Find out what to do with your storage unit to make sure it stays safe, organised and clean.
An affordable self storage unit is something that can be packed and left for months or even years at a time. For that reason, you may wonder why there is anything that you need to do to it at all.
The fact is, that a storage unit can benefit from certain actions and adjustments so that your stored items have the best possible chance of remaining in fantastic condition. With that in mind, here are 10 things to do to your storage unit right now:
1. Check In On It
Many people don’t visit their self storage unit every now and again, which can result in any pests, mould, stack falls and other issues going on without your knowledge. It’s just a case of checking in, so that you know everything is as it should be because certain issues, like mould and pests, are best caught early.
2. Check You’re Using All The Space
Are you somebody who regularly visits your cheap storage unit? Are you always taking things and putting them back in? If you are, it is a good idea to check your storage unit every now and again to ensure you’re getting the most out of the space you are paying for. Perhaps you need to put more items in the space to utilise every square foot. Maybe you need to adjust your contract and switch to a smaller unit. The fact is, just by checking in you can ensure you’re on top of what you’re paying for so you’re always making the most of your contract.
3. Do A Pest Patrol
Pests like moths, bed bugs and other nasties can make a lovely home for themselves in your self storage unit, even with the best preventative efforts. Finding them early means you can contain the infestation and prevent extensive damage being done to your belongings. Look for webbing, holes, black specks and the bugs themselves. If you suspect you have a widespread infestation you may want to discuss it with the facility manager.
4. Manage That Mould
Mould is a real risk when you put any item into cheap storage. As a preventative, it makes sense to put moisture absorbers into your unit, as well as ensuring that everything that goes in there is dry. Of course, dampness can sneak in perhaps through an unknown issue of damp in the unit, or an item that was placed in the unit with moisture present. This then leads to mould and mildew which can stain and rot away materials, clothes and upholstery. As with pests, the sooner you catch the mould, the better the outcome. If you suspect that the problem is caused by damp in the unit itself, and not from your things, it’s worth speaking to the facility manager so they can get that problem fixed for you.
5. Vacuum
Vacuuming your unit helps to manage dust and debris that is naturally in the air. It helps to disturb the stagnant air, too, which helps reduce that fusty, musty smell you get with items that have been stored for a long time in an attic or garage.
6. Safety Check
A self storage unit should be safely laid out, with items stacked against the walls and in the middle, with a walkway cutting through. Over time, boxes can compact or slightly move because of weight distribution, which may mean that the way you stacked the unit initially is no longer going to keep your things safe. By doing a quick safety check you can make adjustments and ensure nothing is getting crushed, and most importantly, a stack fall is not imminent.
7. Create A New Itinerary
If you are regularly moving items in and out of your unit, and especially if you sell items from your unit, it is important to create an itinerary, or at least up to date an old one. When things are busy it is so easy to forget to update these kinds of things, especially if you have moved a lot of items through the unit recently. Take an afternoon to label, write your lists, update your itinerary and to ensure that next time you visit to find something, you know exactly where it is.
8. Check In With The Team
Do you know that self storage facilities are constantly trying to update their offerings to ensure that customers like you get as much use out of your unit as possible. New security measures, new equipment to borrow, better business benefits – there could be all kinds of new opportunities for you to make even more of your unit.
9. Check What You’re Paying
It is so important to check that what you are paying is affordable, especially during such a tricky financial climate. If you think you will struggle to pay your contract it is better to speak to your facility manager sooner rather than later. By doing so, you can work out how best to approach the situation without falling into debt. If you’re in a good position to pay your bills, it is also important to make sure you’re paying a competitive rate. Are you getting good value for money? Is this affordable self storage that matches what is available locally? By checking this you ensure that you’re getting the most possible for your money compared to local self storage units elsewhere.
10. Give It A Bit Of A Spritz
Covid-19 still exists, and if you’re bringing items in and out of your unit one effective thing you can do right now is to give everything a little bit of an antibacterial spray down. You can buy wipes, gels, sprays and spritzes that all work hard to kill off nasty bacteria and viruses, ensuring your unit as as safe and clean as it can be.
The ten suggestions above are all important considerations to make for your self storage unit, particularly if you’re planning a visit or you haven’t been for a while. This exceptional service is incredibly useful, but there are always ways to make it better for yourself, especially using the ten tips above.
