During your lifetime, you will no doubt gather many important and valuable documents. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to store these items without putting them at risk for water damage and other unforeseen problems. When storing meaningful papers, there are some steps you should take to ensure their integrity. If you are looking to store files or papers at a high-quality storage unit in Palo Alto, here are some useful tips to consider.

Choose the Right Storage Unit

Paper and similar materials last much longer in environments that are not susceptible to humidity or heat. With that in mind, you may want to find a storage unit rental that has a controlled environment with temperature and humidity regulation. Damp and humid areas are a problem because they attract pests and promote mold growth, which can both damage your papers.

Avoid Well Lit Areas

When looking for a self-storage facility, try to find storage units that do not have windows or a lot of light. Depending on what the material is, documents can easily become damaged by an excessive amount of light, and this damage is impossible to reverse. Inks will fade and the paper itself will degrade, which means it is imperative to store these materials in a place where light will not be a problem. Storing your documents in secure, solid boxes can also help to protect them from damage due to light.

Use Folders and Boxes

This might seem obvious, but one of the best ways to protect your valuable documents is to place them in folders and boxes. Portfolios, envelopes, and standard file folders will keep your files safe from potential damage. Add an extra layer of protection by placing these files into boxes that will keep them safe and protect your paper documentation from deterioration.

Whether you’re running out of space for your valuables at home or you just need to keep a few items in a safe place, storage units can be very useful for a variety of purposes. If you are considering the benefits of a high-quality storage unit in Palo Alto, here are a few reasons to take the next step.

If you have several prized possessions that are taking up too much room at home, a storage unit rental can be used to clear some space. In addition, there may be times when you need to move to a smaller residence, and in those cases, a storage unit can be a great way to hold onto valuable items. There are also some cases in which certain possessions are not used as much as others. Putting these possessions in storage will help to ensure that you always have access to them while reducing clutter in your home. If you want to get the most out of your possessions, consider using a self-storage facility near you.

If you have artwork that needs to be put in a storage unit, you will want to make sure that it is properly stored, as art is prone to damage from temperature changes and leaking water. A reliable self-storage facility in Palo Alto will help you prevent these issues, but you should be sure to add an extra layer of protection to your valuables by preparing them properly. Keep your treasures safe and secure with these helpful tips.

Properly Clean Your Artwork

Although many people forget to take this step, it can actually help to keep your art in good shape. Use a microfiber cloth to remove dust and debris from your art before storing it, especially if it has any fabric whatsoever. If your piece features any metal framing or metallic objects, you may also want to consider treating the metal with oil to avoid any potential rusting. Wooden frames should also be protected with wood polish.

Protect Your Framed Pieces

You can further protect your framed works by adding cardboard corners to the edges of each frame. It can also be helpful to wrap something like bubble wrap or even a blanket around the entire piece. These measures can help to protect your valuables against unforeseen accidents during the moving process. Wrapping the art pieces in plastic before placing them in your storage unit rental can help to protect them from any moisture or water damage.

Preserve Unframed Art

If you’re working with unframed paintings, it is highly recommended that you do not roll them or wrap them with blankets or bubble wrap, as this could cause creases and cracking in the piece. Instead, use glassine to protect these valuables, as it will keep them dry and in good condition. When storing these pieces in a storage unit, it is generally a good idea to place them between two sturdy pieces of furniture or framed artwork that are unlikely to fall and cause damage to the unframed art.

One of the most common concerns with moving is the possibility of lost or damaged items. Keeping track of your belongings is especially important if you’re planning on using a storage unit rental in Palo Alto because nobody wants to be digging through boxes at a storage facility to make sure they didn’t lose anything.

It’s often difficult to keep track of everything you own, so you may not even notice that something is missing until it’s too late. Thankfully, this app will help you to organize everything you have packed to ensure that nothing gets left behind. With the Moving Day app, you can record information including specific details about every item in each box in order to avoid any problems and further protect your property in a storage unit.

Moving can be stressful enough as it is without having to worry about items being broken or damaged during shipment and storage. In addition to looking for a dependable self-storage unit in Palo Alto, there are other steps that you can take to safely package your goods to ensure their protection. It’s easy to make a mistake in packaging that can make moving even more difficult, so keep these tips in mind to avoid problems during the process of moving.

Safely pack boxes

A well packed box will be easy to move from one location to another. For this reason, it is important to remember to keep boxes as light as possible. To avoid any struggles with heavy boxes, make sure to pack heavy items into smaller boxes while lighter items are packed into bigger boxes. If you do have to pack hefty valuables with delicate items, make sure to put your weighty items in the box first to avoid damage and use boxes efficiently.

Properly seal boxes

When you’re finished packing a box, it can be tempting to just put a few pieces of tape on the top and bottom and call it a day. However, depending on how heavy the box is, you will probably want to wrap both the bottom and top edges of the box in tape to ensure that the package is secure. This strategy can come in especially handy if you plan on storing any of your valuables at a storage facility, as it will protect them from potential water damage.

Label each box

While packing, it is a good idea to keep items intended for one specific room in the same box. Taking this approach allows you to label the boxes with not only the items inside, but also the room in which they will most likely be placed. Should you need to use a ground level storage unit, informative labelling will help you to keep track of everything you need to do in the moving process.

Although many people would like to have space for everything they own, sometimes it just isn’t feasible. In these cases, it could be time to consider a high-quality storage unit . However, before you go looking for self-storage facilities near Palo Alto, you might want to consider whether self-storage meets your needs.

A storage unit isn’t the perfect answer for everybody, but it can be extremely useful in the right circumstances. If you have a lot of valuables that you intend to make use of in the future, but which are currently just taking up space in your home, using a storage facility to keep them safe is probably a good idea. On the other hand, if you have a lot of items that you’ll probably never use again, storing them probably won’t be convenient. Depending on the facility you choose, a storage unit may be convenient for storing items that you access on a weekly or monthly basis, or that you access even less often. If you need to access your belongings daily or many times per week, visiting a storage unit may add too much time to your usual routine.

Wooden furniture is treasured for its rustic style and reliability, but it is also susceptible to damage from water and other environmental factors. In addition to looking for a reliable storage facility in Palo Alto, there are other steps that you can take to ensure the longevity of your wooden items. When it comes to the storage of these pieces, it is a good idea to make sure that your furniture is prepared for any possible concerns. With that in mind, here are three methods for protecting your wooden furniture.

Avoid potential water damage

If water should somehow make its way into your storage unit, it may come through the door. Because of this, it is recommended to keep your wooden items away from the door and disassemble them whenever possible. You might not think it’s important to disassemble something like a wooden bed frame, but the furniture is large enough that it might otherwise be difficult to fit in a self-storage unit. Taking the item apart will allow you to save space and protect it from water damage.

Keep wood from drying out

Whether you’re in a dry climate or you foresee long stretches of hot and dry weather, prepare for the possibility that your wood could dry out and lose its luster. Avoid this problem by cleaning your furniture before storing it and using wax to keep the moisture in. A lot of storage facilities are not climate controlled, so you should always take steps to protect your belongings from the effects of temperature fluctuations.

Wrap wooden items in plastic

For an extra layer of protection against environmental damage, you can use plastic to wrap up your wooden furniture. Plastic wrap will keep water from damaging wood and it will keep heat from depleting moisture. If your storage unit is not climate controlled, you may want to use twice as much plastic to cover your valuables. Whatever the storage situation may be, wrapping your wooden items in plastic is an excellent way to protect them from the weather.

If you’re putting fine china in a storage unit , you need to take extra care to make sure these fragile belongings come out in one piece. For starters, layer a compact box with packing peanuts. Wrap each piece of china individually using bubble wrap and place inside the box. Fill extra space between china with packing peanuts or crumpled newspaper. Finally, seal the box, mark as “fragile,” and use arrows to indicate which side is up.

Watch this short video for more tips on packing fine china and other fragile items. With these packing and moving tips, you’ll have no problem moving into your self-storage unit in Palo Alto. You can also find boxes, packing peanuts, packing tape, and everything else you need to pack up your belongings at a storage facility in Mountain View.

How to pack and move fragile items

It’s safe to say homeowners typically don’t daydream about moving into a smaller home, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t serious benefits of downsizing. Even if you can still afford to live in your large home, downsizing could be your ticket to a simpler and more comfortable life. And downsizing doesn’t mean getting rid of all your things, either—you can put your extra belongings in a storage unit in Palo Alto and access them whenever you’d like. Here are some of the top reasons to consider renting a self-storage unit and downsizing your home.

Less Home Maintenance

A smaller home is more conducive to a low-maintenance lifestyle. Smaller homes have smaller yards to mow, fewer rooms to clean, and overall fewer things that can go wrong and need to be repaired. You will also enjoy less home maintenance after putting most of your belongings in a self-storage unit. After all, furniture, electronics, and other belongings require maintenance too.

Be Closer to It All

Large homes on large pieces of land are often secluded and far from the center of the city. Although you may appreciate the seclusion and extra room while raising a family, you may find yourself craving a different pace of life after your children grow up and move out of the family home. If you want to be closer to restaurants, nightlife, and culture, consider downsizing your home and moving into a condo, loft, or small home downtown.

Save Money

Some life events, such as a divorce or unemployment, are unexpected and may force you to find a smaller home for financial reasons. In these cases, you can significantly reduce your monthly expenses by downsizing to a smaller home with cheaper rent. If you aren’t sure how permanent the situation will be, look for a self-storage facility in Palo Alto that offers prorated storage refunds for any unused portion of your monthly storage unit fee.

When life happens and you need a self-storage to keep your belongings safe and secure, work with Independence Storage in Mountain View . Unlike other storage facilities in Palo Alto, Independence Storage offers customized storage solutions to fit your unique needs. For example, customizable billing options for short-term and long-term clients and pre-payment discounts can make storing your belongings at Independence Storage more convenient and affordable than anywhere else. Independence Storage also offers storage refunds so you’re never stuck paying for a unit you no longer need, even if you decide to move out in the middle of the month.

Stop by Independence Storage today to see why more people in Mountain View and Palo Alto trust this storage facility than any other. You can also contact Independence Storage online to get a quote on a self-storage unit.

Whether you’re moving off to college and shaking up in a dorm, moving in with a friend, or renting out a room in your home, sharing your living space with someone who you aren’t romantically involved with can be difficult. Fortunately, there are things you can and steps you can take to make your living arrangement more comfortable. From something as obvious as renting a storage unit in Mountain View for additional space to difficult conversations about privacy and boundaries, here are some things you can do to be a good roommate.

Be Conscientious about Shared Space

Unless you’re moving into a huge home, sharing a living space with another person can quickly feel cramped and crowded. To give your roommate a bit of extra breathing room, do not overwhelm the apartment or dorm room with your belongings. If you have a lot of stuff and don’t want to get rid of any of it, rent a self-storage unit and keep your extra belongings safely stored away until your living arrangement changes.

Set Personal Boundaries

Although roommate conflicts are not entirely unavoidable, you can lower the stress and diffuse conflict before it arises by setting personal boundaries with your roommate in regard to each other’s belongings and personal space. Make sure you and your roommate are both on the same page regarding each other’s personal boundaries and you will find yourself in a rather enjoyable living arrangement. If you have any belongings that you don’t want to share for personal or sentimental reasons, you can keep them safe and secure in a storage unit.

Address Conflict Early and Honestly

When conflict does arise—and it will—address the problem head-on before things get any worse. Communication is the key to any successful relationship, including the relationship between roommates. Talk about your feelings and about what can be done to remedy the situation to keep your problems from escalating. Of course there is the possibility that things might not work out, in which case it pays to have your things in a storage facility in Palo Alto that allows for prorated returns on early move-outs.

Whether you’re moving a few items into a self-storage unit or moving all of your belongings to a new home across the county, staying organized is the key to a successful move. As your home begins to fill up with moving boxes, keep a home inventory sheep to keep track of your belongings and color code the boxes so you know which items are in which box. Simple organization tips like these are easy to accomplish and can save you lots of time and frustration during your move. Watch this short video clip from MyMove.com to learn more about these and other smart moving tips.

Home Inventory and Color Coding for an Organized Move

Your storage facility near Palo Alto will have everything you need to stay organized during a move. From packing tape and permanent markers to moving boxes and inventory sheets, you can find all the materials you need to pack up and prepare items for storage at Independence Storage.

If you’re always on the lookout for the best finds at your local antique shops, you’ve probably long run out of room in your garage for your collection. Fortunately, you can keep your old treasures safe and secure at a self-storage facility near Palo Alto. Having a dedicated space to store your antiques will clear up a lot of room in your home, and it’s also much safer than home storage. To make sure your antiques come out of storage as good as they went in, here are some tips for keeping your antiques safe in your self-storage unit.

Use the Right Packing Equipment

There are different types of packing materials you can use to keep your antiques safe. There are also special packing kits designed to keep fragile items from breaking during transport to and from storage. Purchase a glass pack or dish-saver kit from your storage facility in Palo Alto to protect your most fragile antiques. For larger items, use bubble wrap or a furniture pad to prevent scratches, dents, dings, and breakage.

Pack for Long-Term Storage

Even if you are looking into short-term storage, pack your antiques as if you were keeping them in storage for a long time. This means taking care to individually wrap each antique with newspaper or bubble wrap stacking boxes and furnishing carefully in the storage unit to preserve space. Not only will this level of care and attention keep your antiques safe while in storage for the short term, but it will also ensure that your belongings are ready for the long haul should you need the storage unit longer than you originally thought.

Keep Your Storage Unit Secure

Antique collections can be very valuable. To prevent someone from making off with your cherished belongings, double-check to make sure that you lock your storage unit after bringing something in or out. If you have a lot of items to move in or out of storage, close your unit each time you go back to your vehicle instead of keeping it open the whole time.

If you’re looking for convenient self-storage services in Mountain View at an affordable price, look no further than Independence Storage. Students, homeowners, and business owners in Palo Alto choose Independence Storage for all of their self-storage needs. What separates Independence Storage from other facilities in the area?

For starters, Independence Storage offers many different-sized units and customizable billing options for your convenience. You will also appreciate the fact that Independence Storage will give you a prorated refund if you decide to move out before the end of the month. As far as the facility itself, 10-foot high ceilings make it easier for you to fit more items into your storage unit. Electronic keypad access maximizes security and gives you peace of mind that your belongings are safe. Independence Storage offers convenient access seven days a week from 7am to 7pm every day of the year.

If you’re constantly looking for ways to make your life easier and more convenient, do yourself a favor and rent a self-storage unit near Palo Alto. A storage unit is a great alternative to parting with extra belongings or using valuable home space for storage. When organized and packed appropriately, a self-storage unit is also an easily accessible space that you can use as often as you need to—and not just once or twice a year to dig something out of a stack of boxes. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your storage unit.

Choose the Right Size Unit

Although you shouldn’t have to pay for the storage you don’t need, a little extra space can make it much easier to move around within the unit. Should your storage needs change in the future, having extra storage space will allow you to store a few extra items without having to move everything into a new unit or purchase a second storage unit. A storage facility manager near Palo Alto can help you determine how much space you need.

Use Good Quality Packing Materials

Even if you organize your belongings and pack your unit as efficiently as possible, your efforts won’t matter much if you use poor packing materials. Moving boxes should be sturdy enough to hold up for years in storage under the weight of the stack. Speaking of the stack, you will be able to arrange and organize your boxes much easier if you have standard-sized boxes as opposed to mismatched shapes and sizes (which is usually the case when you get boxes for free from supermarkets and department stores).

Keep a Storage Map and Inventory

If you want to get serious about self-storage, keep an inventory of everything inside your unit and a map of where each box or item is located. Not only will this help you quickly locate a belonging after months or years in storage, but a map and inventory will also help friends and family members find something should they be asked to retrieve an item from storage.

If you care about the security of your belongings, it’s important that you find the best storage facility in Palo Alto. What separates the great storage facilities from the rest? One thing you should look for is on-site managers who make sure your belongings are safe well after the gates close. Speaking of security, look for a storage facility that offers electronic keypad access. And because your storage needs can change suddenly, look for a facility that doesn’t require a minimum stay or penalize you for early move-outs. Watch this short video clip for more things to look for in a storage facility.

4 Signs of a Quality Storage Facility

You can find everything you’re looking for in a great storage facility at Independence Storage of Mountain View. Independence Storage has nearly two decades of experience offering secure, ground-level units for individuals in Palo Alto and the surrounding areas. There is no minimum stay at Independence Storage, and customized billing and payment options are available to meet your needs.

A self-storage unit in Mountain View can be used to store away all kinds of items. However, there are some things that you just shouldn’t put in storage. Whether for the sake of safety or for the benefit of your belongings, some items are better off stored in your home or special kinds of storage units. To help you prepare for renting a storage unit in Mountain View, here is a list of items and materials that typically are not allowed in storage. Call your self-storage facility ahead of time to find out specifically what you can and can’t put in storage.

Combustible and Flammable Materials

Gasoline, compressed gas, propane tanks, kerosene, and fertilizers are common examples of combustible and/or flammable materials that are considered inherently dangerous and not allowed in storage units. You also shouldn’t store fireworks, explosives, weapons, or live ammunition. Ask your storage facility for additional information on storing combustible and flammable materials, as your facility may have exceptions for certain materials.

Hazardous or Toxic Materials

In addition to combustible and flammable materials, hazardous and toxic materials are also considered inherently dangerous and usually prohibited from storage. Common examples of hazardous or toxic materials people usually mistake as safe for storage include cleaners, chemicals, paint, acid, motor oil, and grease. Your storage facility may be able to recommend hazardous or toxic material storage or disposal facilities in Mountain View.

Perishable Food

If you will be keeping canned food in storage, make sure the unit is climate-controlled to prevent the canned food from overheating and exploding or spoiling. Perishable food products such as cereals, produce, and meats should never be kept in storage, as these may spoil or attract pests. Ask your storage facility for specific information regarding climate-controlled storage for non-perishable food.

Moving into a storage unit in Mountain View isn’t the same as cramming your things in a closet. For starters, you want to avoid wasting space as much as possible. Use uniformly sized boxes to protect your goods and help you pack your unit in the most organized and efficient manner. Store lightweight items near the back of the unit and heavier items near the front, and plan around the amount of access you need to your unit and the belongings in storage. Keep a list and descriptions of all belongings in storage. Ask your insurance company and storage facility about insurance coverage for your stored belongings.

Your storage facility can share more tips for an easy and stress-free move into your new self-storage unit. You may be able to pick up all the supplies you need for an easy move at the facility, so call ahead before you drive all over town looking for moving boxes, packing tape, and bubble paper.

A cluttered home typically leads to a cluttered mind, which in turn can cause a cluttered life. Fortunately, there are storage facilities in Palo Alto that can help restore order by providing extra space to store your belongings. So, how do you know if you could benefit from a self-storage unit? If you recognize any of the following signs, contact a storage facility in Mountain View.

You Can’t Use Your Garage

If you have a two- or three-car garage, it was probably one of the biggest selling points when you first bought your home. And while it’s perfectly acceptable to use your garage as storage, you’re missing out on the great benefits of using your garage for your vehicles. Not only will storing vehicles in a garage preserve their condition, but it will also prevent theft and vandalism. If your garage is full of boxes and items you don’t need on a regular basis, place them in a storage unit and start getting the most out of your garage.

You Can’t Easily Find What You Need

Are you always searching for something you need only to find something you don’t? Having a lot of stuff in your home can cause your life to become disorganized and cluttered, which can make it hard to find good spots for the things you use on a daily basis. Streamline your space by placing rarely used items in a self-storage unit. You’ll be amazed by how much time and frustration you’ll save once you can actually find what you need!

You Aren’t Ready to Part with Your Things

What other people see as junk maybe some of your most valuable possessions. If your closets are overflowing with things, you really only have three options if you want to organize your space: donate your belongings, hold a yard sale, or put everything in storage. If you aren’t ready to part with your things just yet, you can keep them and clear up your space with a self-storage unit.