When the holiday season ends and it’s time to take down the decorations, remember to take care of them and store them properly so you can use them again and again over the years. If you don’t have storage options in Capitola, CA inside your house, you can always use a storage unit. Watch this video and learn about the right way to store an artificial tree.

Artificial trees don’t require the same amount of care as live trees, and they can last for years if you care for them the right way. Don’t store your fake tree in its original box, as it can break down over time and let moisture, dust, and bugs inside. If you use a plastic container, make sure you use one that seals tightly so the air stays out. You can also use a storage bag, and many of these bags have wheels attached.

If you’re the type of person who likes to go all out during the holidays, you’ll probably have quite a bit of cleaning up to do when the season ends. Since you won’t be needing your holiday decorations until next year, a storage unit rental in Capitola, CA can be a safe way to store your seasonal decor until you need it again. A storage unit rental will keep your things safe and protected, but you still need to pack everything properly. Be extra careful with your fragile ornaments and decorative lights, and use a bag or a box for your tree. Here are some storage tips to know when you’re cleaning up after Christmas.

Use a Storage Unit

Not all homes come with an ample amount of storage space, but a storage unit can solve the problem. Christmas only comes once a year, so there’s no real reason to keep your wreaths, trees, lights, and other decorations in your house during the rest of it. Instead, you can keep your festive decorations safe in your storage rental unit. Even though you’ll still have access to everything in your storage unit throughout the year, you probably won’t need to check up on your Christmas decorations for a long time.

Be Careful with Ornaments and Lights

Using your holiday ornaments and lights responsibly and storing them properly will help them last year after year, but you must be careful. Ornaments and lights are both easy to break if you don’t pack them up the right way before bringing them to the storage unit. Try wrapping fragile Christmas ornaments in newspaper or bubble wrap to give them some extra cushioning. You can also fill in any extra space in the box with packing peanuts, so your things don’t slide around.

Get a Bag for Your Tree

Natural trees should be thrown out after the holiday, but artificial trees can be preserved for years. Instead of using the box, the tree came in, buy a bag specifically designed for storing Christmas trees to avoid moisture and pests.

No matter what distance you’re traveling during your move, there are a few tricks you can use to make the process easier. First, give yourself more time to plan your move than you think you’ll need. Next, explore your storage options in Capitola, CA, deal with unnecessary clutter, and stock up on packing and moving supplies.

Reserving a Self-Storage Rental

A disorganized move is stressful and inefficient. An effective way to keep your family organized is to rent a temporary storage unit, especially if you’re a military family. Military families move often, and they don’t necessarily take all of their belongings with them each time they move. If you or your spouse is headed for an overseas deployment, start checking out the rates for self-storage. Talking to a storage rental company is also a smart idea if you’re a college student. You might not want to move all of the contents of your dorm room back home each summer. Rent a storage unit near your campus to streamline your move when the new school year starts.

Dealing with Clutter

The day of the move is the wrong time to deal with clutter. As soon as you decide to move, start sorting through your possessions. Get rid of items that you can discard, recycle, sell, or give away. Inevitably, there will be some items with sentimental value that you might not need any longer. If you can’t decide what to do with these items, you can put them into storage, and deal with them after you’ve settled into your new home.

Stocking up on Moving Supplies

It’s a waste of time to run out to the store for packing supplies in the middle of your move. Stock up on more supplies than you think you’ll need. Get plenty of:

• Boxes of all sizes
• Tape
• Scissors
• Markers
• Packing peanuts

Delegating Tasks

Your move will go smoothly if you delegate tasks to each family member. For example, adults and older children can wrap and pack the breakable items. Younger kids can help by packing their own clothes and stuffed animals into plastic bins. When everyone pitches in, the move will go faster than you think.

If you have ever needed to move or ship a fragile item, you probably used bubble wrap to ensure it arrived unscathed. This common packing material is loved for its unique structure—flat on one side with small, air-filled bubbles on the other, resulting in an insulating and cushioning material that protects goods during transit.

Bubble Wrap has an interesting origin story. Engineers invented this material in 1957, intending it as a new form of wallpaper. When that idea didn’t take off, they considered marketing it as greenhouse insulation. However, in the late 1960s, IBM recognized the true potential of bubble wrap and started shipping its computers in this protective packaging material.

Today, the bubble wrap you know and love is indispensable for packing, shipping, and storing fragile items. Its wide availability, affordability, and versatility make bubble wrap a staple in homes, businesses, and storage facilities. If you need a refresher on how to pack with bubble wrap, you’ve come to the right place.

When to Use Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap is ideal for protecting items prone to breakage, scratching, or damage, including:

• Plates and bowls: China and ceramics can easily chip or crack. Wrapping each piece individually prevents such damage.
• Glasses and stemware: These delicate items benefit from a cushioning wrap to protect their fragile rims, bases, and stems.
• Vases: Whether made from ceramic, porcelain, or glass, bubble wrap protects vases from impacts.
• Electronics: Laptops, televisions, cell phones, and other gadgets often require extra protection to prevent damage during transport.
• Glass shelves and tabletops: These thin, delicate surfaces scratch easily. Bubble wrap provides a protective barrier.
• Mirrors, paintings, and picture frames: To prevent these items from cracking, protect them with bubble wrap while moving.
• Furniture: Cover vulnerable protruding parts and glass elements with bubble wrap.
• Other fragile items: From collectibles to home decorations, any valuable or delicate belonging can be safely packed using bubble wrap.

Sizes of Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap comes in different sizes, which impacts the level of protection it provides:

• 1/16-inch bubble wrap is perfect for small, lightweight items like jewelry or tabletop figurines. The small bubbles offer just enough cushion without adding bulk.
• 1/8-inch bubble wrap is intended for slightly larger but still relatively lightweight items, offering a balance of protection and compactness.
• 3/16-inch bubble wrap is the most common bubble wrap size. Its versatility makes it good for small to medium-sized items needing a bit more cushioning.
• 5/16-inch bubble wrap is designed to cover medium-to-large items and protect against drops.
• 1/2-inch bubble wrap is the largest size available, ideal for covering hefty items and filling voids inside boxes.

Estimating Your Bubble Wrap Needs

When preparing for a move or packing items for storage, it’s important to gauge the amount of bubble wrap you’ll need. Consider the number and size of items you’re packing, and remember that it’s always better to have too much than not enough. In general, a 10-meter roll of bubble wrap should be enough to pack up one room.

How to Use Bubble Wrap for Packing

Here are some useful tips for packing different breakables correctly:

• How to pack dishes with bubble wrap: Start from one corner of a 5/16-inch bubble wrap sheet and cover each plate or bowl diagonally, overlapping the edges and tucking them in. Secure with tape.
• How to pack glasses with bubble wrap: Cover each piece individually in 1/8- or 3/16-inch bubble wrap, ensuring the wrap extends into the glass’s opening and completely covers the stem. Secure with tape.
• How to pack flat-screen TVs with bubble wrap: Cover the entire surface with 5/16- or 1/2-inch bubble wrap, paying close attention to the corners, which are particularly vulnerable. Secure with tape.

Additional Bubble Wrap Tips

Keep these tricks in mind to get the most out of your bubble wrap:

• Wrap items individually to ensure ample cushioning between each breakable and the box.
• Double-wrap especially fragile or valuable items.
• For maximum cushioning effect, wrap your items with the bubbles facing inward.
• Cover sharp edges or protrusions with cardboard protectors in addition to bubble wrap.
• Secure the bubble wrap with high-quality packing tape to prevent it from coming undone during transit or storage.
• Don’t rely solely on bubble wrap to protect your items. Before sealing each box, fill the void with additional materials like packing peanuts, crumpled newspaper, or 1/2-inch bubble wrap to prevent shifting.

The Importance of Quality Storage

Clearly, bubble wrap is an invaluable tool for protecting your items during a move or while in storage. Of course, the effectiveness of your packing job also depends on the quality of your storage unit. JD Mini Storage in Capitola, CA, provides clean, dry, secure units to help safeguard your belongings. Contact us today at 831-440-7325 for storage unit availability, pricing, and answers to any questions you have.

A cluttered house can be a stressful home, especially if your at-home storage space is minimal or you have a large family. Take advantage of affordable self-storage to clear out your home of seasonal items at the end of the summer. A storage rental company in Capitola, CA can offer clean, secure units in a variety of sizes.

Summer Clothing

Gather together any hot weather clothing you don’t intend to wear until next summer. Make sure each item is clean and thoroughly dry to discourage mildew. One of the most effective ways to protect clothing in temporary storage is to place it in vacuum-sealed bags. Then, stack the bags in a sealable plastic bin. While you’re at the storage unit, take the opportunity to get your chilly weather clothing out of storage.

Recreational Gear

Californians are able to enjoy the great outdoors year-round, but there are still some recreational items you might not need once summer is over. Use your self-storage rental to put away tents, portable camping stoves, and coolers. Any other recreational gear you don’t plan to use for a while can also be stored away, such as rollerblades, kayaks, golf clubs, and mountain bikes.

Pool Accessories

Once you’ve closed your pool for the season, there’s no need for all those accessories and cleaning equipment to take up space in your garage. Your storage unit can easily accommodate pool floats and cleaning chemicals. Or, perhaps you have a kiddie pool that your children won’t be using until next summer. Protect it from the elements by storing it.

Holiday Gifts

Did you know there’s a right time of year to buy certain things? By taking advantage of end-of-year sales during the fall, you can finish your holiday to-do list ahead of schedule. You can store bulky gifts in your self-storage rental so that prying eyes won’t find them prematurely. The fall is a great time of year for deals on toys, housewares, electronics, and BBQ grills.

Harvest Wine

Even if your home lacks a wine cellar, you can take advantage of the fall harvest deals on wine by storing extra bottles in your self-storage unit. Fall is one of the best times of the year to buy wine, as it’s when vineyards introduce new vintages.

When your kids grow up and head off to college , you and your spouse may be left with empty bedrooms and a house that suddenly feels too large. One great way to take control of your space is to consider downsizing into a smaller home. A storage unit in Capitola will provide you with the space that you need to store your belongings once you have downsized into a smaller property.

A storage rental company can provide you with several options when you downsize. During the moving process, renting temporary storage is a great way to keep your belongings secure and out of the way while you transition into your new home. Your kids may also appreciate having access to a student storage unit, which will allow them to store their items during summer vacation and other school breaks. Your storage unit team will work with you to help you find the right solution for your future move.

Money tends to be scarce when you’re in college, as well as after you graduate. This is why it’s a good idea to save money wherever you can. If you want to save money on a storage unit in Santa Cruz, CA, consider sharing one with your roommate. As long as you follow a few simple steps , you should be able to successfully store your things and save money while doing so. Keep reading if you’d like to pick up a couple of useful tips for sharing a storage unit with a roommate.

Color Code Your Boxes

Sharing a living space has its perks, but it has its drawbacks too. When you live in close quarters and you share your things, it’s easy for belongings to get mixed up. The good news is that it’s also easy to prevent this from happening in your storage space. Before you bring your boxes to the storage rental, it’s a good idea to color-code them. When your stuff is coded by color, you won’t spend too much time wondering whose boxes are whose. Moving boxes tend to look similar, so this can be a helpful trick to use in the storage unit.

Attach Lists of Contents

Even if you can distinguish between your boxes, things tend to get complicated when you’re rummaging through your things together while you’re in the storage unit. You can make sure everything ends up back where it belongs by attaching a list of contents to each of your boxes. Before you close the box back up, make sure that everything on your list of contents has made it back inside.

Get More Roommates Involved

Many college students share storage units in order to save money, and many of these students have multiple roommates. If you’re used to keeping your things with the same couple of people, consider splitting a storage unit between more than two people. This can save everyone money, but you should make sure that it doesn’t get messy having the storage unit in one person’s name. As long as everyone communicates, however, it can be a great idea.

When you are getting ready to move to a new house or bring your things to a storage unit in Santa Cruz, CA, you will need a few essential materials. Pick up a few sturdy boxes and some strong moving tape so you can keep your belongings safe when you transport them. View this video for some tips for taping moving boxes.

It’s crucial to secure the bottom of your moving boxes so their contents won’t fall through and drop to the ground. You can start by folding in the flaps. Then, using a tape dispenser, tape along the seam where the flaps meet in the middle. The next step is to tape an X across the box, from corner to corner. Finally, add two more pieces of tape running perpendicular to the first strip. For the top, just use one piece of tape across the middle and then two pieces going perpendicular.

A home renovation can make your home more valuable and appealing, but you might need somewhere to keep your belongings during the process. A storage unit in Capitola, CA can be a great commodity to have when you decide to make some changes or add on to your home. Your storage unit will keep your belongings safe until you’re ready to move them back into your house, and it comes with a handful of other benefits as well. Keep reading if you are wondering why you should use self-storage during a home renovation.

Depending on how much of your house you’re renovating, a decent chunk of it might be inaccessible for some time. You will need plenty of space to work with during your home renovation, and you won’t want to be tripping over clutter throughout the process. A storage unit is a place where you can store your things and access them whenever you want, but they won’t take up space in your home. As long as you pack properly and choose the right storage facility, you can rest assured that your belongings will still be in top shape when you come back for them after your renovation.

Whether you are packing your belongings up to move to a new house or you’re getting ready to put some things into your storage unit in Santa Cruz, CA , you are going to need the right packing materials. Always go for quality boxes rather than used ones, and be sure to pad each box for extra protection. You should also invest in a couple of heavy-duty markers so you can label your boxes and find what you’re looking for. Continue on for a guide to choosing the right packing materials.

Go for Quality

If you want to make sure your belongings are kept safe during their stay in your storage unit, make sure the packing materials you use are sturdy enough to survive. Many people like to take the easy route and grab used boxes from department stores and supermarkets, but they have been known to give out. Since you don’t want your packed belongings spilling out onto the ground when you’re transporting them, you should look into sturdy moving boxes. You can even find boxes that are designed for clothing, making it even easier to move part of your wardrobe to your storage unit.

Pad Your Belongings

You don’t necessarily have to go overboard in protecting everything you bring to your storage unit, but your fragile items will need some extra care. When you pack delicate items like glassware or jewelry, be sure to wrap them up before you store them away. You can use old newspapers to cushion your glassware, or you could go the extra mile and buy some bubble wrap for even more protection. You should also remember not to stack other boxes on top of your fragile items in the storage unit.

Use Sharpies for Labeling

Once you’ve padded your things and packed them in sturdy moving boxes, you should label the outside of each box. Label each one with the room that it came from or should end up in so that you don’t have to rummage through all of your things to find what you need when you come back to your storage unit rental.

When it comes to moving your stuff into a storage rental, the way you fill the unit, stack the boxes, and arrange your belongings can significantly affect how much you benefit from the space. The following tips will help you get the most out of your storage rental in Santa Cruz, CA:

Stack Your Boxes

While packing your belongings that you’ll move into storage, it’s vital that you think about storing your items vertically as well as horizontally. Many storage units are at least 8 feet tall, meaning that you can stack your boxes high to maximize what you get out of the space. To do this safely, stack boxes that are of similar size with the heaviest ones toward the floor and the lightweight ones at the top.

Leave a Path

As you move your belongings into the storage unit, keep in mind that you may want to access some of the boxes over time. To make the process of getting to particular items as hassle-free as possible, leave at least one walkway through the middle of your unit. When you fill the space completely, not only will it be more difficult to see where everything is, but you’ll also have to move more boxes to reach what it is that you need.

Label Your Boxes

Among the most important steps that you can take to get the most out of your storage unit is to label your boxes and face them toward the aisle. The path that you make will be of little help if you can’t determine what items are where.

Break Items Down

Do you have some bulky belongings that you need to store? If so, then take a closer look at these items and determine if they can be taken apart. Many types of furniture, exercise equipment, and athletic gear can be at least partially disassembled to make them easier to store. When doing this, be sure to keep all of the related pieces together and bag up bolts and screws as necessary.

Before you head to your storage unit in Santa Cruz, CA , you will need to first pack up your belongings. This tends to be a stressful experience for many, but the right insight can make it a much simpler process. Watch this video if you would like to pick up some top tips for packing before using a storage unit.

Whether you are going on a vacation, moving to a new home, or stowing some of your belongings away in a storage unit, you need to make sure you do it right. This will ensure that your belongings are in the same shape when you retrieve them as they were in when you left them in the storage unit. Use a wardrobe box when you transport clothing, and take advantage of the extra space at the bottom. Remember to label and color-code your boxes for easy unpacking, and keep your larger items in smaller boxes and your smaller items in large boxes.

If you are planning to visit a secure storage facility and rent a high quality storage unit in Santa Cruz, there are a few packing tips to consider first. Watch this video to find out more about how to pack your belongings for storage .

The video begins by advising you to pack heavier items, such as books, in smaller boxes. Lighter items, such as clothes, can be packed in larger boxes. The presenter suggests stacking heavier boxes on the bottom of each pile, with lighter ones on top. It’s important to make sure that the boxes are securely stacked. The video suggests fitting plastic or metal shelves into your storage unit. This will make it easier for you to access individual boxes. The presenter also reminds viewers of the importance of carefully labeling each box. It can be useful to know the precise location of specific items or categories of items when looking around your storage unit.

There are many situations in which you might chose to place some of your possessions in storage. Perhaps you are moving house or are temporarily living in a small property. You may be sentimentally attached to certain bulky items, such as heirloom furniture, which you do not have room for in your current home. If you are planning to seek out professional storage services near Santa Cruz , you will first need to pack up your belongings. Packing carefully is key, if you wish your belongings to remain in excellent condition while they are in storage.

Sort and Categorize Your Belongings

Decide which items you may need to access more frequently so you’ll be able to place these toward the front of the storage unit. Make sure they are not buried underneath a stack of other boxes. Separate out fragile items and take special care in packing them. Think about how best to store bulky or awkwardly shaped items, which will not fit easily into boxes. The management team at a reputable storage facility should be able to offer advice on packing these items.

Choose Your Packing Materials

Pack your belongings in plastic or cardboard boxes. You should never use plastic bags as some plastic bags can degrade over time and leave their contents exposed to moisture. Use standard-sized packing boxes, if possible. Most storage units are designed to house a specific number of boxes. Using standard-sized boxes will make it easier to estimate the size of storage unit you will need. If the boxes are different sizes, it will be more difficult to stack them evenly. Use bubble wrap or quilts to cushion fragile items. If in doubt, ask the staff at the self-storage facility for advice.

Select the Right Size Storage Unit

You’ll need to count the number of boxes you have packed and measure any non-boxed items in order to estimate the size of storage unit you will need. The self-storage company may be able to offer guidance on this. Your belongings should fit snugly inside the storage unit you choose.

If you’re an avid collector, you know how important it is to keep your collectibles safe and appropriately stored , especially if they’re valuable, one-of-a-kind, or irreplaceable. The last thing you want is to be personally responsible for damaging something that you love and revere. There may come a time when you may need to store your collectibles away long-term, which can mean renting a space from a self-storage facility near Santa Cruz. If you’re in the market for a storage unit, be sure to go with a facility that’s reliable and secure.

Be Aware of Your Collectibles’ Needs

When you’re a collector of a specific item, you probably already know how properly to handle, display, and store that item. Before you store your collectibles, know how to store them and know what they need.

Learn How Not to Store Your Collectibles

When choosing a storage unit, be mindful of environmental conditions that can damage your collection. Overly-humid environments can encourage mold and mildew to grow, and can corrode items made of or with metal. For example, if you’re storing a collection of rare, first-edition books, you don’t want to store them in an area where moisture levels are high. Conversely, overly arid conditions can cause fabrics and organic materials to dry out and become brittle. Temperature is also a factor. Wild fluctuations can cause warping or fractures.

Store Your Collectibles Correctly

Take an inventory of, and access, all of your collectibles you need to store. If you’re planning to rent a self-storage unit, try to store items there that are not finicky and delicate, if possible. If you have to move your entire collection to storage, take extra precautions to protect your valuables. For instance, pack them in well-insulated, airtight containers. When packing up items that are moisture sensitive, use desiccants to help absorb excessive moisture during storage periods. For delicate items, protect them with packing materials such as bubble wrap, packing peanuts, cotton sheets, or Mylar wrap. And for extra peace of mind, consider having your collectibles insured while they’re at a self-storage facility.

There are times in life when people need a self-storage unit in Capitola , which can include moving from one house to another, traveling abroad, needing extra storage space, or running a business that requires storing inventory. If you’re looking to rent a storage unit, be sure to choose one that’s clean, accessible, and in a secure storage facility. Here are some helpful tips on how to pack your belongings for self-storage.

Use Sturdy Boxes

Since you want to maximize your storage unit’s space, boxes should be stacked. Therefore, use boxes or containers that are sturdy and can handle weight placed on top of them. When stacking, place heavier boxes at ground level and stack lighter boxes on top. Boxes and containers with fragile items should be placed on top, with nothing on top of them—don’t forget to mark those boxes as “fragile”. Be sure to label everything and list the contents of every box so that you know what’s inside.

Prepare Furniture for Storage

Before you move any of your furniture pieces to your self-storage unit, make sure you’ve properly cleaned and treated them. For example, treat a wood table with a cleaner that both cleans and polishes wood surfaces, and protects wood from drying out. Similarly, use cleaner for metal that cleans and prevents corrosion. Once your furniture pieces have been thoroughly wiped down, protect them from damage by wrapping them in insulating packing materials such as bubble wrap, thick plastic wrap, heavy fabric, or corrugated cardboard. Pack loose couch cushions into sturdy garbage bags or wrap them in plastic. If you happen to have them, use wooden pallets to lift furniture off of the ground as a safeguard against potential flooding—that is, if your area is prone to minor floods during the rainy season.

Protect Valuable Collections

If you own valuable collectibles, take extra precautions to protect them while they’re in your self-storage unit. Items that are sensitive to moisture—such as stamps, coins, documents, books, artwork, clothing, and dolls—should be stored in special, airtight containers that are insulated. If at all possible, don’t leave super valuable or rare items in your storage unit. Instead, make special arrangements for them to be housed somewhere safer and climate-controlled.

Are you preparing to move your household items into a self-storage facility in Capitola? After you reserve your secure self-storage unit, it is time to begin the packing process. While preparing your bedding may seem like a simple task, it takes just a bit of preparation and a few supplies to keep your linens in pristine condition. Whether you are renting multiple long-term storage units or have secured temporary student storage, keep reading to learn why proper cleaning, vacuum bags, and certain boxes are essential for linen storage.

Proper Cleaning

Vacuum Bags

Vacuum storage bags protect blankets and pillows and free up extra space in a self-storage unit. To use vacuum bags, simply place folded pillows and blankets inside. Next, insert your vacuum’s hose into the valve on the side of the bag and turn on the vacuum. This process creates an airtight seal to keep out mildew, insects, dust, and odors.

Special Boxes

While cardboard boxes are perfectly acceptable for short-term linen storage, consider investing in a cedar chest if your storage unit rental will last for several months or more. Cedar wool oil acts as a natural moth and insect repellant, which makes it perfectly suited to store natural-fiber bedding. If you have synthetic blankets and poly-filled pillows, consider purchasing plastic bins. Bins prevent dust from accumulating and can also be re-used later on. If you plan to use cardboard boxes in your self storage unit, line them with heavy duty lawn bags for an extra layer of protection.

Moving can be a stressful event, whether you’re heading across the country or simply to a new place across town. There are many aspects to a successful move, including using a self-storage facility in Capitola to hold your excess belongings. In addition to planning ahead so that you feel less overwhelmed and don’t leave everything to the last minute, you’ll need to equip yourself with the proper supplies. Boxes are essential for moving and storage, and it’s a good idea to invest in high-quality moving boxes that are sturdier and easier to stack than old boxes you may have lying around. Packing tape that is at least two inches wide will help secure your boxes so that nothing accidentally falls out. Don’t forget about packing peanuts and bubble wrap to make sure your fragile items remain intact during moving and storage. Check out this infographic from JD Mini Storage to learn more about what supplies are an absolute must for your next move. Please share with your friends and family!

When storing your kitchenware in a secure storage facility in Capitola , you want to be sure that glass and ceramic items don’t get broken while in a storage facility or in transit. You can protect your kitchenware by packing it carefully and storing it securely in your self-storage unit.

Before packing up your kitchenware, wrap up any breakable items in newspaper or butcher paper. You should consider buying glass pack boxes for wine glasses and other drinking glasses. Pack your boxes carefully and securely, so that there isn’t a lot of space for items to shift around and hit against each other. Fill in extra spaces between items with crumpled-up newspaper or packing peanuts.

When moving your boxes of kitchenware into your self-storage unit, take special care to properly stack boxes. Always make sure that heavier boxes are on the bottom of the stack to prevent boxes from tipping over or collapsing into each other. You should also only stack one box on top of another if it is the exact same size, or slightly smaller to avoid accidents.