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Top Reasons to Rent a Mini Storage Unit
No matter where you live or how spacious your living area is, there are often reasons you could benefit from a storage unit in Capitola . These storage unit rentals help when you are in the middle of a move, trying to sell your house, or tired of tripping over your clutter. Here is a look at some of the top reasons to rent a mini storage unit.
If you are in the process of preparing to move to a new house, apartment, or living space, a mini storage unit may be just what you need to take some of the stress out of the equation. You may be considering getting rid of some of your belongings as you pack, so your storage unit can be used as a “maybe” pile until you have made a final decision. It also helps to have this space if you are moving to a smaller location. When you try to sell your house, it helps to stage the space with as little of your personal belongings as possible; this will help potential buyers envision themselves living there. Some people choose storage units because they would simply rather not deal with the clutter around their homes.
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Tips for Storing Artwork
Moving can sometimes be a hectic process so it is important to take the necessary steps to keep your move as stress-free as possible. This typically involves planning well in advance, packing your boxes efficiently and systematically, and renting a ground level storage unit at a self-storage facility in Capitola. It is important that your belongings remain in perfect condition when you come back to them, so read on to pick up a few tips on storing fragile items like artwork.
Storage Unit Conditions
One of the most important aspects of storing your belongings is finding the perfect storage facility. If you come across a storage facility that does nothing to control or even influence the temperature inside each unit, then you have not found the right place for your artwork. Oils and paints that you used to create a masterpiece may run and destroy your work if your storage unit is subjected to the summer heat. Changes in temperature and humidity can also cause your artwork to fade, warp, or discolor. Storing your work in a moist area may even lead to mold growth . Choose a storage unit that is temperature and climate controlled. You can also consider a windowless storage unit to protect your work from ultraviolet exposure.
Storing Framed Artwork
If you took the time to frame a piece of art, chances are you care about it quite a bit. Protect the corners of your frames with small pieces of cardboard and drape a blanket, sweater, or other protective material over the entire piece. Many stores that specialize in packing supplies will offer boxes specifically designed for storing framed artwork. Always stand your frames up on their ends rather than stack them on top of each other when you store them in a storage unit.
Storing Unframed Artwork
ot framed does not mean it should be rolled up. Instead, consider wrapping your work in glassine and taping a piece of cardboard or foam to either side. Protect your work from moisture and potential mold growth by trying it in a plastic bag before storing it in a sturdy box.
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Use this App to Get Ready for Your Move!
With the right tools, moving does not have to be as much of a hassle as you think it will. The Moving Day app available on iTunes gives you the help you need to easily organize your belongings so you can transport them to your new home or to your storage unit in Capitola .
This app makes it easy to catalog every item that you pack. It also has a built-in barcode scanning and label making system to keep you organized throughout every phase of the move. Find an easier way to identify damaged or missing items and create reports right from the app.
Whether you are bringing your belongings to a storage facility or to your new home, this app keeps you organized during the process. Download it before your next move to make it less stressful.
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Pack and Play: Make Packing Fun! [INFOGRAPHIC]
If you’re like most people, you can probably think of many things you’d rather do besides pack up your home and move. Whether you’re downsizing your home or moving out of your house to travel for a while, a self-storage unit in Capitola can help make the packing and moving process easier. Instead of dreading packing and putting it off until the last minute, consider the ways you can make the packing process fun. Invite a few friends over and have a packing party, giving everyone a small prize once individual rooms are completed. You can look at your moving truck or storage unit as a real-life Tetris game, contemplating each move to make the most of your space. Take a look at this infographic to find more ways of making packing fun instead of frustrating. Please share with your friends and family!
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Tips for Storing Wooden Furniture
Before you put your belongings into the self-storage facility in Capitola , you should take the time to find out the best way to keep them safe in the storage unit. Use this guide to store your wood furniture as safely as possible:
Take the Furniture Apart
If your wood furniture has any legs, headboards, or footboards, you should remove them before putting the pieces into the storage unit. Put the extra pieces like screws or drawer handles into labeled plastic bags so you can easily find them when you are ready to put the furniture back together. You should also clean and wax all of your wood to give it an extra barrier of protection against drying out. Put the furniture far away from the door of the storage unit just in case it rains.
Wrap Your Furniture
You should also wrap all of your wood furniture in plastic or shrink wrap. The wrap protects the furniture from dust, rodents, and bugs like termites. It also gives you an extra barrier of protection between the air in the room and the furniture to prevent it from drying out and warping. Covering the furniture reduces the risk for scratching it as you move it into the storage unit.
Find the Right Arrangement in the Storage Unit
If you want to keep your furniture safe, you should also spend some time arranging it the right way in your storage unit. Try to leave a clear path where you can safely walk to get all of the items in your unit. Do not store anything heavy on top of your wood furniture.
Keep It Moisturized
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The Benefits of Mini Storage
Storage facilities near Capitola give you plenty of storage options so you can find the right one for your needs. If you are trying to figure out what to do with some of your belongings to free up space in your home or office, keep reading to find out why you should consider mini storage:
Mini storage gives you a safe and spacious place in which to store belongings until you can find room for them on your own property. Whether you are planning a move or you have downsized to a smaller home, these storage units make it easy to keep track of your belongings.
Mini storage facilities give you affordable storage options that you can use to clear up space. If clutter is starting to overtake your life, mini storage provides a safe and effective way to get these items out of the way without the need to completely throw them out.
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Guidelines for Packing Storage Boxes
If you want to make the most of your storage unit rental in Capitola , you should take the time to properly pack all of your boxes. Use the following guidelines to properly pack the boxes that you plan to put into your storage unit:
Get a Few Different Sizes of Boxes
When it comes to packing, every box is not created equally. You should put heavier items like books into smaller boxes so they are easy to carry. Put light items like pillows or clothing into larger boxes. When you use the right size boxes for your belongings, it makes it much easier to move your cartons around in the storage unit. When you put the boxes into storage, do not place heavy items on top of lighter boxes.
Try to Place Similar Items Together
It will be easier to keep your storage unit organized if you place similar items into the same box. If you are storing items from a few different rooms, for example, place the kitchen items into one box and the bedroom items into a different box.
Make a Master List
You should always create a master list for your boxes so you know exactly where everything is. Label each box with a number or a letter and create a list that describes everything that is packed into a specific box. Whether you have five boxes or fifty, this system makes it easy to keep your storage unit organized so it can be as efficient as possible. Write “fragile” on any boxes that have breakables so anyone who moves them knows to be careful.
Use Helpful Packing Materials
Packing materials help you pack your boxes more efficiently. You can use packing paper or bubble wrap to protect fragile items. You can also use these materials to fill in any extra spaces in the boxes so your items do not shift around inside. Packing tape helps you secure the cartons so the boxes do not open when you move them.
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Getting Your Clothing Ready for Mini Storage
If you are planning to put clothing in your self-storage unit in Capitola , it is important to pack it properly. Stock up on wardrobe boxes and suitcase that will keep your clothing clean and protected while it is in the storage unit.
Gather together clothes on hangers and use twist-ties to secure them together. Cover the bunch with an oversized garbage bag and hang it in your wardrobe box. You can place shoes and other accessories in a sturdy bag that you place at the bottom of the wardrobe box.
Put folded clothes into luggage and use dryer sheets to keep them smelling fresh. Get more great packing tips in this video.
How to Pack Clothing for a Move
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Preparing a Sofa for Storage
Before you place your sofa into a self-storage facility in Capitola , it is important to properly prepare the furniture. Use the following tips to get your sofa ready for storage so it remains in the exact condition in which you left it:
Find the Right Storage Facility
It is important to take your time choosing a storage facility that will give you the space and the security that you need to properly store your items. Look for a facility with units that are easily accessible so you can get to your sofa when you need it. You should also look for versatile storage units that are big enough to hold your furniture until you are ready to pick it up.
Clean and Dry the Sofa
Spend some time cleaning the upholstery with a safe cleaner. Make sure all of the cushions are dry before you attempt to move the furniture to the storage unit. You should also spend some time polishing the wood or metal parts. If you put a clean sofa into the storage unit and store it properly, it will come out in the same condition.
Remove Extra Parts
If your sofa has removable legs or other parts that might get lost in transit, you should take them off before you move the sofa. Store them in a bag or a box that you can put with the furniture in the storage unit. If you think that the parts will get damaged in the bag, you can wrap them individually in bubble wrap or packing paper.
Put the Sofa into Storage
You should place some pallets down on the floor of the storage unit and cover them with a protective layer of plastic. Put the sofa onto this makeshift platform to ensure that it does not touch the walls or the floor of the unit. You can use a cotton drop cloth or another kind of sheet to cover the sofa and protect it from dust while it is in storage.
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Choosing Your Storage Solution
There are a few kinds of high-quality storage units in Capitola that will give you the space to store your belongings. Use the following tips to choose the right storage solutions for your needs:
A self-storage facility provides units of all sizes to help you get the right kind of storage for your needs. Before you start the search for a unit, you should decide what you want to store. Once you know how much space you will need, you can talk to the staff at the storage facility about the units that they have available.
You might want to opt for a self-storage unit that is a little bigger than you need. This gives you extra space to store more of your belongings in the future. You should choose a unit in a facility that has good security features and an attentive staff so you can be sure your belongings will be in their original condition when you go to pick them up.
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Factors to Consider When Choosing a Storage Unit
The right self-storage unit in Capitola gives you the extra space you need to store items at an off-site location. When you are on the hunt for the perfect storage unit, you should consider the following factors to make sure you get exactly what you need:
Facility Access
One of the most important factors of your storage unit search is accessibility. You want to find a facility that makes it easy to get to your unit. You should also look for a company that only has units on the ground level to ensure that you can move your items in and out of your unit with ease.
Security Features
It is also important to find a secure facility where you can store your items. Be sure that any storage facility that you choose has a high security fence and an attentive staff who will protect your items. An automatic gate with an electronic keypad provides optimal security for a facility. Talk to the staff at the storage center to find out what kind of security features they have before you agree to store your belongings with them.
The Condition of the Grounds
When you visit a storage facility, make sure to take a look around the property to see if everything looks clean and orderly. If the staff takes the time to clean the property, it shows you that they care about the image that they project and will do what they can to give you the best service possible. You should also ask to view your unit before you place your belongings inside to ensure that it is clean enough for your needs.
Fees and Requirements
Some storage facilities have specific requirements like minimum stays and extra fees that they tack on after you agree to store your belongings with them. Take the time to talk to the staff to make sure your storage facility does not have fees and requirements like this before you sign your contract.
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Taping Boxes for Storage
If you want your belongings to stay safe and secure while they are stored in a storage facility in Capitola, you will need to pack them properly. Watch this video clip if you would like to learn about the process of taping boxes for storage.
How to Tape Moving Boxes
Storage boxes are a must when it comes to moving to a new home or keeping some of your belongings in a storage unit rental. It is important to fill your boxes to the top in order to keep your items safe and prevent boxes from crushing each other or caving in over time. Start by folding the smaller bottom flaps in and then the larger flaps over them, then tape the large seam that is created. After that, tape the two smaller seams closed and repeat the process on the top of the box. For heavier loads, add reinforcement tape in an “X” shape across the top and bottom.
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Signs You Should Use a Self Storage Unit
Your home may provide feelings of safety, relaxation, and stress reduction, but a messy abode may have the opposite effect. If it feels like it has been a long time since you have actually seen your floor, it may be time to look into storage units in Capitola. Continue reading to take a look at a couple of signs that you could use a self storage unit.
Lack of Home Storage Space
When you move into your first house, apartment, or living space, you may not be bringing much with you. However, you will collect new belongings over time, and sometimes it gets to the point where you start running out of room for everything. If upgrading to a bigger home is not something you had in mind for the near-future, a self-storage facility may be the optimal solution. Your closets might be overflowing with so much of your stuff that you cannot hang up your jacket when you get home from work, or your garage may be occupied by everything but your car. If your home storage spaces are at full capacity , consider moving some of your belongings into a self-storage unit.
Unused Items
You may be wondering which items should stay in your home and which ones should be packed up and labeled so they can be brought down to the storage facility. It is a good idea to consider how often you use the items you come across; impractical belongings or those that you only use from time to time can probably be stored in your storage unit instead of taking up valuable space at home. Holiday decorations are particularly seasonal, so if it is not time to put up the tree or set out the menorah, consider keeping them in storage rather than back in the closet or the garage.
Agonizing Clutter
Maximizing your home storage space is one thing, but if your belongings are flooding your entire house and preventing you from finding a seat on the couch, look into a storage unit. This will alleviate the stress that often comes along with excess clutter.
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Tips for Using the Right Packing Material
The proper packing materials will help to keep your belongings from sustaining accidental damage when you choose to use a storage unit in Capitola or move to a new location. Use the wrong materials, however, and you may arrive at your self storage unit to find that your boxes have toppled over and crushed some of your belongings. Keep reading to make sure you are using the right packing materials.
One of the most important elements of successful packing is the acquisition of sturdy storage boxes. Grocery store boxes may be free and easily accessible, but they will not necessarily provide the structural integrity you need. You will also need strong packing tape that will keep the boxes closed; this allows you to stack boxes on top of each other comfortably. Avoid scotch tape, masking tape, and duct tape in favor of packing tape because it is designed specifically for this purpose and is better equipped to keep your boxes sealed. It is also important to make sure that there is no empty space within your boxes. You can do this by filling in any vacancies with packing paper or bubble wrap.
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How to Organize Your Belongings for Storage
A self-storage facility in Capitola can be very helpful if you are going to be moving or if you simply need to clear up some space around your house. However, the way you store your belongings is directly related to the ease with which you will locate them again once they are in your storage unit rental. Keep reading if you would like a few tips on how to organize your belongings for storage.
Acquire Supplies
If you want your belongings to be safe and secure while they are stored in a self-storage facility, it is important to pack them appropriately. In order to do so, you must acquire the right kinds of supplies for your belongings. Look for a few sturdy moving boxes in varying sizes as well as packing materials like bubble wrap or packing paper to take up any unused space within them; this will prevent your belongings from moving around within the boxes and potentially becoming damaged. You will also likely need a substantial amount of packing tape in order to keep all of your boxes sealed shut. The right packing supplies can help you keep your belongings safe, organized, and easily accessible when you visit the storage facility.
Pack by Room
In addition to packing your belongings in sturdy boxes, it helps to pack similar items together. Take a walk through your house and identify which items in each room will be going to your storage unit. Pack all of your kitchen items in one box and then pack items from your living room in another; repeat this process for each room in the home. This will help you keep track of where you packed everything. If you are going through a box and looking for a certain item, coming across something similar lets you know you are looking in the right place.
Label Your Boxes
If you would rather not rummage through your boxes at the storage facility, label everything. Attach lists to each box that detail the contents so that you know which box you should look in before you even open it.
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Packing Fragile Items
When packing glassware, dishes, and other fragile items, take extra care to ensure these items are not damaged or destroyed in transit or while sitting in your Capitola self-storage unit . To pack fragile items like the pros, start by layering a compact box with packing peanuts. Next, wrap each fragile item individually in bubble wrap. Fill up any empty space in the box with crumped newspaper or packing paper. Finally, seal the box with packing tape and mark the box “fragile”. Watch this video to see these steps in action.
How To Pack and Move Fragile Items
Visit your local storage facility in Capitola to find all of the materials you need to safely pack and store your fragile items. An experienced storage facility manager can give you additional tips and tricks to make sure your items arrive at the self-storage unit in perfect condition—or at least the same condition they were when you packed them.
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What You Shouldn’t Put in a Self-Storage Unit
Renting a self-storage unit in Capitola is a great way to clear up space around your home and keep your belongings safe, secure, and organized. However, not everything you own is suitable for self-storage. While some items are prohibited because they pose a safety hazard, other items are not recommended for storage to prevent damage and loss. Your storage facility manager will provide you with a list of allowable items to make sure you are not violating any rules or endangering your fellow storage users. In the meantime, this list will provide a general overview of items that you should avoid putting in storage.
Perishable Food Items
Food items that are perishable such as meat, cheese, flour, cereals, and unsealed items should not be kept in storage, even a climate-controlled storage unit. Perishable food items can spoil very quickly in storage. The smell of rotting food products can ruin your belongings and make life very unpleasant for storage facility employees and other storage users.
Anything Illegal
Illegal items are still illegal in storage. Narcotics, stolen merchandise, and unregistered firearms are some of the common illegal items seized from storage units. If and when the storage facility finds out that you have illegal items in storage, the first phone call will be to the police.
Hazardous Materials
Hazardous materials such as volatile chemicals, radioactive materials, and toxic substances cannot be store in a facility that cares for other people’s belongings. Given the unstable and destructive nature of most hazardous materials, they pose a great risk to all of the belongings in a storage facility—not just your own.
Living Things
It may seem like common sense, but animals should never be kept in a storage unit, even if you plan to keep food and water in the unit. Although plants are allowed in most storage units, you are advised to store them elsewhere to prevent wilting.
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Insuring Your Items in Storage
Just because your extra stuff is out of sight doesn’t mean it should be out of mind. To protect yourself against total property loss in the event of a fire, flooding, or theft, check with your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance provider about self-storage insurance. You can also check with different storage facilities in Capitola about tenant insurance, which is usually offered for a minimal monthly fee that is combined with your rental fee for one easy payment each month. This small investment can pay huge dividends if your belongings are damaged, destroyed, or stolen.
If you have any questions at all about self-storage insurance, talk to an experienced storage facility manager in Capitola. Even with an insurance policy, you can never be too careful with your belongings. That’s why it’s important that you choose a secure storage facility and always make sure to close and lock your unit’s roll-up door.
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Frequently Ask Questions About Self Storage
If you have a lot of stuff, you probably have to sacrifice a lot of valuable space in your home for storage. Fortunately, there is a safe, affordable, and convenient alternative to storing your belongings at home. A self-storage unit is a storage space that you may rent on a monthly basis in order to store your personal belongings. If you’d like to more about renting a storage unit in Capitola, start with these frequently asked questions and then contact a storage facility manager in your area to determine what size unit you need.
Can I Store Anything in My Unit?
As a general rule, any item or material that is considered inherently dangerous will not be allowed in your storage unit. The most common examples of such items include gasoline, compressed gas, propane tanks, chemicals, narcotics, and products containing asbestos. Your storage facility manager will provide you a complete list of allowable items.
When Can I Access My Belongings?
You will be able to access your storage unit anytime while the gate is open. When comparing storage facilities in Capitola, look at the gate hours so you know which facilities offer the most convenient access. At Independence Storage, for example, the gate is open every day of the week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for your convenience.
Are My Belongings Safe in Storage?
The safety and security of your belongings depend on the storage facility you choose. For greater peace of mind, choose a gated storage facility with an electronic keypad entry and on-site managers. You should also keep a strong padlock on your self-storage unit for added security.
How do I Pick My Size?
To make sure you don’t pay for more space than you need, and that you don’t run out of space on move-in day, carefully consider the size of the unit you select. The best way to determine your space requirements is to make a list of the items you plan to store and bring the list to an experienced storage facility manager in Capitola.
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Signs of a Quality Storage Facility
There are many reasons to move your items into a self-storage facility. You may be preparing to move, traveling overseas, or simply trying to organize your belongings. To ensure that you have a great storage experience, be sure to rent a unit at a highly rated self-storage facility in Capitola .
There are many signs of a quality facility that you should look for. For example, look for a secure storage facility that offers surveillance, gated entrances, and fences. High-quality storage facilities also provide ground-floor units that are easily accessible. For a closer look at all of the top signs of a quality storage facility, be sure to check out this video clip.
4 Signs of a Quality Storage Facility
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