Tips for Storing Items Safely

As you look around the house, you may notice that it is full of stuff you don't need. This could be because of changing trends and shopping sprees that result in accumulated stuff. Storage and organisation go hand in hand. But what if it turns out to be an unmanageable clutter. 

Besides, finding dedicated hacks to store your valuables like your wedding china, party dresses, art pieces, and furniture can save these items from deterioration. Storing items that you no longer require on a daily basis makes space for the new stuff and helps in decluttering. A lot of times, keeping things in the attic or basement may not be the best idea. 

But these places are home to pest activities, mold, and mildew, which can be disastrous for your valuable items. Let's take a look at how you can make sure your belongings stay in good condition when untouched for a long time. 

Declutter and Spring Clean

Your closet may be filled with clothes that you don't fit into anymore but still save them for later. This calls for a decluttering and finding workable storage solutions to maximise the space in your closet. The first thing is to make a pile of things that you use daily and occasionally. 

This includes your daily wear items that should be stored in the most accessible places. For your winter wear, you can get dust bags and large zippered pouches. You will require your winter coats and boats in one half of the year. So, they can be kept in storage compartments under your furniture or at the top shelf of your closet.

When packing these items, make sure they are clean and dry-cleaned to remain fresh until the next season. You can add fresheners, dryer sheets, and insect repellent cubes inside the packages to prevent any pests. 

The best storage solution for your valuable wedding dresses and formal dresses to keep them in an acid-free box. You can get this done by a professional to make sure the fabric of the dresses stays intact. It is advisable not to store these dresses in plastic packaging that they come in. Also, make sure that you have cleaned these according to the instruction labels of the fabrics. 

Appliances and Machinery

Maybe you invested in a new technologically advanced appliance, but your old one still works. These appliances can be in good condition yet make the space look clutter if you don't use them. Storing them safely is a better solution as they can still be used in case a family member moves someplace else. 

Before storing these items, remove any spare parts, waterlogging, tapes, and batteries. This will prevent the insides of the machinery from deterioration and corrosion. You can get a temperature-controlled self-storage unit that charges on a monthly or annual basis. These dedicated units are worldwide in the US, Europe, London, Hobart, and Tasmania. 

Storage in Hobart or US works on the same principle of keeping the items safe in secure places. This is an optimum way to ensure your belongings will remain untouched and free from any weather deterioration. 

Also, check out our tips for toy storage in the kids’ room.

Self-Storage for Documents 

Documents and files have valuable data in them that can be confidential. The paperwork is susceptible to fires, water damages, mould, and mildew. Proper care needs to be taken when storing essential documents and files. Even a little amount of moisture can ruin the paperwork; hence should be considered. 

A self-storage unit may be the best storage solution to get rid of document clutter. Besides, you can store important contracts and documents in the safe units that have 24x7 security. Along with the security of cameras, fencing and guards, the paperwork needs weatherproofing. 

Look for a unit that has temperature and humidity control to keep these documents free from growing mold and mildew. Also, consider places that have adequate pest control and no signs of weeds. The units should be solid in construction and free from any cracks. 

For storage in Hobart, you should consider temperature and mildew control units to protect it from changing weather and humidity. 

Strategic Organization

This is mainly for the people on the go and students who move a lot to study and work. Differentiate between the stuff you need to have to feel comfortable at a place and store the extra in a self-storage unit. This could be in an institutional facility, or you may pick a private facility for extra security. 

You may need to store your dorm bedding, books, and extra clothing temporarily until your next semester. So, pick a storage facility with affordable rates, ample security, and where possible, the convenience of movable storage units that can be transported from one location to the next. 

When looking for long term storage in areas with moisture and oceanic temperatures like Tasmania, find a ventilated storage unit. Make sure you follow the proper precautions to protect your belongings from mold damage. 

Fragile Items Checklist

Delicate items like antiques, glassware, or mirrors carry an enormous risk of damage, after all, who can afford to damage such beauties. The best way one can save and store them is to wrap them in a plastic bubble.

Take proper time to wrap them and keep them separated from all other articles to avoid even minor risks. Bubble wrap will not only save them from breaking but will also maintain the lustre and value of the item. So whenever you open it next, you will find it as new as it was before packing. 

Heavy Duty Items

This is for those who own classic, antique and vintage cars, sports cars, and racing cars. You cannot possibly keep these in a normal garage risking their life and appearance. Finding a proper self-storage unit with security will help in prolonging the life of these vehicles. Before storage, make sure the servicing and insurance of your vehicle are done. 

Besides, check them for any existing damage to get it fixed and keep these in running conditions. Find a storage unit with adequate security, an alarm system, and security guards. Also, see that the unit's location is accessible from your home to keep a check on your precious cars. 

Hopefully, these tips for storing items safely will help you stay more organised and free of worries for your prized possessions.  

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If you need any help with an easy and convenient Mobile Self-Storage solutions while you renovate, feel free to email us or phone us on 1300 223 000 for a quote. Alternatively, you can get an instant quote and book online here.

8 Foolproof Steps for Decluttering & Creating Space in Your Home

source: festoonhouse

It happens more than often that what we think as cute or cheap ends up making our homes a dumping ground. But this clutter is nothing but a sign of indecision. 

Decluttering means getting rid of what is unwanted or unnecessary, and reorganising what is useful so that you can get them when needed. But that's easier said than done. 

However, the finest way to get ahead is to get started. So check out these fantastic tips on how you can declutter your Home and see how it unwinds the complexities in your daily routine.

1. Create a Decluttering Checklist

Start with a pen and paper and tour around all the rooms, bathrooms and closets of your house. While you do this, look at every nook and cranny and make a list of the items you need to sort out or unclutter. 

Use this list to sit and figure out what is essential and what is not, before you take the plunge. Also, pick out the areas you wish to work on first and then start with your prioritized regions one by one.

Besides, since decluttering may take hours of your time, schedule your time for each section of your Home. For instance, three hours for the closet, another for the drawer chest, and another couple of hours for the bathroom and so forth will do. 

2. Hit one Spot at a Time

Since even Rome was not built in a day, do not burden yourself with the expectation of decluttering your Home in one go. The decluttering list you made above will come to your rescue for making this decision. Despite taking help, decision making takes time, and so shall your decluttering. 

Moreover, when you work on one space at a time, the results will inspire you to work on the rest of the spaces. It will be even better if you start with a smaller area or the most manageable Spot in your Home. And it will be neat and chic before you'll know. 

3. Follow the Three Bin Strategy

The three-bin strategy is plain and simple. Before you start with the process, grab three boxes, and label or designate them as useful, waste, and storage. As the names suggest, keep the valuable items that you may regularly need in the first box, and these will be the only items that you will be organizing back into your spaces. 

The second bin, for the waste items, is for the things you must let go of. You may either dispose of them in the garbage, donate to the needy, or put them on a garage sale. The third one shall be for the items that you may need but not on a routine basis. It could be your winter jackets in the summer season, or rain boats in the dry season. And this will be your first step at sorting the clutter. 

4. Clear. Organise. Repeat

Once you are ready with the list and the choice of priority areas, it's time to clear out. And believe us, it's the easiest and fun part. You may come across a lot of items that you might have forgotten you are the owner of. Besides, you will unravel the beauty of the empty spaces as well. 

Before organizing, sort your things into different clusters. For example, if you are working on your closet, keep all the socks on one side, scarves on the other, and the same for the tops, bottoms, belts, and other items. Besides, one stack must be for the things that you don't need anymore and another for items that can be stored outside the closet. 

Now you have empty spaces to fill in and stacks of items outside. So brainstorm yourself as to what will fit where, and organize your closet with only the essential items. If you wonder what about the rest, hang on, we'll cover that soon.

5. Choose Spots for Similar Items

Similar items must be stored together so that there is only one place you need to look in when you need them. For instance, all your tools, sewing kits, craft supplies, socks, cosmetics and stuff must be placed in designated spots. 

Even if you need to separate them, it must be done meaningfully. Like separate your summer and winter socks, and keep only the summer socks in the drawers if it's the summertime. Your winter socks may meanwhile reside in the storeroom or an old suitcase with other winter clothes. 

6. Make Use of Adequate Storage Furniture

The storage furniture you have in your home makes a lot of difference in the decluttering process. If possible, you must replace old furniture with versatile furnishing options. Examples may include beds with storage boxes or ottomans which double as stools as well as a box with a lid for blankets. 

There are a lot more items out there that are versatile in use yet provide excellent Self-storage and while consuming minimal space. 

7. Store Extras in the Garage or in a Self-Storage unit

If you run out of storage spaces in your home, no worries! There are plenty of service providers that allow you to use their storage units for safekeeping your items for minimal rental. Here are more tips on how to convert your garage into usable space.

Especially if you live in cities like Hobart, or other regions in Tasmania, you will get access to many such quality service providers. You will have options like private access, lockable storage solution, among others, which you may choose depending on the kind of items you need to store.

8. Preschedule the Next Declutter Date

While it is always advisable to maintain the house regularly, there could be circumstances where this might not be possible for you. So taking into account your probably busy schedule, Assign at least an hour a week for decluttering. This could be on the weekend, or otherwise, but making it a habit will go a long way of keeping your calm.

And once you make it a regular ritual, you will get all the benefits of a decluttered home, which will surely reflect on your mindset as well. 

During the process of decluttering, when you come across long-forgotten items, and when you choose to keep or dispose of them, you will also ease your emotional baggage. 

If you need any help with an easy and convenient Mobile Self-Storage solutions, feel free to email us or phone us on 1300 223 000 for a quote. Alternatively, you can get an instant quote and book online here.