A storage unit in Santa Cruz, CA presents the perfect way to keep your seasonal decorations safe when it’s time to take them down. Decorations tend to be fragile, so you need to make a plan so they’re still in one piece when you go back to get them. Watch this video and try these tips to store holiday decorations.

Decorations might be the best part of the holidays, but they have to come down sometimes. The trick to preserving their condition is in the packing, and all you need is a few household items to keep everything safe. Wrap small strands of holiday lights around a hanger, and use a piece of cardboard for longer strands or heavier lights. Cut an empty toilet paper roll to use as a holder for your wrapping paper, and attach a hanger to your wreaths for easy storage.

Packing up your belongings the right way helps keep them safe during the move, and it’s also useful when it comes to pest prevention. You don’t want to return to the storage unit in Capitola, CA to find bugs in your boxes, so you need to know what to do and what to look for. Wash your clothes before you pack them, whether you’re moving them to a storage unit or to a new home. Pack using only the best packing materials so you can close bugs out, and inspect your belongings before you put them away. If you want to pack to prevent pests, read ahead.

Wash Your Clothes

Certain types of pests like to feed on fabric, which makes your clothing a target for their meals. You might already have small bugs like moths and silverfish in your clothing as it hangs in your closet, but an infestation can occur if you pack them away with your garments. Wash all of your clothing in hot water before you pack, so you can kill the bugs and avoid an infestation while your belongings wait in your storage unit.

Use the Right Materials

Sometimes people end up dealing with pest problems because they failed to use the right packing materials. As cheap and convenient as it might be to take empty boxes from a department or grocery store, there are a few problems with this tactic. First, the boxes might not be sturdy enough, and your belongings could break if they bottom out. Secondly, they might contain bugs that you didn’t notice. You don’t want to return to your storage unit to find pests waiting, so use clean boxes that are designed for moving.

Look Before You Leave

Knowing how to identify a pest problem gives you a leg up when packing to prevent one. Inspect everything before you put it away, especially your bedding. Look for blood spots in your sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and the seams of your mattress. If you find any, you might have bed bugs. Call a pest control professional and wash all of your bedding in hot water.

Proper labeling on your moving boxes is vital to keeping your move and your storage unit well organized. There are many ways to label boxes—such as using a color-coded system or individual inventory list—and each has its own drawbacks and attributes. However, you can use a mixture of different labeling systems to ensure that your boxes are easy to keep track of during the moving process and in your Capitola, CA storage rental . Read on to learn about a quick and efficient way to label all of your moving boxes.

Before beginning the process, purchase new labeling supplies. You will need colored permanent markers, colored painter’s tape, and colored labeling stickers. Separate your boxes and items by the rooms they belong to. Each room will be designated a color, such as blue for bathroom items and orange for kitchen items. Take the correct colored marker and write the name of the room on all four sides and on the top of the box. You can also include a short inventory list on each box or on a master list that includes the number of boxes and furniture that will be moved to your new home or storage unit.

There are many tips, tricks, do’s, and don’ts when it comes to packing belongings into a storage unit . For example, overpacked and mislabeled boxes can present dangers in your Santa Cruz, CA storage unit. You can prevent difficulties by following the dos and don’ts listed below.

Do Plan a Layout

Planning an efficient layout is one of the most important steps when packing your storage unit. This layout will help you create pathways throughout the unit, so you can easily access all of your furniture and moving boxes. Draw up a simple plan of the unit and use painter’s tape to section off pathways and different areas of the physical unit.

Don’t Overpack Boxes

It may seem easy to overpack moving boxes, especially when they will be sitting in a storage unit. However, overpacked and heavy boxes can present several dangers and difficulties during storage and moving. Heavy boxes stacked on each other can create an unstable tower that might fall and injure you or damage your items. Always be aware of how heavy your boxes are so you can ensure their stability while they are in storage.

Do Label Boxes

Proper labeling will keep you more organized and allow for easy access to your items in the unit. Separate your boxes by the rooms they belong to and categorize each set of boxes with a different color. For example, label your boxes of dishware and kitchen products with a blue marker and blue tape. This color-coding system will keep your unit organized and more efficient when unloading boxes.

Don’t Use Subpar Supplies

When you use old moving boxes, trash bags, or used containers to hold your items, then you risk the containers ripping and damaging your belongings inside. If you use newspaper to protect your breakables, then the newspaper will likely stain the items and make them difficult to clean. Choose new packing supplies from your moving company or storage facility, so you can rest assured that your belongings are protected.

A moving checklist is an important component during the moving process. A checklist will have the steps you need to ensure a quick and efficient move. These steps will include purging unwanted belongings, renting a storage unit, and purchasing labeling and packing supplies. Your checklist should also have important phone numbers attached, such as your storage rental company in Santa Cruz, CA. Let’s take a closer look at the steps that should be on your moving checklist.

Purge Old Items

Sorting and purging your clothing, furniture, and belongings should be one of the first steps on your moving checklist. This step is important to prevent you from needlessly moving items that are broken, outdated, or unwanted. Keep the purging step manageable by sorting room by room and creating different piles for items you wish to keep, sell, and throw away.

Rent a Storage Unit

There are many reasons to rent a storage unit during the moving process. You may be downsizing to a small apartment or rental house before moving to a larger home. You may have a child move out and require a student storage unit. You can also use a storage unit to hold certain items that you are reluctant to part with. No matter the reason, take the time to rent a unit and check it off your moving checklist.

Purchase Labeling Supplies

Labeling supplies will be one of your best aids during the moving process. Use multicolored markers to categorize boxes for different areas. You can also use painter’s tape, highlighters, and colored label stickers to help distinguish all of your moving boxes. Put the color and the number of boxes for each location on your checklist, so you can check off items as they are unloaded.

Organize Moving Boxes

Prior to loading boxes into a moving truck or storage unit, take the time to organize them by size and importance. The most important items—such as valuables or toiletries—should be loaded into a truck or storage rental at the end. This task will help you easily access your items right away.

A bug infestation can cause significant damage to the items that you move into your storage unit near Santa Cruz. This video will provide you with some simple tips that will allow you to naturally prevent bugs in your storage unit. Nontoxic materials, such as baking soda and silica gel, can remove moisture from your storage unit and prevent bugs from infiltrating your space.

A top-rated storage rental in your local area will take all the steps that are needed to prevent bug infestations and other pest problems. To make sure that you are renting a clean unit that is pest-free, consider taking a tour of the facility before you reserve your storage unit rental.

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.

Before you start transporting your belongings into a storage unit, you will need to make sure that your boxes are properly packed and organized . To reduce your stress in the days leading up to your move into self-storage, you may want to create a detailed packing plan. A company that offers storage rental near Capitola can also provide you with boxes, tape, and other supplies that you will need to pack your items. Here are some simple hacks to keep in mind as you prepare your items for storage:

Create a Labeling System

After you have moved all your boxes into storage, you may quickly forget where you have placed certain belongings. To avoid confusion during and after your move, it is a great idea to create a labeling system to use on your boxes as they are being packed. Colored tape, for example, can be used to clearly identify the contents of certain boxes. You may also want to list the general contents of a box on its exterior label.

Use Sheets and Towels As Packing Materials

To save space while you are packing household goods, you may want to consider using your extra sheets and towels to protect more fragile items. Your linens can be securely wrapped around vases, lamps, and other breakable belongings to provide them with an extra layer of protection. As a bonus, using towels as packing materials will eliminate the need to purchase bubble wrap or packing peanuts.

Avoid Overfilling Your Boxes

During the packing process, it may be tempting to cram as much stuff as possible into a single box. If you pack your boxes to the point where they are bulging or overflowing, however, you will have a much more difficult time arranging them in your storage unit. As a general rule of thumb, you should always leave a few inches of space at the very top of each box that you pack.

Self-storage is an incredibly convenient service that can help you free up much needed storage space in your home or office. When you are considering renting a storage unit near Santa Cruz , it is important to separate the myths from the facts about these types of facilities. Your storage unit professionals will be there to answer any questions that you might have about what to expect from your experience with placing your items into storage. Let’s debunk some of the most popular myths concerning storage facilities.

Myth: Storage units offer temporary solutions.

A common myth about self-storage is that this type of service is mainly designed for people who are in times of transitions. While temporary storage can provide you with necessary space during a big move, you can also benefit from long-term solutions that are offered by your facility. A long-term storage unit can allow you to hang on to outdoor equipment, important paperwork, and other bulky items that would otherwise be cluttering up your home.

Myth: Storage is too expensive.

You will be pleased to learn that self-storage is an affordable option that can be appropriate for people of many different incomes. When you decide that you are in need of storage, you can contact your local facility to learn about their rates and specials. Without a long-term contract, you will also be free to cancel your storage unit rental and stop your monthly fees at any time.

Myth: Storage units are hard to access.

When you place your belongings into storage, there may be certain items that you will want to be able to access at a moment’s notice. A quality storage unit facility will provide you with access to your unit during many hours of the day. With keypad security access, you will be able to easily unlock and open up your storage unit when needed. Your storage unit professionals will provide you with convenient services throughout your storage rental experience.

Whether you’re trying to clear up some space in your house or you’re moving back from college, a storage unit in Santa Cruz, CA, can help you out. If you want to have the best experience possible, it’s a good idea to look around and find a storage facility that you can trust . Think about the location of your storage unit compared to where you are and where you will be, how easy it is to access your things, and whether or not your stuff will be safe. Continue reading for more on what to look for.

Convenient Location

If you’re moving to a new location but you plan on coming back, a storage unit can keep your things safe in the meantime. The same applies when you’re clearing up clutter in your house and you need a place to keep your belongings. When you choose a storage facility, choose one that is in a logical location for your needs. Pick a storage unit that’s close to your school if you’re moving back home for the summer, and choose one near your home if you’re getting rid of clutter.

Accessible Units

A storage unit wouldn’t be a great solution if you had limited access to your belongings. That’s why you should find a storage facility that has convenient hours that work for your schedule. Look through different storage facilities’ websites to get an idea of how easy it will be to get to your things before you make a decision so that you’re never left stranded when you need something important.

Secured Storage

Coming back to your storage unit to find that someone has ransacked your things is not a good feeling, but with the right storage rental, you won’t have to worry about it. Different storage facilities will take different measures to protect your belongings. You should look for one that’s gated in so that potential thieves and vandals can’t get to your things. In this day and age, electronic keypad access is a useful security measure that keeps criminals out while still allowing you to get to your things.

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.

A storage unit in Santa Cruz, CA , can be a lifesaver, especially for college students. You can use it to store your seasonal belongings, furniture, or anything else you might need in the future but have no space for at the present. You should realize, however, that not everything you own can or should be sent to the storage unit. There are some items that might not fare well in temporary storage, so it is important to identify what they are before it’s too late. Take a look ahead for some examples of surprising things that you shouldn’t pack away in your storage unit.

If you come across a great deal on scented candles and decide to stock up, don’t plan on leaving your stockpile in a storage unit. Anything that smells too strongly can attract insects and rodents, which is a problem that you will not want to have to deal with. For the same reason, you should never keep food in your storage unit. You should also make sure you don’t store anything while it’s moist or damp, as this moisture can quickly lead to a mold problem and ruin the items in its vicinity.

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.

You will want all of your belongings to make it to the storage unit in Santa Cruz, CA without any trouble, but some items are more fragile than others. If you have some artwork that you’d like to keep in your temporary storage unit , it’s wise to take some extra precautions to keep it safe. Watch this video to learn about the right way to pack artwork.

One of the most important aspects of packing fragile items is choosing the right box. Once you’ve got a quality moving box, add some cushioning to the bottom by dropping in the crumpled-up newspaper. Then, wrap your artwork in bubble wrap and tape it securely. If you’re packing multiple pieces, it’s a good idea to have them facing each other. Add more newspaper for extra cushioning, and then tape the box closed and label it so you and your movers know that it’s fragile cargo.

Going away to college is exciting, but you need to have a plan for where you’ll store your things . If you are planning on going far away from home for your education, it can help to have a storage unit in Capitola, CA. College students tend to move quite a few times during their time on—and off—campus, and having storage options can be incredibly helpful. The summer can be especially tricky for college kids, so it’s usually a good idea to plan in advance. Here’s how students can solve summer storage problems with a temporary storage unit.

When you ship off for your freshman year in college, you’ll probably bring quite a bit of luggage with you. Although the sofa that you and your roommates have come to know and love is dear to your heart, it might not have a place at your parents’ house. In this case, a storage unit can be an excellent alternative. When you need a place for your furniture over the summer, your storage unit will be there. If you’re wondering what you can do with your college things over the summer, a storage unit may be the way to go.

You can keep just about anything you want in your storage unit in Santa Cruz, CA, but you should know what you’re getting into. A storage unit will keep your belongings safe as long as you store them properly. A storage unit can also be a great place to store your documents if you want to keep them safe, but not all storage units are equally trustworthy. Know who you’re working with, how to protect your documents, and when you can access them. Read on for more on what you need to know about keeping important papers in a storage unit.

Who You’re Working With

If you’re looking to store important papers, they should be in good shape when you come back to retrieve them. This is why you should do your research and make sure you work with a storage rental facility that you know you can trust. When you start looking for storage units, look through websites for each of your options. A quality storage rental facility will have an up to date website that details services, references, and company objectives.

How To Keep Your Papers Safe

The more important your documents are, the more important it is that you store them correctly. Keep in mind that, even in the most secure storage units, pests can be a problem. If you don’t want pests chewing through your documents, you’ll need to take extra care when you store them away in a temporary storage unit. Firstly, choose a storage rental company that knows what it takes to keep your documents safe. Then, pack your papers up securely in a legitimate moving box rather than an old grocery box.

When You Can Access Your Documents

You’ll need to get back to your important documents eventually, so you should know exactly when you’re able to do so. The right storage unit will afford you easy access to your documents, so you’ll never have to be away from them when you need them. Choose a storage unit that allows you to access your things as frequently as you need to.

Owning a small business can be extremely rewarding. If you need a little extra space for your things, a storage unit in Capitola, CA may be just what you’re looking for. A storage unit will make sure your clutter stays to a minimum, and it can be especially convenient if you’re moving to a new location. For a small business owner, a temporary storage unit will likely fit within your budget constraints as well. Please keep reading if you’d like to find out how a small business owner can benefit from having a storage unit.

Keeping Clutter Out

It can be difficult to conduct your daily business when you’re tripping over clutter, which is one reason why a storage unit can be so valuable to small business owners. Whether you’re drowning in paperwork or you have products that have yet to be moved, a temporary storage unit can be the perfect solution. When clutter gets especially bad, it can start to take over your office space, which spells bad news for employees and clients alike. Consider looking into a storage rental to clear up some of the clutter at your workplace.

Moving Your Business

As long as you play your cards right, your small business won’t always be a small business. This means that at some point, you’ll probably have to move to a bigger space. It’s helpful to have a storage unit when you get to this level. Moving can be stressful enough as it is, but a storage unit can be of help. Expanding can be great for your small business, and a storage unit can contain your documents and equipment while you’re in the process.

Freeing Up Your Finances

A storage unit is a great asset, and the best part is that it’s affordable. When you look into a storage unit rental, you can cut costs without cutting convenience. This means you’ll have a little bit of extra financial flexibility to take care of business, which is your main priority as a small business owner. A storage rental might be just what you need to keep business moving.

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.

There are plenty of factors to think about when you get ready to make a move, so it’s a good idea to start planning early on. Temporary storage in Capitola, CA can be helpful, especially if you’re planning on doing some downsizing before you head to your new space. You also want to keep your belongings safe and easily accessible, and a storage unit can help in this area as well. Here are 3 reasons to consider temporary storage when you’re moving.

1. Downsize Before the Move

When you’re preparing to move to a new location, you might want to take this time to get rid of some of your clutter. This is even more important if you’re going to be moving to a smaller space. Buy a couple of bins and take a walk around your house, looking for anything that doesn’t necessarily need to stay. Throw the things you definitely plan to get rid of in 1 box and some things you’re not sure about in another. Then you can donate what you don’t need, and you can take your “maybe” bin to your storage unit rental, which clears up space around the house and helps you stay focused on the move.

2. Protect Your Belongings

Moving can be a hectic process, so it’s nice to know that your important belongings are away from the chaos and not in any danger of being damaged. If you want to keep your stuff out of harm’s way, consider looking into a temporary storage unit. You can use this space to store your things while you gradually clear out your home during the move. A storage unit can be particularly effective if you plan on taking your time when moving to your new home.

3. Access Your Items

It’s important to keep your stuff protected, but what if you need to access it? With a temporary storage unit, you’ll be able to get back to your things whenever you need to. If you accidentally pack something that you meant to leave out, you won’t have any problem getting it back from your storage unit.