Category: self storage

If you are planning to move, reorganize your dwelling, or downsize, or only looking for extra storage space to stow away your stuff for short-term or long-term, you would have found the idea of rented storage very appealing. There is no doubt that rented storage units are a great way to manage your stuff and ensure it’s safeguarding without hassles or stress, many people make glorious mistakes while using their rented storage space. Here is a handy list of items that should never go in your rented storage unit.

Living (or Dead) Organisms

This might sound strange, but many people have been found living in and operating their life from rented storage units. They seem to have mistaken these units for rented homes, which are obviously not the same. Rented storage units are only meant for storing your ‘non-living’ stuff. This means that neither you nor your pets or plants can be in there. Even professional gardeners are not allowed to store their plants in storage units.

Perishable Items

No matter what the label of a food or other biological material says, it is bound to perish and decay sometime. Stored food items that go bad are very messy to clean up and are potentially hazardous to human health. The same holds true for boxes and containers that have traces of food or other perishable items.

Firearms and Explosives

Items such as firearms, gunpowder, explosives, and munitions are never allowed inside any storage facility. This is because they carry the risk of potentially harming tenants and damaging the facility.

Hazardous Material

Corrosive, toxic, odorous, and chemical materials are not allowed inside storage units. The same holds true for insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers, bleach, aerosol cans, lead paints, petroleum products, and radioactive compounds and asbestos.

Scented Items and Wet Items

Most storage facilities don’t allow storage of scented or wet items because they have the potential to attract insects or lead to the growth of mold and fungus that may damage other stored goods.

Cash and Expensive Items

Storage facilities require you to disclose the value of the items that you are going to store in their units. Any item that costs more than $5,000 is identified as expensive and is off limits for storage. Also, stolen goods are not allowed.

Illegal Items

It is not a good idea to store banned substances in a storage unit. The same holds true for stolen goods. Don’t be misled by movies and don’t think about storing these items in a rented storage unit, for your own well-being.

Construction Materials

Since spare and unwanted construction material can be recycled and disposed of properly, it is also not allowed inside a rented storage unit. If you have trouble in getting some materials recycled, contact the concerned authority instead of stacking it up in a rented storage facility.

Uninsured, Unlicensed, or Non-Working Vehicles

If you are thinking about storing your vehicle in a rented storage unit, you have to ensure that it is registered and has a valid license. At the same time, the vehicle should be insured and in working condition.

Now you know about what items are not supposed to be stored in a rented storage facility. However, it is always best to clarify all relevant concerns with the facility and understand their policies for the specifications of the stored items.

If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Ojai Self Storage has got you covered. Here at Ojai Self Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections with state-of-the-art security features. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at https://ojaiselfstorage.com/.

 

Rented storage facilities are a blessing if you are looking for options where you can safely stow away your stuff for long-term. Long-term storage of your items may be needed if you are planning to move out of your city or country temporarily for business or military deployment, studies, or if you have an extensive remodeling and revamping plan for your existing dwelling. Whatever the reason be, long-term storage of items requires special considerations to ensure their safety. Here are the three most important tips that will help you in preparing for long-term storage.

Plan The Storage

This might sound absurd, but you need to plan the entire long-term storage drill in your head before actually starting to pack your stuff. This includes some serious research about the suitable storage facilities, thinking about the pros and cons of different packing materials, chalking out the information that you will put on the labels, etc. The most laborious and time-consuming aspect of this drill is to make a list of items that you will store. Only when you have thought the entire process through in your head, you should proceed to the next tip.

Start (and Finish) Packing

Once you know which item will be going to the rented facility for long-term storage, you should start packing each. There are several points to remember in this process:

• You should thoroughly clean each item before packing. Even a little bit of dust and dirt should not be left. Use the vacuum cleaner if needed.
• Apply protective sprays to wooden furniture and leather goods.
• Use a bleach solution to disinfect the internal surfaces of equipment like the refrigerator, washing machine, and dishwasher.
• Ensure that all items are completely dry and odorless before you pack them for storage.
• Disassemble all bulky items that can be disassembled. This will not only make packing easy but also give you more space when you stack it in the storage unit.
• Never close the doors and lids of these items completely to prevent moisture build-up during storage.
• Use only new boxes for stacking the stuff because new boxes are sturdier.
• Avoid wrapping the items in plastic bags because they can retain moisture in the long run.
• Pack fragile and delicate items with special care. Use ample bubble wrap and fillers. Use corrugated sheets to separate them and stack all fragile items in one place.
• Prepare elaborate and tidy labels and paste many of them on each box to ensure visibility on all sides of the box.

Remember to keep this list safe because it will be helpful when you take the items out of the storage facility.

Choose the Right Storage Facility

The final tip on preparing long-term storage is to choose the right storage facility. There are different kinds of storage units available in the market and each has its own feature. For example, a climate-controlled unit will regulate temperature as well as humidity and may be preferable over a standard unit that doesn’t have these regulatory features. Ask the facility owner about their policies regarding long-term storage and inquire about the insurance details. You should ensure that the storage facility has a sound security system to safeguard your belongings in your absence. The overall maintenance of the facility should also be considered.

If you keep these three tips in mind while preparing for long-term storage, you will come back to find your belongings in great condition. Also, you will be able to retrieve every item without wasting time and making any additional effort.

If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings for the long-term, Ojai Self Storage has got you covered. Here at Ojai Self Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at https://ojaiselfstorage.com/.

 

When you hear storage units, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Well, when we talk about storage units, it’s often viewed as a moving solution or as a seasonal storage solution. But nobody seems to be talking about how amazing storage units can be during a home renovation. Whether you plan on expanding your living room or adding an additional bedroom, you’ll probably need to make room for the remodeling. Often times “making room” means you got to move your furniture and items away from the renovation site. Otherwise, your furniture will get its own makeover and we wouldn’t want to happen.

When it comes to home renovations, the most common issue people run into is the lack of space to properly store their belongings. This is where storage units come in handy.

When renting a storage unit, most people have the big aspects covered – comparing prices and locations, noting the hours the unit is accessible, etc. Here are 5 storage unit tips you didn’t know:

Take Advantage of the Amenities

Rental storage units are a business. Like any business, the owner offers perks and amenities to keep their clients satisfied. Offering free amenities might seem counterintuitive for a company trying to make money, but getting more clients based on word-of-mouth reviews is an equal hand-off.

When considering a storage unit, be sure to ask about their amenities. Some places offer anything from a free moving truck to furniture covers.

Understand Your Belongings Before Storage

Most people have the general idea of tightly packing as many of their belongings into a single storage unit. We get it; you want to maximize your storage space. However, it’s important to understand your belongings before you store anything in them. Some items may require a climate controlled unit to help maintain your furniture in tip-top condition. Depending on how big your home renovation project is, it could take anywhere between 4 to 8 months before completion. This piece of information is often times overlooked and may possibly help with deciding between a regular storage unit and a climate controlled unit.

Benefits of Climate Controlled Units

Many storage unit facilities offer climate-controlled units for a slightly higher price. You might balk at spending more money than you absolutely have to, but it is something for you to consider if the items you plan to store are fragile or valuable. For example, photo albums can easily warp in units that aren’t climate-controlled.

Storage Unit Security

Arguably the most important factor when it comes to storage units and with good reason. Often times, a clean facility is a good indicator that the facility has security cameras. Think about it, would you litter if you knew someone might be watching you? Live security cameras are an industry standard nowadays when it comes to a storage facility. What often sets a secured storage facility apart from one another is having individual storage unit alarms. This little attention to detail security add-on is a great indication that the facility really cares about you and your belongings.

Reserve the Unit ASAP

If you’re planning on having a home renovation within the next couple of months or years, we highly recommend factoring in your storage unit rentals in your planning. Reserve your unit couple of days or months in advance by communicating with the managers. Keep in mind, storage units fill up fast especially if it’s from a reputable facility with great attention to detail and care for their tenants.

 

If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Ojai Self Storage has got you covered in this department. Here at Ojai Self Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at https://ojaiselfstorage.com.

If you have ever tried organizing small spaces in offices or homes, you will understand how daunting a task it can be. This is because there is a need to place the right items in the right position to maximize space.

The same principles also apply to storage facilities. Rely on the manager for help determining what size unit you will need. Once your unit is rented, you should carefully determine how best to arrange your items in your unit.

The tips & tricks are centered on overall room utilization. Proper space utilization guarantees that your items are well stacked, secure and easy to access.

So, what are those must-have tips and tricks for storage unit space utilization?

1. Consider Your Heavy Items

While considering heavy items, keep in mind that you are working on saving space and also protecting your items. Heavy items work well as bases, as they are typically more stable, but always check on their fragility to avoid breakages.

Spread out the heavy items around the floor of the room and then start building up from there. Continue to stack boxes according to weight and how fragile the contents are.

Heavy, odd-shaped items like couches may be able to stand on one end depending on how they are constructed. Use items like couches as bases for lighter boxes.

2. Dismantle your Furniture

Have you ever thought about how easy it would be to carry that piece of furniture in smaller pieces? If you haven’t then you should give it a thought.

Dismantled items are easy to transport, store and even stack. The whole process revolves around making the storage space more flexible. Think about removing legs from dining tables or breaking down modular furniture that you plan on storing for a while.

3. Fully fill your Boxes

If you are thinking of protecting those fragile items, then you also have to think about fully filling your boxes. Filled boxes reduce the chances of unsafe shifting of items. Ever had a box’s contents shift on you and cause you to lose your grip? The fuller the box, the less likely that shifting will occur.

Apart from the constant knocks and break, there is also the scratching of those precious items of yours. You want to keep your items in good condition, and to do so, you should consider wrapping the items individually. If one item breaks it is less likely to damage another.

Work on placing similar items in the same boxes for easy accessibility. If the boxes are not completely filled, then you can use old blankets, bubble wrap or toys to cover the empty spaces.

4. Choose the Size of your Boxes Wisely

Take a look at warehouses around you. What is that common stacking procedure that you see? If you have not already noticed it is the same size boxes for the same level of stacking. It’s proven that same size boxes fit into smaller space and are easy to stack.

Typically boxes are stacked largest to smallest. Buy as many like-sized boxes as possible to maximize storage efficiency. When using multiple sizes, just be sure to use the largest ones as the base and the smallest ones at the top.

5. Protect your Items

Consider keeping your items in good condition even when in storage. Sheets work great for covering large furniture items to keep them from getting dust and dirt. Couches and mattresses especially should have protective covers as they are harder to clean than wood surfaces. Treat your wood items with a nice protector before storing and protect your items by using quality locks for the storage unit.

6. Consider Accessibility

Save on time spent looking through boxes for specific items by planning before moving items. Planning will help you sort out items that you might need sooner. Don’t stack too high and be sure to label the outside of each box with the contents so you can easily find what you need when you need it.

If you have room, try to create a center row that can be used as an access point for all items in the unit.  Remember to always place important things at the front!

If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your precious belongings, Ojai Self Storage has got you covered. Here at Ojai Self Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections to accommodate your every need. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at https://ojaiselfstorage.com/.

 

It’s that time of year again to make some space in your home.  Between more items entering your living space, and relatives and friends coming over, you might consider de-cluttering.  Cleaning up for the holidays will make it much more enjoyable for your guests and your life a lot more stress-free.  Even if you aren’t hosting any parties, these tips can also help you prepare for the new year.  Here are a few places in your home that could do with some clutter management.

Kitchen

The kitchen can be one of the busiest places in your home when you have people over.  When you’re baking, cooking, and serving drinks, it’s better to have everything to be organized and not overcrowded.    Go into your fridge and remove anything that is expired.  Non-perishables such as rice and canned goods can be donated to food banks or charities.  Then go through your cabinets and find things you no longer need or have too many of.  Kitchen tools, appliances, and other miscellaneous items can also be donated.

Now that your kitchen is slightly more clutter free, now it’s time to store the remaining items.  Keep things you use every day up front, like pots and pans, so they are easily reachable.  If you happen to be hosting and baking during the Holidays, put everything you know you’ll use in one cabinet that is easily accessible

Garage

Spend some time in your garage making room.  You’ll want access to decorations, shovels if you need them, winter supplies, and other things you might want to pack away once the holidays are over.  Garages are often the place we leave neglected items, things we no longer have a use for.

Give away anything that fits this description or, if it’s no longer useful, toss it out.  You may want to store the remaining items on shelves rather than the floor of the garage.  This will give it a neater appearance.  Anything that still has use or sentiment can be put away in a storage unit for safe keeping.

Kids Rooms

If you have children, then you’re aware of the clutter that can pile up rather quickly, between games, crayons, books, and toys.

Think of all the items your child no longer uses.  These things can be donated to a local charity or family in need, especially during this time of the year.  Anything that has been outgrown or forgotten will certainly be well loved by a family less fortunate.

Some children may be more attached than others to certain items.  If they don’t really use it, try putting it away for a while and if it isn’t used again then consider donating it.

Self Storage is another option when it comes to anything you may want to put away for a while, but don’t want to give up.  Holiday decorations are especially good for a storage unit as they don’t clutter up parts of your house for the rest of the year.  If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your precious belongings, Ojai Self Storage has got you covered. Securely store your belongings! Here at Ojai Self Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections to accommodate your every need. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at https://ojaiselfstorage.com/.

 

Did you know that our quality of life can be improved if we’re just a bit more organized? Studies have shown that our moods can be dramatically improved when we surround ourselves in an organized environment. As a byproduct of our enhanced mood, our productivity also improves. It almost seems like the more organized we are, the more likely our quality of life improves. So if that’s the case, it’s almost a no-brainer to start getting organized! If becoming more organized is something you’re looking for but you simply don’t know where to start we’ve got you covered. Let’s get started.

Renting out a storage unit is probably one of the most overlooked first steps towards becoming more organized. Majority of the time, being disorganized occurs when there are too many things all over the place with not enough room. The reason behind this is because our home only has a limited amount of space. It also doesn’t help that each year we buy tons of new toys and gadgets while keeping our old toys as well.

Storage units come in different sizes from 5×5 units to 10×30 units and maybe even bigger. Regardless of how many stuff you have at home, there will always be a storage unit that’ll accommodate your needs. Once you’ve picked out your storage facility, we can begin our journey to a better quality of life.

The trick to a better quality of life is decluttering your home. A little game I like to play when I’m on a decluttering session is to hold 2 separate trash bags. In one of the trash bags, you’ll toss all trash or junk you no longer need. On the other trash bag, put anything and everything you want to be put in your storage unit. So what’s considered trash and what’s considered storage worthy? Let’s face it, if you have stuff that hasn’t been touched or used in the last 12 months there’s a pretty good chance you found your trash. Now I’m not talking about decors and sentimental items. I’m talking about outdated stuff. Let’s say you recently bought a new vacuum and from that day forth, you only use the new vacuum and neglect the old. As the saying goes “out with the old, in with the new.” Make this game a little more interesting by adding another trash bag. For this third trash page, put stuff that could go towards charity or perhaps even a yard sale. Once you’ve finished your game, you’d be rewarded with a clutter-free home with a bit of organization.

So if you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Ojai Self Storage has got you covered. Secure your belongings at Ojai Self Storage, we offer a wide range of storage units to accommodate your every need. To learn more about our storage facility, please check out our website at https://ojaiselfstorage.com/.