Moving things to a storage unit seems straightforward, but many small details can trip you up. Whether doing it yourself or hiring help, a good plan can save you from headaches later. You might find the storage unit too small after you start moving things in, or your...
If you are thinking about getting a self-storage unit for your stuff, chances are you are wondering how you can make sure you get a good deal. Storage unit prices can vary widely depending on where you live, ranging as low as $22.54 a month for a 5x5 unit on average...
Have you ever rummaged through a tangled mess of necklaces, only to find your favorite one tarnished and dull? Proper jewelry storage is the secret to keeping your precious pieces sparkling and ready to wear. This guide will unveil the secrets to organizing, cleaning,...
It’s a typical Saturday, and you’re knee-deep in your child’s room, in what could only be described as a sea of tiny clothes, well-loved toys and countless drawings. Every corner is infused with memories and you have to decide their fate. Now, shift the scene. You’re...
You’re excited to revisit cherished memories or check on your business stock, stored safely away. But as the storage unit door rolls up, you’re greeted by an unwelcome sight and stench — mold. Wondering how to keep a storage unit mold-free? From spotting mold on...
Every year, it’s a paperwork tsunami for businesses and healthcare providers — we’re talking about everything from invoices to patient files and even tax forms. Yet, something vital is still quite easy to miss: keeping those paper documents safe. This may sound like a...
So, you’ve invested in some quality camping gear, huh? Nice! But let’s get real: What’s the best way to store camping gear? A drenched tent or moldy sleeping bag is nobody’s idea of fun on a camping trip. And rummaging for that one utensil? Maddening! Camping storage...
Got a painting that means the world to you? Or maybe a collection that is growing bigger by the day? You can’t just shove them in a closet and hope for the best. Storing artwork the wrong way is a ticket to heartbreak. So, how do you pack artwork for storage and how...
Beep, bop, boop! No, we aren’t talking to our robot friends, but those might be the sad sounds of your electronics if not properly packed and stored. In a world filled to the brim with gadgets and gizmos, figuring out how to organize electronics and understanding how...
Ever wondered how to store clothes long term without compromising their quality and freshness? The answer lies in proper packing and storage. This, however, is no small feat — it is an art that, when mastered, can keep your wardrobe in pristine condition, season after...
When you need extra space for your belongings, a storage facility is a flexible, convenient storage solution. But what if you need extra space, and access to electricity? Then you need a storage unit with an electrical outlet. Do Storage Units Have Outlets?...
It’s a common occurrence with television shows: they romanticize something like flipping a house or what goes on with a storage unit auction when the reality is far from perfect. If you’re a fan of shows like Storage Wars or Auction Hunters, then you may be thinking a...
Gun ownership is an American pastime that can bring a sense of security, a source of sustenance, or simply a way to recreate outdoors with friends and family. But there are risks too. Responsible gun owners like you know the importance of educating yourself about the...
Televisions are some of the trickiest items to store inside a self-storage unit. If you don’t know how to store a TV, this guide can help. The reason televisions are hard to store is because they are often the size of furniture and appliances, but they’re much less...
Garage organization is an important way to have enough room for your vehicle, tools, and other items, while still being able to find things when you need them. But if your garage is a little chaotic right now, and you haven't gone through it in a while, you might feel...
Whether you're protecting your outdoor cushions from chilly winter weather or you want to keep them from being damaged by the summer sun, knowing how to store your cushions is essential. Proper storage will enhance the value of your patio furniture and won't add much...
Whether you are looking to box up your photo collection for a self-storage unit, put them away in a basement or attic, or box them up for a move, you want to make sure your photos will be properly preserved and protected from damage. From handling them with care to...
When fall and winter are right around the corner, it means it’s almost time to break out those heavy coats and sweaters you squirreled away in March. Here’s hoping you stored them in the right container. Picking the right container to store your seasonal clothing can...
It’s no secret. Americans have a lot of stuff. Whether you’re moving or need more room for your ever growing pile of possessions, there are times when finding some extra storage space is essential. You may drive past a storage facility every day on your way to work,...
A refrigerator is one of the most common appliances that people need to put inside of a self-storage unit. Luckily, storing a fridge is relatively straightforward, but it’s important to take the necessary precautions to avoid contamination from mold, undesirable...
As important as strong boxes and packing materials are to any move, choosing the wrong kind of tape for your move can be a disaster. Tape failure during transit, storage or packing can result in intense frustration, expensive breakage, lost time and money, compromised...
When it comes to all the things you might need to store, nothing is quite as precious, and extraordinarily delicate, as your book collection. A person’s book collection offers a glimpse into their soul. Many consider the tomes upon their bookshelf to be a deeply...
Batteries are unsung heroes. While we turn to them to power everything from flashlights to remote controls to cars, we think about them only when they need to be replaced. If you have batteries that you’re not using, you want to make sure that you know where they are...
There is nothing quite like having a large outdoor living space and filling it with outdoor furniture. Patio furniture creates a space for you to comfortably enjoy the natural sights and sounds of your own yard. But when winter weather hits, will your plastic...
Everybody needs a good night's sleep. If you plan to sleep well after your move, it is important that you store your mattress correctly. Improperly stored, your mattress can become lumpy and uncomfortable. Keep reading to learn how to store a mattress the correct way....
Some self-storage contracts spell out terms in plain language while others might leave you utterly confused. It’s smart to brush up on lease agreements before you sign on the dotted line. “If a manager is doing his or her job, there shouldn’t be any surprises,” said...
Planning a move involves juggling a lot of tasks – and it’s not easy. “Almost 100 percent of customers that come to us reiterate that moving is really hard,” said Emma Gordon, storage specialist at Clutter, an on demand storage company. Storing some or all of your...
With all of the excitement surrounding your wedding day, it’s easy to get so caught up in the planning that you ignore one important post-wedding detail—what to do with the wedding gown after the big day. “The gown is a lovely keepsake and associated with a very...
Whether you’re wearing a hat to support your team, show off at a Kentucky Derby party or complement an everyday outfit, it’s important to store the hat properly after you take it off. While your clothes and shoes may hold up to some pretty harsh treatment, hats often...
When a tornado, hurricane or other disaster strikes, there may be little—or no—time to visit a grocery store. And while storing food to prepare for natural disasters is key, keeping a supply for other unexpected events, such as a job loss, also can help prevent a...
Before you stash another box in your garage, think twice. That's because the extreme heat, humidity, and fluctuating temperatures in garages tend to wreak havoc on items. If you don't have space inside your house, you might take certain belongings to a storage unit...
Even though handbags play an important role in our daily lives, many people fail to store them correctly—whether at home between uses or in a self-storage unit for long-term storage. If the number of your handbags has grown from just a few to a full blown purse...
Not only is comic book collecting fun for enthusiasts, there’s a robust market for used comic books on sites like eBay. However, if your comic books aren’t in good condition, you could be missing out on money, according to Robert Scott, owner of Comickaze Comics Books...
If you’re like many Americans, all of your stuff doesn’t fit into your home. Whether you’re drowning in clothes, books or memorabilia, self-storage lets you keep your belongings without sacrificing the roominess of your home. With self-storage, you rent extra space,...
You love paying income taxes, right? If you answer yes to that question, then you need to have your head examined. No one I know loves to see taxes deducted from their paychecks. No matter where you move in the U.S., there is no avoiding federal taxes. Unless you...
A storage condo is pretty much exactly what it sounds like—it is a storage unit that you own. Just like a residential condominium, a storage condominium is a piece of real estate that you own. Each storage condo unit is part of a complex that has some shared...
If your shoe collection has been growing over the years, but your short-term storage is getting a little cramped, it may be time to consider some long-term shoe storage solutions. Here are some storage tips so you can give your collection of kicks the care and space...
There's a reason why so many Grandmas use cast iron cookware: they love you and they want to cook you the most delicious food possible. But if you've ever been scolded by someone for improperly handling their cast iron skillet, you may be reluctant to purchase one for...
You may not think much about your cables until they break or stop working. Learning how to care for your cables will prolong their useful life and save you the frustration of frequently replacing them. When you’re packing for a move or traveling, it’s tempting to just...
by Raymond Rangel When people talk about the secure storage of media today we are usually talking about how to digitally store media in the cloud; however, there is still a large group of individuals and businesses who prefer to store information on physical tapes and...
For kids, the excitement of Halloween is often two-fold: they get to dress up and then go trick-or-treating. The aftermath, however, is often just as important. The right strategies will allow favorite Halloween costumes to be passed on to younger siblings, used in...
Updated November 21, 2022 Whether it’s pool toys, a playhouse, sports equipment or giant legos, outdoor toys are a staple of summertime fun. But what happens to those treasured toys in your backyard when the cold weather arrives? After all, the fall also welcomes...
Whether you have an original Xbox, the latest Playstation, or a well-played Game Boy, maintaining video game systems requires a bit of work. If you keep some of your favorite games in storage during a move or set aside a console while waiting for a newer version of a...
With many airlines in the U.S. and worldwide grounding the Boeing 737 MAX for an indeterminate time in 2019 due to safety concerns, hundreds of the planes remain in long-term storage until commercial airlines clear them to resume flying. The family of 737 aircraft...
If you’re like a lot of students who are packing up to return to college, you’re probably wondering how you accumulated so much stuff. Thinking of ignoring the issue? Just keep in mind that packing too much before you head off to school can set you up for some ongoing...
If you purchase precious metals like gold or silver bullion, the next - and most critical - step is to keep it safe. "It doesn't take long when buying precious metals, rare coins, or bullion before you realize that you need a better storage solution than the back of...
Falling victim to a burglary is always devastating, but having your possessions stolen from a self-storage unit usually comes as a complete shock. But is self-storage burglary actually a big problem and are customers facing a greater crime risk than they were...
Whether you have a treasured painting that has been in the family for generations or a modern piece you snagged at your favorite gallery, moving and storing any work of art is a delicate task. Fingerprints, dirt and rough handling can quickly ruin a beautiful canvas....
The use of 3D printers has gone beyond manufacturing and has become increasingly common in homes. From hobbyists to work-at-home entrepreneurs, these remarkable machines seem to create physical items out of thin air. In reality, the items are printed using filaments...
You’ve picked the perfect Bordeaux and you’ve let it age for a couple of years (or maybe just a couple of days—we’re not judging). But when you open the bottle of wine, you’re disappointed. The problem might have more to do with your wine storage technique than your...
The onesie he wore home from the hospital. The gown she was christened in. The baby blanket that soothed away the tears. Parents yearn to store baby clothing in the hopes that one day their little angel might have an angel of their own, or sometimes they may just want...
If you want to hang on to a rug you’ll need later, or simply don’t have the room for a prized shag at the moment, storing it can be a solid solution. But if you don't store them with care, you can end up destroying your beloved collection of floor coverings. “I have...
If you’ve got kids who play sports, then you probably have lots of balls, pads, helmets, uniforms and other equipment that needs to be organized and stored. While you want to make sure that the gear doesn’t take over your home, you also want to eliminate the stress of...
Nobody wants to roll open their storage unit door to find holes gnawed in Grandma's wedding dress, bed bugs infesting the sofa and cockroaches scuttling through boxes. Storage units full of cardboard, upholstery, cracks and crevices scream "home" for rodents and...
While stamps, coins, and comic books are some of the most popular items to collect, there’s a whole other world of collectibles out there – from vintage ukuleles to banana peels. Here are four unique collectors who share their stories about the stuff that drives them,...
Family bibles are heirlooms that provide tangible connections to family roots and key clues in genealogy research, so it's crucial to store them properly to preserve the past. Most family Bibles contain careful handwritten records of important family events, including...
The holidays will soon be here and that means dinner parties, holiday potlucks and big family gatherings. It also means bringing out the special holiday dinnerware, crystal wine glasses, and yes, the turkey roasting pan. You know--the items that you only use once a...
When your first bundle of joy arrives, so does a bundle of stuff, from baby carriers to strollers to cute little booties. As your firstborn gets bigger, you have a decision to make: do you sock these goods away for baby number two? What if you aren't sure about having...
If you're getting ready to relocate and want to take your hot tub with you, you'll need to take certain steps to prevent damage. "Moving a hot tub of any size is no easy task," says Dustin Montgomery, digital marketing specialist for Shippers Supplies. Follow these...
So you have a Keurig coffee maker and all those wonderful little K-Cups. Seemingly hundreds of those little K-Cups. It's great, all those different flavors to enjoy – but how do you store the things? And how long will they keep? There are “best by” dates on the sides...
While displaying your trophy wall mounts can be a source of pride, a cross-country move or house renovation may lead to setting them aside for a period of time. To make sure you're storing the prized pieces in a safe way, use common sense, recommended Dale Manning,...
Did your grandma used to store her face cream in the fridge? Weird, right? Unless it wasn’t. Seems that many “old wives’ tales” about how to store things are actually pretty spot on. There are several storage myths that have been bugging us, so we figured they were...
Giving up on your New Year's resolution to run everyday already? That's okay we won't judge. There is always next year. In the meantime, you'll need to store your treadmill correctly to make sure it is in tip-top shape when you decide to get back on it (for real this...
You've jotted down your resolutions, rung in the new year and made your toasts. Now, learn how to store your extra bubbly so it will taste great when you pop the cork this year or beyond. Good storage practices will help your champagne stand the test of time, says...
Every year, the Atlantic hurricane season in the U.S. runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. And during every hurricane season, people who live in hurricane-prone places like Florida and Louisiana worry about how to keep their belongings safe. By taking...
During hurricane season, it’s critical to know your rights as a self-storage consumer in case a storm hits. In hurricane-prone states, laws are in place to protect consumers from price gouging during emergency situations like hurricanes. These laws specifically apply...
From records to cassette tapes, VHS cassettes, CDs and laserdiscs, the history of media is rich with a variety of forms used to produce music and videos. And some of those early forms are actually increasing in popularity. In 2015, nearly 12 million vinyl albums were...
Whether your painting project is large or small, it’s almost certain that when you’re finished, you’ll have some leftover paint. And if you want to use the paint in the future, you’ll need to make sure it’s stored correctly. “It is possible that both unopened and...
Tenants nationwide use their storage units for the intended purpose: to store their excess belongings. But the rules breakers that ignore their lease agreements and operate businesses from their units provide the best stories in the industry. About 1 out of 5 storage...
They’re often dirty, they’re all different sizes and you keep tripping over them. No, we’re not talking about your children – we’re talking about yard tools. And whether they’re piled in a messy corner of the garage, strewn across the back porch or stuffed in a shed,...
There is a zombie lurking in unit 83. That is the premise behind a new six-issue comic book series called Self Storage coming out this month. The story follows a storage auction hunter named Chris, who ends up finding an undead woman named Jessica inside a unit he...
If it takes you several minutes—and maybe several expletives—to find the right pill to alleviate your ailment, it’s probably time to cut the clutter in your medicine cabinet. “When you aren’t feeling well, the last thing you should have to do is dig around for the...
In her song “Cherry,” the late Amy Winehouse paid homage to the love that many musicians feel for their guitars. While every musician may not be as eloquent as Winehouse was, most would do whatever it takes to keep their instruments in the best shape...
Around the Fourth of July, we get a big bang out of fireworks. But without proper storage and handling of fireworks, your Independence Day fun could fizzle. In 2013, eight people died and an estimated 11,400 people were injured in fireworks-related incidents around...
Whether you’re prepping for an emergency or simply want to avoid a last-minute, pre-dinner trip to the store, the idea of a brimming pantry holds a great deal of appeal. It also can cut costs. “Proper food storage prevents waste and thereby saves money,” said Teri...
When it comes to your belongings, not every item can take a licking and keep on ticking. Some of your possessions, such as dishes, mirrors, pictures, vases and antiques, easily can be broken when you’re moving or storing them if you don’t take special precautions. To...
When it comes to storage, some things are more fragile than others. One of the most delicate—and sometimes valuable—objects you can store is glassware, which can easily crack, become scratched or even lose its color. Finding a safe place to store glassware that’s not...
Drummer Patrick Drohan and his four mates that make up a fast-rising Southern rock band liked honing their skills in a 10x15 storage unit in Columbia, SC so much, that they named their band after the street where they jammed: Atlas Road Crew. “It was an awesome...
Whether you’re being audited, applying for a loan or simply looking to get a better handle on your day-to-day finances, you need an effective way to store financial documents so that you can achieve financial success. “If you don’t have a system, you become...
When you’re shopping for a self-storage facility, you want to make sure your belongings will be in good hands. However, every self-storage costumer has his or her own list of priorities when it comes to renting a storage unit. Here are four factors you should weigh...
Have you ever gotten on a health kick and bought a ton of exercise equipment, only to find that you had no place to put it? If so, there’s no need to choose between your fitness routine and your space. Instead, consider these storage solutions that you can use both...
Whether it’s a set you received when you got married or a set you inherited from Grandma Lucy, china is precious and fragile. So, how do you store the dishes to ensure they don’t wind up in bits and pieces? First you want to place china in a protective wrap, ideally...
Admit it: You love how your home looks when it’s decked out for the holidays, but you dread putting away the decorations. To make the job easier, we combed the Internet and found nine crafty ways to store your holiday decorations. Water Bottles Tip Junkie offers this...
Whether you’ve been tailgating veteran or a newcomer, it’s hard to deny the appeal of meeting up with friends, firing up the grill and getting psyched for the big game. As relaxing and exciting as tailgating is, it involves a fair amount of work—especially when it...
When the renter of a storage unit dies, the aftermath can be almost as messy as a Tom Cruise divorce. What happens to the contents of that storage unit depends on an array of factors. Typically, the contents of a dead tenant’s storage unit become part of the tenant’s...
Think your belongings will be protected during a tornado just because they’re locked up in a self-storage unit? Few buildings can withstand the 200 mph winds of an F4 tornado, but even lower-category tornado blasts can twist off roofs and blow your stuff around in...
Flag Day is celebrated each June 14 to commemorate the adoption of the U.S. flag in 1777 and to remember the sacrifices that have been made to preserve the nation. Aging flags often become heirlooms and keepsakes that need to be stored carefully, said Richard R....
The proper care and storage of cigars is important, whether you like to puff on premium Montecristos or simply enjoy inexpensive stogies. “Cigars are living and breathing organisms,” said Patrick Ashby, editor in chief of StogieGuys.com, a website for cigar lovers....
If you have to part with your old furniture because you didn’t pay your storage bill, some might say you’re simply out of luck. But what if you lose your family photos, high school yearbooks and love letters? One of the ways you can try to track down those items is...
Self-storage has been taking it on the chin recently, and now it’s time to fight back. At the recent SXSW Eco conference in Austin, TX, environmentalist Adam Werbach, former president of the Sierra Club, was quoted on Twitter as proclaiming that self-storage “is a...
[ by Nannette Richford, Next Door Storage ] Attics are notorious for being cluttered with half-filled boxes and piles of unused items that are simply too good to throw away, but still get in the way. Sometimes this includes family heirlooms or old documents that,...
There are a lot of reasons a bike gets put away for months or years--off-seasons, injuries, spare bikes that go unused. And whether you’re throwing the bike in a shed, garage, storage unit or spare bedroom, there’s a right way and a wrong way to store a bike. Ralph...
[ Tiana Bodine, StorageAuctionForums.com ] Like any job or hobby, auction-hunting takes practice. Some things can be learned only through experience; practice really can make perfect. Still, you can give yourself an advantage by avoiding some of the most obvious...
Updated December 9, 2022 That self-storage rent seemed so affordable when you signed the lease. But now, past-due notices are stacking up, and the storage facility is threatening to auction off your belongings. Can a self-storage business really sell your stuff when...
Everyone loves a treasure hunt, and a storage auction is a modern-day equivalent of that age-old pursuit of buried fortunes. Vying for the contents of an abandoned storage unit is an exciting concept, but prospective buyers always should learn the right strategies...
Negotiation is a skill that Americans rarely get to utilize. Try as you might, haggling doesn’t really work in retail stores— prices are fixed and the employee taking payment typically has no control over those prices. The primary negotiating experience we deal with...
When it comes to dress wear, we men seem to be starved of options. While women have an ostensibly infinite variety of dresses and gowns available for formal occasions, men have the suit. With such a constrained closet, how does a man express himself and differentiate...
Our customers know that when it’s time to find storage, plugging SpareFoot.com into your address bar will let you compare facilities in your area in the blink of an eye and shave hours off of your storage search. In addition, we’ve written numerous times on...
AUSTIN, TX—A new SpareFoot analysis of thousands of customer reviews shows self-storage renters believe that U.S. self-storage facilities they have used are “very secure.” The analysis was performed in response to a recent report on “Good Morning America” claiming...
[ by Brian Spero, MoneyCrashers.com ] While extra storage space appeals to millions of Americans for a variety of reasons, it's an expense that needs to be justified, especially for people on tight budgets. To ensure you’re getting the biggest bang for the buck, try...