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Protecting Items In Storage

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Using a drop cover for protecting storage items

Protecting Items for Storage

You’ve made the decision to place your items in storage and now that you have everything
ready go, here are some simple tips to protect what you are storing:

Confounded Condensation
Depending on the weather extremes and humidity in your area, it is possible for condensation
to build up on your stored goods which can cause water and mold damage. A good option to
avoid damage from prolonged moisture exposure is to put a plastic drop sheet on the floor of
your storage unit before placing items in the unit. Using pallets to put your belongings on is
even better, especially if you are storing goods for longer periods of time. Also, leave some
‘breathing space’ (about two finger widths) between stacked items so fresh air circulates
between your belongings.

If your furniture has had its issues already before storage, https://kleenway.ca/residential/residential-upholstery-cleaning specializes in green friendly residential upholstery cleaning.

Don’t Over Stack
When placing boxed items in storage, the temptation is to stack as high as you can reach. Boxes
are only designed to take so much weight and over time might give way under the stress of
over stacking. This can result in entire stacks toppling over. If the items in those boxes are
fragile… well, you get the point. You also need to consider your safety. For this reason, stacks
should only go as high as your natural reach…or the natural reach of the shortest adult
accessing the storage.

Man with moving boxes

Protect Your Belongings

Dreaded Dust
Nobody wants to open their unit and find that everything inside is now dust covered. All that
cleaning you did to prepare your goods for storage has been potentially wasted – and let’s face
it: dust is inevitable. So why not use a couple of inexpensive plastic drop sheets to help protect
your items? Drop sheets should be draped loosely around items to encourage air flow but offer
protection from fine dust.

By using these three tips, your stored goods should remain intact, dry and dust free. Be sure to
check out the retail items available for purchase at our locations to assist with your packing needs. We are here to help you through every step
of your rental process.
You can access more information on our blog site such as the importance of cleaning before you store, as well as make use of our handy
storage calculator to determine the correct unit size for your needs.
Ron Heizelman – Site Manager, MHS

Preparing Belongings For Storage

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Getting yourself prepared for self storage

Preparing Your Belongings For Storage

Before you pack your belongings into storage, you need to get them ready. From cleaning to taking inventory, here’s how to best prepare.

Purge

If you haven’t used something in a while or no longer want an item don’t waste money storing it. Sell it or donate it to someone who will make better use of the item.

Clean everything that’s going into storage

Before you put things into storage make sure they are clean. Why is this important? If you store something while it’s dirty, it’s only going to be worse for wear when you unpack it two, four, or twelve months later. Over time things that are stored dirty can acquire a musty smell, and stains can damage fabrics. A thorough cleaning will ensure that items don’t deteriorate while in storage.

Pro tips:

  • Wash clothes and linens then store them in plastic bags to prevent mold and mildew.
  • Vacuum out the crevasses and wipe all furnishings then use an appropriate protective spray on leather and fabric upholstery. Wax wood furniture.
  • Wipe the inside and outside of appliances. If applicable, run a final wash cycle with vinegar. If you are storing a washer, make sure all tanks and hoses are drained. For fridges and freezers add a moisture absorbent substance like charcoal to help prevent odors. You can reach out to local appliance companies as well for info. https://www.bc-appliance.ca/
  • Wipe all sporting goods and kids’ toys including plush toys. Store plush toys in plastic bags.

 

Inventory what you’re storing

Person taking inventory for self storage

Be prepared by doing an inventory first

While you are cleaning your belongings, write down what’s going to be stored. Why is this important? An inventory will help you determine what size storage unit you need and how to organize that storage unit.

Pro tips:

  • Our storage calculator web page allows you to enter an inventory of your belongings and calculates what size storage unit you need. You can also email this list to yourself right from our storage calculator page.
  • Add a brief description including the item’s brand, serial number, model number, and if there is any damage to your inventory list.
  • Email a copy of your inventory list to your property insurance agent and advise them that you are putting these items into storage. This will help ensure that you have coverage for these possession’s and speed up the claims process should disaster make this necessary.

 

Make sure you get the right size of storage unit

Our easy-to-use storage calculator does the math for you. Once you’ve entered an inventory of your possessions into the calculator the graph on the right side of this web page tells you what size storage unit you need. You can then go ahead and book your storage unit either by clicking on the Rent Now button on our website, or if you need help you can call us and talk to someone in our office.

Screen shot of calculator page

Using our self storage calculator

Pro tip:

  • Right now, we are experiencing high demand for storage units and have a waiting list for many sizes. Renting online allows you to quickly see and rent any size that is available. This is kind of like a gamer’s cheat code for self-storage. If the size you want isn’t available don’t give up. People come and go from self-storage units daily. So, call our office and get on the waitlist right away.

Now you will need to pack your belongings. How you pack an item determines how well it survives a move, storage and then being unpacked. Watch for our next blog — How to pack your belongings like a pro so they are in good condition when you take them out of storage.

How Self Storage can help during a new build or a renovation

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Is it time to add a little sparkle to your home? Are you planning to renovate? Homeowners plan to do some sort of renovations in their life time.

Doesn’t everyone dream about getting a fresh new look.  When it comes to renovation, we don’t talk about the stress that goes with it. We don’t talk about – the mess, people coming and going and where are we going to put everything. Regardless of what is being redone we can make your renovations a breeze.  Nobody ever thinks about self storage. Don’t we just throw it in the other room and figure it out later? Read more

The Truth about Your New Year’s Resolution to Get Organized

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It’s hard to keep our New Year’s resolutions. In fact, now that it’s the end of January those New Year’s resolutions may already be in the review mirror. Was one of those resolutions to get organized and stay organized? There’s a lot we pack into each year, and for that reason a nebulous goal of “getting organized and staying organized” may be hard to achieve. Don’t give up! Here are some smaller goals that are easy to achieve that will help you reach that ultimate goal of being organized. Read more

Organizing Your Self Storage Unit

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The trailer is packed and you’ve signed your lease for your new storage unit. Now comes the fun part; Unloading. How do you pack your unit so you are able to find everything when the need arises? Here are 5 tips for organizing your storage unit to make this chore stress free come moving day.

  1. Labels. Always label your boxes – if you’re putting a variety of items in them try to add a description. This will help you organize your unit into sections. Use a brightly colored label & stack your boxes or totes with the label facing the front, so that you will be able to find things quickly in your unit.
  2. Regularly Used Items in Front. Pack the items that you will be using most towards the front of your unit. This will prevent you from having to move any extras away so you can reach them when the time comes. This includes items like seasonal wear, sports equipment, Christmas décor etc.
  3. Leave an aisle. One of the most common mistakes when storing is not leaving any room to get to the items in the back of your unit. The last thing you want to do is come to grab a box and have to move all your items out to get to it. Leave an aisle down the middle of the unit so that you’re able to reach most, if not all boxes and items.
  4. Take Pictures. When all of your items are loaded into your storage unit, take a few pictures so that you know what is in the unit and where to find it. This will save you time when you get to your unit and is especially important if you are storing long term.
  5. Draw a Map. Even if you’ve taken pictures it’s good to draw a map of where your belongings are, especially the important items that you do not use often. This will make your visit shorter if you know where these are packed away. This may include family photo albums, jewelry, tax files etc.

Using these 5 tips will not only save you time when you visit your storage unit but it will also reduce the mess you would have to make when searching through boxes to find a specific item. Have you stored before? Let us know your organizing tips in the comments below!

— Kayla Akerstrom

Organizing? Don’t Forget the Essential First Step

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“Both terms get bandied about when talking about tidying up your home, but organizing and clutter clearing are two very different things. Clearing clutter is actually removing items from your space, while organizing is putting what’s left in order. Here’s why you need to do both to have a space that feels good and functions efficiently, plus tips on which stage comes first and what to remember at each stage in the process. ”

 

Organizing Your Garage

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This could be the year you take back your garage and use it for a work shop or even to park your own car!

Garage spaces large and small, often become the dumping ground for anything removed from the house and yard. These can be items that you are not willing to part with, or perhaps seasonal things you are only going to use once a year. Read more

Downsizing: What To Keep

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The thought of downsizing makes me nervous, what do I keep and what about my sentimental items? Many of us have been living in the same place for a long period of time and have accumulated so much. It’s tough to know what you should take with you and what needs to go, making this task discouraging.

Read more

WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM
CUSTOMERS WHO ARE HAPPY
WITH THEIR SELF-STORAGE
EXPERIENCE

I’ve always had wonderful service. I appreciate it. You have went above and beyond.

Medicine Hat Storage has generously donated 2 full storage units to the Canadian Cancer Society! Each time I am at Medicine Hat Storage, picking up our materials, I am greeted with a warm and friendly smile!

We are so grateful for the continued generosity and support of Medicine Hat Storage as it allows for the Canadian Cancer Society to still have an active presence in the Medicine Hat community by allowing us to store supplies and materials, with easy access!

This company and the people who work here have always been friendly, courteous and professional.

The staff at Medicine Hat Storage really work hard at making their customers feel part of the family. I really appreciate what they provide for the continuation and growth of my business.

Medicine Hat Storage

3183 Gershaw Drive SW
Medicine Hat, Alberta T1B 3N1

(877) 415-6576

Drayton Valley Storage

7315 Township Road 490
Drayton Valley, Alberta T7A 2A2

(877) 514-7525

Lacombe Storage Center

4014 52 Avenue Lacombe
Alberta T4L 2J7

(855) 795-8584