Our Company Blog

Long-Term Storage Tips

There are many situations that call for long-term storage. Whether you are between living arrangements, using storage to stay organized, or simply just need the extra space, it is important to educate yourself on how to properly store your possessions, ensuring that they remain safe and intact. Packing up items for an extensive period of time should be approached differently than if you are just packing things up for a month or two.

Check out some of these tips to ensure your items stay in top condition.

• Use durable storage containers. By purchasing new, sturdy boxes, you will help ensure that your items stay safer for longer. Also, try to keep the boxes close to the same size, which will help you stack and store them easier. This also makes it easier to get to the boxes, should you need to access anything in them.

• Vacuum-seal clothes. If you want to keep your clothes in the best condition possible, vacuum seal them to ensure that they are well-protected. They will not get wet or infested, and this also makes them much easier to store, while freeing up space in your storage unit.

• Properly wrap fragile items. If you have an item that is breakable, be sure to wrap it in some type of protective material, such as bubble wrap or soft cloth. For extra cushioning, fill the storage box with foam or something similar to ensure that items will not bump against anything else and break.

• Stack boxes appropriately. When putting boxes into storage stack the heavier items on bottom, while keeping the lighter ones on top. Also, boxes that contain more fragile possessions should be put in the back to avoid any possible collisions. A good tip is to label boxes accordingly to ensure that they are put in the appropriate location and are easy to access later.

• Store furniture properly. Take apart your furniture as much as possible, keeping any necessary screws or tools together and close by. Wood items should be sprayed with oil or polished to ensure that they do not get too dry while in storage. Furniture made out of material should be covered with cloth and then taped to keep it safe and clean.

• Clean your appliances. Before storing appliances, make sure they are as clean as possible. It is recommended to use bleach or baking soda to ensure that as much bacteria as possible has been washed away. Wrap up the cords so that they do not get lost or tangled, and leave any doors slightly open. These tips will help to ensure that mold and debris do not build up on these items.

At The Mobile Attic, we have all the tools you need to store your items safely. Give our experts a call today and see what we can do for you!

Avoid Injuries During Your Move

Moving is often a stressful time. Between renting equipment, packing, and the many expenses that pile up, the last thing anyone needs is a moving-related injury. Injuries not only add to your expense list, but slow down the entire moving process. Unfortunately, with all the heavy lifting involved, injuries are all too common when packing and unpacking a house full of hefty items. Follow these tips to prevent any back pains or broken bones during your next move.

Moving Safety Tips:

• Pack Strategically: When packing, try to keep all of your boxes at a manageable weight. Disperse heavier items throughout multiple boxes to ensure that you will not get stuck hauling around more than you can handle. Also, keep both homes in mind when packing. Think about any issues you might have getting certain items into harder to access locations and plan your moving strategy accordingly.

• Dress Appropriately: Wearing the proper shoes and clothing will help a lot when moving. You will want to make sure that your shoes provide adequate support for hauling back and forth all day and that they cover your feet entirely. Also, try to avoid loose clothing, as it may get caught on something and cause further problems.

• Wear items that allow freedom of movement, while still protecting your body from scrapes and bruises.

• Stay Organized: Make sure that everyone has a role and is aware of what their responsibilities are throughout your moving day. Not only will this speed up the entire process, but it will minimize the risk of people getting in each other’s way, which often leads to collisions and injuries.

• Protect Your Back: Back injuries are all too common when moving. Avoid them by bending your knees and keeping your back straight when lifting heavy items. This will help you lift with your leg muscles and avoid straining your back. Also, keeping objects between your waist and your shoulders will help keep pressure off of your back.

• Know Your Surroundings: Look around before attempting to haul a heavy or awkward item. Make sure that you are avoiding any slippery spots on the floor and steering clear of anything that could introduce a collision. Continue looking around as you carry your item to ensure that no accidents occur.

• Ask For Help: If an item is too heavy for you to carry on your own, ask for help! Getting two people on the job will not only ensure that injuries are avoided, but will make the process more efficient, as well. It will speed up the job and keep items from getting dropped or broken.

At the Mobile Attic, your storage unit can be delivered to your house so you don’t have to risk injury by loading in a vehicle and unloading – you can load directly from your home or apartment directly to your storage unit. Give us a call to schedule your portable storage today!