Storing Holiday Decorations

Posted on December 2, 2012 by ntselfstorage

As the holidays approach with lightning speed, we thought we’d give some tips on storing your Christmas and other decorations.Have you seen all of the cool gadgets out there to help keep you organized?

How about this $59.99 duffel bag to store your $10 strings of lights?

Image from Brookstone

If you’re interested, you can purchase it here. Otherwise, you might try this simple and nearly free solution from Martha Stewart to store your strands of lights.Simply cut a piece of cardboard to fit inside a plastic bin. Cut a slit at the top of one long side and the bottom of the other long side of the cardboard. You can secure the cord in one of the slits, wrap the cord around the piece of cardboard, and secure the other cord end in the opposite slit. Repeat for as many strands of lights you need to store, and stack them in a plastic bin separated by layers of bubble wrap. One commenter who stores lights on a much larger scale recommends this theater trick: put two orange plastic soccer cones in the bottom of a large plastic bin, and wrap the lights in a figure eight.

Image from Martha Stewart

Now, how about storing all your ornaments? You might choose to purchase specialty ornament storage boxes such as the one below. The Snapware Snap N’ Stack Ornament Storage Box is available for $29.99 and allows you to store up to 48 ornaments.

Image from SpaceSavers

If you’d like a more economical solution, this DIY from Design a la Mod is pretty great! And it turns out, she got the idea from Martha Stewart too, originally. Start by cutting several pieces of cardboard to fit inside a plastic storage bin. Use a hot-glue gun to affix plastic cups to each piece of cardboard. For extra security, you can wrap each ornament in tissue paper before inserting it in the cup. After you’ve filled each cup, simply stack the cardboard flats inside the bin and close the lid.

Image from Design a la Mod

Here are a few more tips to store your holiday decorations:

Store extra stemware or glassware in boxes sourced from the liquor store. If they were sturdy enough to protect glass bottles for shipping, they should work well to protect your glassware in your storage unit! Look for ones with a lid that closes.
Did your kids make any special ornaments out of macaroni or dough? Those can attract pests, so store them in resealable plastic bags.
If you want to store candles, you might choose a climate-controlled unit… unless you like the Salvador Dali look. If you are storing tapers, try putting them in an empty paper towel tube. They’re the perfect size to help keep them from getting broken. Candles should be put away flat and in a fairly cool area to prevent warping and preserve color.
Storing lawn ornaments or other bulky figurines? Save the zippered garment bags you get when you buy a new suit or dress, and use them to protect plastic figures, such as sleighs and reindeer.
Label all your boxes clearly! It will save you so much frustration next year! You might even try labeling the boxes you need first: “Open First!”

As always, we at North Texas Self Storage would love to help you with any of your storage needs throughout the holiday season or at any time. We have units ranging from the size of a closet to ones big enough to store a car, so give us a call at any of our DFW locations.

How to Store: Appliances

Posted on November 7, 2012 by ntselfstorage

Items such as your refrigerator, oven, washer, and dryer are some of the biggest investments you make in your home. If you need to put them in storage, take a few steps to protect them. What a shame it would be to pay for storage and have your appliance ruined by failure to properly prepare them!

Clean

Wipe down the interior and exterior of each appliance with a damp cotton cloth or paper towels. Be sure to clean the vents, connection hoses, and filters, including all air intake areas such as lint filters, grids, or tubes. If you’re storing a fridge, wash the drip trays, interior bin and shelves, and defrost pans. If storing a dishwasher, be sure to remove the filter and clean out any remnants of food or residue to avoid mold and pests. Gather and tie together any hanging parts, or remove them completely and place them inside the dishwasher for storage. The more efficiently and securely appliance parts are stored, the less chance they will need replacement once they’re required again.

Drain any water from hoses, pipes, or plastic tubing. If the appliance has an internal reservoir/water tank, empty it. It is absolutely critical that no water is left in your appliance.

Transport Safely

Secure doors with tape that will not leave permanent damage. Here’s an example of a tape that can reportedly be left in the sun and won’t leave residue: 3M No-Residue High-Performance Duct Tape.

Remove glass shelves or other components that might break in transport. Wrap them to prevent breakage. We highly recommend a product like this foam wrap, as it effective and not bulky.

Load your appliances into the truck last so that they are unpacked first. Always, always, always transport a refrigerator in an upright position.

The proper way to store appliances: with the door slightly ajar

Unloading

Remove your appliances first and place them in the rear of the storage unit. This way, your more frequently used items are more accessible.

Remove the packing tape you used to secure the appliance doors. Leave any doors slightly ajar to prevent mold and mildew.

Loosely drape your appliances with cotton sheets or painter’s tarps, allowing a bit of space for air circulation while preventing the buildup of dust. Put down pads under appliances, to avoid rust forming from moisture from the floor.

If you wish, you might choose to strategically place insect traps around your appliances. If there are insects to be found, better they end up in your traps than in the crevices of your stove!

In North Texas, we experience such extreme changes in weather that it might be worth considering a climate-controlled storage unit. Today’s appliances are more likely to contain electronics and other sensitive internal components, and it’s worth the extra money if you don’t have to repair or replace your damaged appliance. If you have any questions, the friendly and knowledgeable property managers at any of the 7 North Texas Self Storage locations in Addison, Carrollton, Coppell, Dallas, Denton, Lewisville, or Oak Cliff can give you some advice!

The Lowdown on Storage Auctions

Posted on October 3, 2012 by ntselfstorage

Like most storage facilities, we hold the occasional auction. When the show “Storage Wars” first came out, we had crowds of over 60, but of late we have come to expect about 15 people or so to attend. What you may not know from “Storage Wars” is that we really don’t want to auction our renters’ property. We do not have long-term contracts or administrative fees at any of our self storage properties throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, and we try to make it as easy as possible for renters to pay their monthly bills via cash, check, or credit card. Our property managers follow up with each renter to ensure that rent is up-to-date.

We do understand that sometimes it happens that storage property just gets abandoned. When that does happen, and we need to free up that rental unit again, we give the property owner the opportunity to pay the owed rent—right up till the time of the auction.

At North Texas Self Storage, we advertise our upcoming auctions in the newspaper, as is legally required. If you wish to attend an auction be sure to arrive at least 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled start. Before the auction starts, we will have a sign-in sheet and an information sheet with the terms and conditions of the auction.

There are 3 basic types of auctions at self storage facilities:

Blind Auction: This type of auction is fairly rare, but it does happen. As a bidder, you will have no idea what is inside the rental unit. There could be an amazing treasure, or just a heap of crumpled newspaper.

Live Auction: This is a much more common type of auction. You are allowed to see inside the rental unit/lot in order to make an educated guess as to the worth of the contents. Units or lots are usually viewed one by one, with the viewing limited to the doorway entrance of the storage unit or container. The bidding starts after all bidders have had a viewing of the property. Bidders make their offers out in the open, so competition may drive up the price.

Sealed Bid Auction: Like the live auction, you are permitted to look at the lot via the entrance of the unit or container. This time, however, all bidders submit their bids in a sealed envelope. The highest bidder takes possession of the contents.

With all auctions, you are expected to take possession of the goods and leave the rental unit swept clean as soon as possible. Generally you will not be permitted to use the storage facility’s garbage cans or Dumpsters. To find out when your nearest North Texas Self Storage facility is holding its auction, contact us!

What Can You Do With A Storage Space?

Posted on September 9, 2012 by ntselfstorage

We’ve been hearing some weird uses for storage spaces lately!

There are some reports of storage spaces being used as impromptu art galleries. There are even some reports of space being used as “man caves” where guys are getting together to watch sporting events without annoying the rest of their families. Hmm! Perhaps the most extreme use of a storage space we’ve heard about is one man in Stockton, who used a storage unit as the hub of his debt-reduction plan.

While living in an apartment in Carson City, Nevada, this 59-year-old veteran had racked up $30,000 in credit card debt. He decided to move all his belongings into a storage unit that cost about $200 per month to rent, and to live out of his truck! And, in fact, it worked: “‘It’s feeling good,’ he said, ‘and it’s working. That’s the thing: it’s working. Debts are down to almost zippo right now.’” You can read more of his story in this New York Times story here.

But, on a less radical note, you might think of using a storage unit to hold business inventory. A storage unit can be much less expensive than warehouse space, and we often have smaller retailers—especially people who sell on eBay and Amazon—who fill their storage spaces with shelves and bins. By keeping an organized inventory system and managing their shipping schedules efficiently, they are able to pop by their North Texas Self Storage unit, load up their vehicle, and head right to the post office. Easy and efficient… and smart!

Moving Stuff into Storage? Throw a Packing Party!

Posted on August 5, 2012 by ntselfstorage

Let’s face it. Packing boxes is a drag. But make it a party… and it becomes exponentially more fun.

Here are some tips to throw a great packing party.

Separate out your items into categories that will be packed together. If there’s anything that will make you weep if broken, pack it yourself now.

Make yourself a little list of tasks that need to be done: disassembling a piece of furniture, taking down framed items, wrapping dishes. That way, if someone asks what needs to happen next, you’ll be able to point him or her in the right direction.

Make a playlist with lots of crowd favorites: depending on your friends, you might choose Journey, Michael Jackson, Pet Shop Boys… but you can’t go wrong with “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” Just kidding. Know your friends and pick your music to rev up their energy.

Arrange for food that can be eaten with your hands and doesn’t require dishes. (And by all means, don’t use your own dishes that need to be packed up! This is THE time for paper plates.) The obvious choices are pizza and beer, but you might think about getting an assortment of sandwiches and a few bottles of wine instead… or maybe a Middle Eastern spread if you want to be really original. Do not be afraid to add cupcakes to the mix. The better your food, the more likely that people will be attracted to helping you, and the longer they’ll stay.

Gather together plenty of supplies: boxes, packing tape, packing materials such as bubble wrap and paper, labels, scissors, and Sharpie markers. Quality supplies are important… it just makes the job harder if people are struggling with dollar-store tape. (Seriously, why is that tape so terrible? Is it any more expensive to manufacture quality tape than frustratingly bad tape?) And have more than one tape dispenser on hand. It’s annoying to wait for one person to finish with the tape dispenser before you can use it. (And of course, most North Texas Self Storage locations sell quality packing supplies!)

Some other supplies that are very helpful:

pump soap, for all the dust that gets stirred up.
hair elastics for people with long hair
old shirts or clothing for people who’ve come dressed inappropriately

Let your friends know where to come help you—and, most importantly, what kind of food and drinks you’ll be offering as a bribe! Tell them in advance that there’s no set time they’re expected to help: 20 minutes, 2 hours, it’s all good. Even just having company makes it a lot more fun than doing it by yourself.

Climate-controlled vs. Non-climate-controlled Storage

Posted on July 30, 2012 by ntselfstorage

As we write this, it’s about 100 degrees in the North Texas area, and we’re glad we’re not personally out there moving a heavy dresser or a big-screen TV into storage right now. And if we were… wouldn’t a climate-controlled storage unit be nicer?

Well, you may not want to make your decision based on the weather forecast for one day. But here are some tips to help you decide.

First, here is a list of some items that people commonly store in a climate-controlled unit—that is, a unit that is generally kept between 55° and 80°F:

Paintings, lithographs, and other fine art
Heirloom leather or wooden furniture
Other antiques
Furs
Photographs
Musical instruments
Electronic media such as DVDS, CDS, LPs/records, cassettes, 8-track tapes
Cameras
Computers and computer parts
Audio and video equipment, such as televisions or stereos
Tools & machines
Products and supplies
Pharmaceutical samples & medical supplies
Archival documents, tax files, & other paperwork
Seasonal inventory
Craft supplies
Plastics

In most cases, non-climate-controlled storage is a fine choice for storing upholstered and wooden furniture. Wood furniture, upholstery. The main consideration for all items in non-climate-controlled storage is that you want to make sure there is no water or pest-attracting material present. Mattresses and box springs will also store fine in a non-climate-controlled unit, as long as they are resting on a pad or blanket. If you do have antique furniture to store, you may want to think about climate-controlled storage. It doesn’t happen to often, but continuous exposure to cold temperatures can cause some glues to fail.

On the other hand, if you are storing electronics that are under warranty, you may want to use a non-climate-controlled storage unit, since they can be replaced if by some chance heat or cold does affect them negatively. And if you are storing items that you need access to frequently, you may wish to choose a climate-controlled unit, so you can work in a more comfortable environment.

The bottom line: if it brings you greater peace of mind to store your items in a climate-controlled unit, by all means do so.

Self Storage and Small Business: A Perfect Match

Posted on June 6, 2012 by ntselfstorage

Landscaping and Construction Companies

Self storage is perfect for landscaping companies that have lots of large equipment to store! Drive-up self storage units with garage-style doors and outdoor vehicle storage (available at all North Texas Storage locations except for our Addison Airport Self Storage location) are convenient for storing expensive equipment for construction and contracting.

Pharmaceutical Reps

Pharmaceutical sales reps will find a perfect match with self storage, with climate control, convenient gate access and office hours, and of course easy access to their storage unit.

Auto Dealers

With convenient access and security provided by property managers who live and work on site and strategic security cameras, auto dealers will find find North Texas Self Storage an ideal location to store vehicles. For special situations like classic cars or high-end custom finishes, they may wish to choose a drive-up unit or even a climate-controlled unit.

Start-Up Businesses

So many people are working from home and starting their own businesses. Sharing your work space with family can be a huge challenge. A self storage unit can be an affordable and accessible solution. You can scale up or down as your business needs change, while you are in this experimental stage. Climate control can be important if you are storing paperwork or products, as factors such as heat, cold, and moisture can affect them. And if you plan on accessing the unit frequently, an interior unit will keep you out of the rain and other adverse weather conditions.

Other Small Business Needs That Can Be Solved With Self Storage

Office relocation furniture
Point-of-sale equipment
Plumbers, builders, plasterers
Archive storage
Import and export goods
Home stagers, who need to store furniture in between projects
Sales teams who need sample and product storage
Seasonal demand items such as Christmas merchandise
Tradeshow storage of banners, display booths and materials
Mobile business equipment storage

Benefits of Self Storage for Small Businesses

Self storage is available on a month-to-month basis, with no yearly leases required.
The rental rate for self storage units is generally less than the cost of office space.
Office space is better used to generate income than for storage.

How to Store: Important Documents

Posted on May 6, 2012 by ntselfstorage

Don’t let this happen to your important documents!

Self storage can be an important asset in protecting and preserving private information, but only if certain steps are taken. When planning to archive business or personal documents in a self-storage unit, be sure to consider these tips:

Tip 1: Make sure your selected storage facility has the right security features:

Does it have convenient operating hours for you and your employees to access your documents?
All North Texas Self Storage locations have hours that extend well beyond normal business hours.
Does it have a keypad entry system, security cameras, perimeter fencing, and good lighting?
North Texas Self Storage facilities do… as well as property managers who live and work on site, to add an extra layer of security.
Does it have climate-controlled units?
While this is not technically a security issue, extremes of temperature and humidity can destroy your documents, so a climate-controlled unit can be essential to protect them. All of our locations except for Addison Airport Self Storage offer climate-controlled units.

Tip 2: Pack documents securely and safely:

Make multiple backups of all stored documents and keep them offsite in a separate location. Digitization and storage in the cloud storage is a good idea if possible.
If appropriate, use locked file cabinets or fire safes.
When saving CDs or DVDs, use password protection.
To prevent shifting during transport and lifting, fill boxes to the top. However, a packed box should weigh no more than 30-50 pounds to be safe lifting. If a box will exceed this weight, use filler to pack it to the top.

Tip 3: Preserve your documents with proper storage:

Store boxes with the oldest or less often needed information at the back of the unit.
To prevent moisture from the cement floor from damaging documents, raise boxes off the ground with shelves, wooden pallets, plastic boxes, or layers of cardboard.
Use plastic boxes with lids when appropriate, to prevent mildew and water damage. Note: contents should of course be COMPLETELY DRY before sealing!
Use packing paper instead of newspaper. It looks and acts similarly, but newspaper print can transfer to your documents, and packing paper is unprinted.
Consider anti-static packaging for videotapes, DVDs, CDs, or other electronic media.
Label boxes clearly using waterproof labels and markers.
Don’t store documents like original copies of a will/birth certificate/marriage license in a storage unit. You can rent a safe deposit box at your credit union or bank, and keep one key while giving the box inventory and location to an attorney, relative, or close friend. Original copies of a will should be stored with your lawyer, in case your safety deposit box is sealed after death.

If you do have any questions, the friendly and knowledgeable property managers at any of the 7 North Texas Self Storage locations in Addison, Carrollton, Coppell, Dallas, Denton, Lewisville, or Oak Cliff can give you the guidance you need.

The True Cost of Moving

Posted on April 6, 2012 by ntselfstorage

They say moving is one of the most stressful experiences a person can have, right up there with death and divorce. I fully believe it.

When moving, you must ask yourself if you’re going to hire a professional moving company or do all the work yourself. DIY seems like the cheaper option at first glance… but not when you add in an emergency room visit when you’ve thrown your back out, or the cost of a new armoire, which you shattered into a hundred pieces.

The key is to be thorough in your planning and research, and you can be confident you’ve made the most cost-effective decisions.

Before You Move

Consider the potential expenses that can be incurred with a long-distance move to a new state or climate:

Cost of living
Sales, income, and property tax rates
Driver’s license, title, and registration fees
Parking fees
Increased auto insurance premiums
Travel expenses to visit friends or family
Increased heating or cooling bills in more extreme climates
More expensive home or car maintenance in more extreme climates
Costs to maintain your previous house and mortgage payments if you have it put it up for sale

Of course, it’s impossible to avoid many of the expenses associated with moving, but understanding them and planning for them helps you avoid sticker shock and plan appropriately. Here are some factors that movers use when determining their estimates. By being aware of them in advance, you can potentially avoid some surcharges by doing some legwork yourself, or you may negotiate a better price.

Specialty items: any of the following large, unwieldy items can be considered a specialty item: big-screen televisions, grandfather clocks, pianos, pool tables, armoires, sleeper sofas, aquariums, marble/granite/stone items, safes, antiques, hot tubs, waterbeds, front load washers, stainless steel appliances (because of potential dings), live plants, weight equipment, and assembled particle board furniture (because it can fall apart so easily)
Stairs: do you have a multistory home or an apartment without elevator access?
Long carries: this fee may come into play if the walking distance from moving truck to front door exceeds a certain threshold—for example, at an apartment complex with limited access
Shuttle trucks: these may be needed if the main truck is too large to access the property being moved, because of narrow alleys or driveways or low-hanging wires
Disconnect fees: home appliance disconnection and reconnection
Packing materials: boxes, shrink wrap, packing tape, bubble wrap, packing materials

Be sure you know what the moving company is including in its base rate, and what is considered “extra” before you sign any agreements. I once had a mover completely fabricate extra items after the move—this could have been avoided if I had made the mover come to my property to inventory any problematic items beforehand. If any of your items falls into the “specialty” category, you may wish to move it yourself to save yourself both money and potential heartache.

If you do decide to save money by moving yourself, make sure you consider all of the extra expenses you’ll have to pay as well. These may include:

Truck rental
Boxes
Packing materials
Fuel costs
Meals
Lodging/hotels
Meals/beverages/lodging for any friends helping you with your move

Self Storage and Moving

If you need storage space before your move (as you might, when staging your house for sale) or after your move (when living in a temporary apartment while searching for a larger, permanent home), be sure that items are packaged well and stored in a secure self storage facility. Next month we will be doing a blog post about how to store appliances, including a number of factors you might not have considered. Click the “storage tips” category here for more resources to help you pack and store your property correctly in order to prevent expensive damage.

When storing furniture, appliances, paperwork, or other items susceptible to damage from extreme temperature or humidity changes, you might want to choose a climate-controlled self storage unit. When you consider that the alternative is replacement of your damaged or destroyed property, the small extra cost is well worth it. If you do have any questions, the friendly and knowledgeable property managers at any of the 7 North Texas Self Storage locations in Addison, Carrollton, Coppell, Dallas, Denton, Lewisville, or Oak Cliff can give you some advice!

Spring Cleaning with North Texas Self Storage

Posted on March 7, 2012 by ntselfstorage

Inspired to dive into your spring cleaning by this beautiful weather we’re having here in North Texas? We have some helpful tips for you here at North Texas Self Storage!

1. Organize

Sort the clutter in your overstuffed closets and overflowing cabinets. Label 5 big boxes: Keep, Donate, Recycle, Trash, and Store.

Make the transition from cold weather to warm weather living:

Remove the flannel sheets and heavy blankets, wash them, and box them up. Replace them with lighter cotton linens.
Take your outdoor furniture out of storage so it’s ready for that first spring barbecue.
Box up cold weather clothing and bring out warm weather clothing.

Try changing up the layout of your furniture to redecorate.
As you put away items from your “Keep” box, use labeled bins and boxes to keep like items together so you can find them easily.
Now that you’ve done a little reorganizing, you may find that you don’t have room for some pieces of furniture.
With a self-storage unit at one of our North Texas Storage locations, you can keep items that you are not ready to get rid of safe and well-preserved.

2. Clean

Vacuum and clean upholstered items.
Polish wooden items.
Vacuum all dust.
Repair any problem areas (tears, nicks/scratches, rust spots, loose parts, etc.)

3. Store

If you don’t have a lot of storage space in your home, a self-storage unit at North Texas Self Storage can be a great solution.

Storage units are safe and accessible any time of the year. They are especially useful for decorations, clothes, or bedlinens you may only use once a year.
North Texas Self Storage has moving and packaging supplies for sale at most locations to keep your furniture and other possessions well-preserved and undamaged.

Self-storage can be a fantastic way to store your belongings and keep your home clean and clutter-free!