Whether it’s across town or across the country, instead of bringing all their belongings with them to store in your garage. Or paying a housing lease to be unlived in. Renting a storage unit nearby can save so much time and money. Many facilities also give student discounts. You own a small business: Whether it’s for tools, documentation, a lawn mower or display materials exhibitions. The list can go on forever. Office spaces are expensive and it makes no sense to rent an extra room just to be used for storage. It also doesn’t make sense to store them in your garage, then we’re back to reason 1 you may need a storage unit. The workout equipment hasn’t been touched for years but every weekend you claim you’ll start on Monday: Isn’t that how it usually goes? Set up your own personal gym and whether you go or not, the workout getting them there is probably more than you’ve done the past month. A relative died and you need a place to store their things: Unfortunately this does happen and sometimes it could take a while figuring out where their belongings are going, store them in a storage unit to keep them in good condition, safe and out of your garage. You have expensive hobbies: No place to store your ATV, Bikes, Kayaks, sailboards and camp trailer? You may need a storage unit. Self storage units are available in a wide range of sizes, depending on the facility covering both long and short terms of storage. They’re pretty inexpensive and also provide safety from burglary and damage. Call us today for more information or to get your rental started right away!

Finding a trustworthy storage unit is kind of like finding a trustworthy landlord, except you only really get to deal with the storage company once or twice when you sign up and move in. After that, you hopefully won't talk to them at all. You pay your rent, visit your storage unit when you need to get something or put something in, and that's all there is to it. However, there are some warning signs you should keep an eye out for to make sure your relationship with your storage company is a good one. Decide on the Type of Storage Unit You Need Take a look at the things you plan to put into storage. You may already have an idea of the size of storage unit you want to rent, but keep in mind that you don't want to just rent a storage unit that will fit all of your items, you want a unit where you can fit yourself inside with a little room to work. If you ever want to be able to get your items out, you don't want to pack your storage space wall to wall, floor to ceiling. Many people get the smallest possible unit they can get in order to save money, and then wind up having to empty half of it to get to a box that's in the back. Don't be that guy, unless you know you'll never need anything you're putting inside. Do Your Homework Now we're going to focus on how you can find storage buildings as opposed to at-home storage boxes sealed boxes that you can't access when you want to go get your Christmas lights. First, don't get stuck on the storage facility closest to your home. Here are some things to do before you even pick up the phone. Don't get stuck on location. There's no faster way to find yourself storing your precious memories in a facility that sucks than to get stuck working with the one that just happens to be closest to you or cheapest in your community. Cast your net wide enough so you have a good handful of options that you can investigate. Check the reviews. Look up the storage facility on Google. You obviously want to take reviews with a grain of salt, but if they're all bad or there's a recurring theme, you may want to steer clear. The reviews can also give you some insight into what you may want to keep an eye out for if you go visit the storage facility. Compare the gate and office hours. A number of storage units only post their gate hours, to make the location sound like it's open later than it really is. Remember there's a difference. The gate hours are usually the hours in which you can access your storage unit, but the office hours are almost always shorter. If you have a problem or need to speak to someone, you'll only be able to address your issues during office hours. Similarly, make sure the gate and access hours are convenient for you. If your storage unit closes at 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays, it's probably not very convenient, and there may be a reason why. Go Visit and Ask Questions Now that you know what you're looking for and you have a few options, it's time to go take a look at the storage locations you're considering. Once you walk through the door, don't be pressured to sign on the dotted line right away, even if the property management tries to tell you that units are limited. Most companies will let you at least hold a unit overnight so you can think it over. Make the most of your visit by looking around and asking questions instead. Ask the property management if you can see the unit you would actually get. This, or at least a unit on the same floor or in the same area. Some storage facilities will show you a clean, 3rd floor unit but actually rent you a dirty, bug-infested basement one, so be assertive if you have to so you can see a unit representative of the one you'll actually sign for. Ask if there are any rental specials or discounts available. Most storage companies will offer you the first month free or for $1, which makes the transition from an old storage unit to a new one really easy (especially if you've already paid for the last month in the old unit) or if you want to make moving into the new unit a little less painful on the wallet. If they don't offer a special, don't worry, the next one you visit probably will. Find out what happens if you miss or are late on a payment. In many places, storage units aren't treated like apartments. On the first day of the month, your rent is automatically late. Grace periods vary by the company or even by the state, and in some cases even being a few days late with your payment means your unit's contents can be auctioned off to the highest bidder at a wholesale auction. The last storage unit I rented gave me that scare tactic, and reminded me that I should always be timely or else the unit would be scheduled for auction and I would incur daily late fees. Make sure you know what your storage unit's policy is before you're stuck trying to do a wire transfer or pay online because you left town without dropping off a check. Once you've seen the unit you would actually get and you have a good understanding of what you'd be getting into, ask the property manager if you can put the unit on hold if you like what you see. They may or may not be able to, but don't fall for high-pressure tactics. Even if you can't hold the unit, get a business card so you get back in touch with the person you met. Hopefully, this helps you to find the perfect storage unit possible and hopefully that storage unit is ours!

Packing up all of your wooden, leather, down and fabric furniture can definitely be a stressful task. Especially if they’re valuable, special or just expensive. Here are a few tips on how to store your furniture the right way. Clean Everything Before Storing Make sure you wipe down, vacuum cushions and just make sure you never put anything into storage if it’s already dirty. This will prevent unwanted odors but more importantly, it prevents the risk of mold and mildew growth. With wooden/plastic furniture, use a mild soap and water. For wooden objects especially, use a duster or a wood cleaner like Murphy Oil Soap to protect the finish on the wood. Use a fabric or upholstery cleaner to clean couches and chairs but be sure everything is completely dry before packing up. Lastly, polish any metal sections with a polishing cloth and metal cleaner. This removes any oxidation and delay the build up of rust or tarnish. Take Everything Apart Things such as bed frames, desks, bookshelves, tables and more! This just allows easier transportation and much more room to be used within your storage container. Make sure to put screws and bolts in labeled bags or containers. Wrap Furniture for Long Term Storage Make sure everything is completely covered. Lay down pallets or plastic sheeting to prevent moisture from the floor seeping into your furniture or boxes. If you wrap furniture in thick plastic it may create moisture block, odors, and eventually perhaps swelling. Make sure that you wrap the furniture with old blankets and sheets so it can breathe. Protect your Glass Items Make sure to take extra precautions with Glass Items. Wrap them in packing paper and be sure not to place tape directly onto the glass or it will leave a sticky residue you’d have to deal with later. Wrapping glass in bubble wrap or putting it into a box will also provide it with extra security. Don’t Leave Food Behind Never leave anything perishable in the storage unit because you may attract bugs or unwanted critters. Make sure your storage unit is treated with pest control regularly. You can never be too cautious. Here are a few of our best tips for storing furniture in your storage unit! Rent a clean and affordable storage unit with us today and we’ll ensure safety to you and your belongings.

Finding! Forget about the old days of using the phone book to call a bunch of different storage facilities with half of them answering their phones, and half of those people having what you need available to rent, and then half of those not being able to meet you at the facility to let you in until it's on their time frame. Today we have the greatest resources ever, the Internet. You can quickly search on the internet to find a website for the storage facility and see everything they offer, what units are available, you can rent and pay online, and move in the same day. When it comes to finding, The Internet is the source to go to! Now that you've found a bunch of different storage facilities it's time to ask yourself some questions about the storage facilities that you've found. First, is Cost: How much does the storage unit cost? Location: Is it close to roads? How is the Neighborhood? Are the Neighboring business kept in good shape? Easy Access: Can you easily maneuver a truck around the facility? Features: Do they have any convenience features such as the ability to rent online? receive Text/Email Notifications about your bill, or account? Can you access your bill online and make a payment online? can you be set up on recurring billing? Keep all of these questions in mind as you search for and rent your next storage facility, it could save you some headaches down the road.