Self-storage in Mountain View can help you keep your home organized without having to give up possessions you love, from seasonal decorations to your book collection. However, getting the most from your storage unit means packing it the right way. Resist the urge to off-load boxes as quickly as possible when you’re moving into your unit, and instead, set it up so that you can easily access everything in the unit any time you need it. Protect your property and prevent headaches with these do’s and don’ts.

Do Prepare the Unit Before You Move In

If your book collection is taking over your home, but you can’t bring yourself to part with your tomes, then self-storage in Mountain View may be the answer. By packing your books in the right way, you can preserve them for years to come.

Before you pack up your books, wipe them clean of any dust or dirt, and remove any bookmarks, which are acidic and can cause damage. Use small cardboard boxes for packing, so that they can easily be moved. Choose high-quality boxes, not store throwaways, so that the boxes don’t break down over time. Pack books tightly, to prevent shifting, and keep similarly sized books together. Stack books, rather than sitting them on their sides, which can lead to spine damage. Label each box carefully, so you know where to find a book when you want it. It can help to organize books in some way, such as by genre or author, before packing them. In the storage unit, keep boxed books on free-standing shelves instead of on the floor, where they could attract pests.

A piano is a cherished item that may stay in your family for generations. However, there may come a time when your home does not have the space necessary to store this large musical instrument. As you are reviewing your storage options in Mountain View , consider renting a self storage unit that is large enough to house your piano. By placing your piano in a storage unit, you can rest assured that it is in a safe and secure location. To help you prepare for storing your musical instrument, here is a look at some piano storage tips.

Prevent Dust Accumulation

Dust can cause significant damage to your piano’s keys and other delicate components. When you are preparing to store your piano, you will need to take the steps that are necessary to prevent dust from accumulating within your instrument. A special cloth pad can be placed over the keys to keep dust away. Before you cover your piano, take the time to ensure that it has been dusted thoroughly.

Clean and Polish the Surface

Before you move your piano into your storage unit, you will need to take the time to make sure that is has been properly cleaned and polished. Placing a dirty piano in storage can lead to the deterioration of its exterior surfaces over time. A special piano polishing product can be used to clean, buff, and protect the body of your piano. Once you have taken the time to clean any dirt or residue from your piano, you will be ready to start the moving and packing process.

Use a Protective Covering

Pianos are very delicate, and they can become seriously damaged if they are not moved with the utmost care. If you are planning on placing your piano into storage, consider investing in a protective covering that will prevent bumps, scratches, and other forms of damage. Along with protecting your piano during the move, the cover can provide another layer of protection against dust and humidity.

As your baby develops, he or she will eventually start to grow out of his or her clothing. In this video, you will learn some essential tips that will help you to prepare your baby’s old clothes for self storage in Palo Alto. Before you place old baby clothes into storage, take the time to ensure that they are totally clean and dry. You may also want to label each box with the name and age of your child.

A storage rental company can provide you with the space that you need to house all of your child’s extra stuff. By renting a storage unit, you can hang onto your favorite clothes and sentimental items for future generations.

While you may not always be able to plan ahead for a move, you may want to think carefully about what time of year will be best for your transition. Whether you are moving into self storage or a new home, there are certain times of year that may be better to make a move. A storage rental company in Mountain View will be able to provide you with a quality storage unit, no matter what time of year you choose for your move.

As you are choosing a season for your upcoming move, consider factors such as school, typical weather conditions, and the housing market. If you are a parent, moving during the school year may place additional strain on your children. Additionally, moving during the coldest months of winter or the hottest days of summer may make your move more stressful. To ensure an easier move, consider moving during the early fall, when the weather is mild and your children have not yet returned to school.

When a loved one passes away, you may be faced with the difficult task of sorting through their belongings. If your friend or family member has a storage unit near Mountain View, you will need to contact the storage rental company as soon as possible. Your storage unit company will be able to provide you with a prorated rental discount while you take the time to sort through the items that were left in the unit. Let’s take a look at what happens to a storage unit after the renter dies.

The storage center is contacted.

After a renter passes away, their next of kin will oversee contacting the storage rental company. Ideally, the initial contact will occur within weeks or months of the person’s passing. When the storage rental company is contacted, they will be able to start making the necessary arrangements to either clear out the storage unit or renew the contract in the next of kin’s name.

Unit access is granted.

You or your family members will need to be provided with access to the deceased’s storage unit rental. If your loved one provided you with access before he or she passed away, you will be able to find the storage rental location and unit number easily. If your loved one did not pass on this information, you may have to obtain special access from the rental company.

Rent is prorated or refunded.

A storage rental company will typically work with you to provide you with a prorated refund of the rental cost. Rather than having to continue to make payments on the price of the storage unit rental, you can typically receive a refund for the time remaining on the rental. If you have questions about clearing out a storage unit rental after a loved one passes away, do not hesitate to call your local storage facility.

In today’s digital world, more and more entrepreneurs are choosing to start businesses that are based out of the home. Online commerce sties, such as Etsy, make it easy to promote and sell your homemade goods. By renting a storage unit in Palo Alto , you will be able to expand your inventory and preserve the items that you have listed for sale. If you are looking for a great way to increase your sales, consider a booking storage rental at a conventionally located self storage facility in your area. Here is an overview of how self-storage can help Etsy sellers grow their businesses.

Keep a Larger Inventory

As your Etsy business grows more and more popular, you may find that you start to have keeping up with demand. Rather than crowding your home or garage with your excess inventory, you can keep all of your products in a storage unit rental. Depending on the size of your rental, you will have no problem storing enough stock to keep your Etsy shop supplied for many months.

Maintain Better Organization

The increased storage space that is offered at a storage rental facility will also help you to keep your business more organized. When you are attempting to store inventory, invoices, and other business items at home, it may be difficult to remain organized in a smaller space. When you first move into your storage unit, create an organization system that works for you.

Prevent a Crowded House

When you run a business from home, you will be juggling work and family life in the same space. Rather than crowding your home with boxes or piles of merchandise, you can clear out your living areas by renting a storage unit. Keeping your items in a storage renal unit will help you to prevent overcrowding your house with your extra inventory. Your family members are sure to be thankful once your extra items have been moved into storage.

As the summer season winds to a close, many students are gearing up to move into their college dorm rooms. This video from Meredith Grace provides essential tips and tricks for saving space in a dorm room. If your closet is crowded with clothing, consider doubling up your hangers and packing them in storage bags. A storage unit in Mountain View can also provide you with additional space for your college items.

If your son or daughter is getting ready to move into the dorms, consider renting a student storage unit . A storage unit rental will provide your college student with plenty of storage space throughout the school year and during the summer season.

After the birth of your first child, you may be surprised at the sheer volume of stuff that is required for parenting a newborn. As your child gets older, many of your essential baby items will no longer need to be used. Rather than donating or tossing these items, however, you may want to place them in a storage unit near Palo Alto . A storage rental company that offers mobile storage can house your baby gear for future children or grandchildren. Read on for a look at what new parents should know about storing baby gear.

Baby Clothes Should be Clean and Folded

When you decide to have another child, you can save time and money by reusing many of the baby clothes that were worn by your firstborn. To prepare your baby clothes for storage, you will need to clean and fold them prior to packing. Ideally, you should wash baby clothing in unscented laundry detergent, as strongly scented cleaning products can attract moths and other unwanted pests.

Baby Swings and Cribs Can Often Be Disassembled

Prior to placing larger baby items, such as cribs and swings, into storage, you may want to determine whether they can be disassembled. Many baby items are specifically designed to easily break down for compact storage. If you are unable to disassemble a larger baby item, it is a good idea to cover it with a drop cloth once it has been moved into the storage unit.

Baby Toys Can be Stored for Future Generations

If you have invested in quality toys for your young children, you may want to consider storing these items for use by future generations of your family. Once your children have grown old enough to have families of their own, they may be delighted to discover that you have kept some of their favorite childhood playthings. Long term storage will allow you to keep these items around for many years, without having to take up valuable closet space in your home.

The death of a loved one can be a very painful time for any family member. After your family member passes away, you may also be faced with the difficult task of sorting through his or her belongings. By renting a storage unit in Mountain View , you can safely contain your deceased family member’s belongings until you are emotionally ready to start the sorting process. A self storage company can offer you temporary storage during your time of grief. Read on for an overview of some strategies for going through a deceased family member’s belongings.

Hold On to Important Items

When you are going through your loved one’s personal belongings, you are sure to find many items that you want to keep. Some of these items may be valuable objects, while others may be small keepsakes that remind you of cherished memories. Allowing yourself to hang on to important items may provide you with a sense of comfort and condolence as you are processing difficult emotions.

Do Not Be Afraid to Let Go

While some of your loved one’s belongings may be emotionally or financially valuable, others may not be important enough to save. It is important to allow yourself to let go of certain items that are no longer useful or valuable. Before you decide to toss out an item, you can give your other family members a chance to decide whether or not they would like to keep it.

Consider a Storage Unit Rental

From making funeral preparations to mourning your loved one’s passing, the time after a family member’s death can be both emotionally and physically draining. A storage unit rental will provide you with the space that you need to hold on to all of your loved one’s stuff until you are ready to start the sorting process. You can rest assured that all of the belongings will be safe and protected once they have entered the storage unit.

If you are moving your belongings into a storage unit near Mountain View, you should take the time to pack your items correctly. This video from Chasing the Look will provide you with some quick packing tips to keep in mind during your move into a storage unit. As you are packing your boxes, you can label your boxes with painter’s tape for easy identification. Old towels and clothing can be used to protect delicate items when they are placed in boxes.

For more essential packing tips , contact a company that offers self storage in your local area. The professionals who work at a storage facility will be happy to provide you with more information about the best ways to pack up your stuff in preparation for a move.

At Independence Storage, we are highly committed to the satisfaction of our customers. When you rent one of our storage units near Palo Alto, you will benefit from our state of the art facility and convenient storage rental services. One terrific service that we are pleased to offer is our convenient online access system. Using our online tools, you can manage your account and make sure that your storage rental is meeting all of your needs.

There are several terrific benefits to our convenient online access system. As a customer, you will be provided with a secure login that allows you to take a look at your account and billing. Whether you need to make a payment or review your current account activity, our online tools make it easy to accomplish these tasks from the comfort of your personal computer or mobile device. Visit our website to learn more about our online tools and state-of-the-art storage facilities.

Decluttering your home may seem like an impossible endeavor at times, but it can be easily done when broken down into manageable parts. If you declutter one room or space at a time, then you will soon find your home is cleaner and more spacious than you thought possible. Take advantage of different storage options in Mountain View —such as a storage unit or storage shed rental—to help you declutter your home room by room. Here is a quick guide to help you declutter your home.

The Bathrooms

Your bathrooms are one of the most important areas of your home to declutter, because you can save a great amount of time during the morning and evening. It is important to regularly update your medications, skin care products, and toiletries. Decluttering these items can significantly reduce the clutter and free up space in your bathrooms.

The Closets

Your closets naturally become a place for extra storage, such as clothing, shoes, toys, bedding, and rarely-used items. Closets are an important area to declutter, because you often find clothing that no longer fits, has become damaged, or was forgotten about. You can also separate and store seasonal clothing in your storage unit to create more space.

The Office

Your office can quickly become a dumping ground for old files, mail, and random pieces of paper clutter. Decluttering the office might take a little more time than other areas of your home, because you will want to inspect each piece of paper before recycling or shredding it. Once you clear off your desks, place filing boxes in your storage unit, and declutter your working space, however, then you have more freedom to finish your projects.

The Garage

You may find yourself storing tools, recreational items, and large appliances in your garage. These items can quickly overtake your garage space and prevent you from parking your vehicles. Choose other storage options, such as a storage shed rental, to store these tools and appliances until you need them.

Independence Storage is devoted to giving our clients the most secure and safe storage unit options available. We want our clients to feel comfortable storing their most precious items with us, so they can enjoy a clutter-free home and peace of mind about the safety of their valuables. Let’s take a look at the security and safety features found with our storage rental company near Mountain View .

Each storage unit on our lot has a security alarm and fire sprinklers in case of an emergency. Clients also have individual keycodes to gain access into the self-storage facility through a security gate. In addition to these individual security measures, Independence Storage also provides on-site managers to watch over our entire storage facility. These security and safety measures help us to monitor each client’s valuables to ensure there are no thefts or damages. Learn more about our many security features by calling Independence Storage right away.

There are several items that you can move to a Palo Alto storage unit to free up space in your home . These items—such as seasonal decorations, heirloom furniture, and old tax files—take up much more space than you realize. By putting these items into a storage unit, you can devote this extra space to more important items. Read on to learn which items can be placed into storage to free up space.

Seasonal Items

You probably have several items that you only use for a couple months out of the year, and they take up much-needed space for the majority of year. Your seasonal items can be placed into a storage unit to free up space and prevent unnecessary damages. Seasonal items will include gardening tools, such as a lawnmower and shovels. Other seasonal storage items may include pool toys, holiday decorations, and winter and summer clothing.

Large Valuables

If you have valuable pieces of artwork, home décor, or heirlooms, then self-storage is the perfect option to keep these items safe and free up space in your home. Professional storage units are often more secure and free of common household hazards, such as flooding and pests. You will also have various storage options to choose from through a storage facility. Self-storage rental companies typically offer different-sized units, drive-up units, and climate-controlled units to provide you with the best options available. Storage units will also be protected by an on-site manager and individual access through a personal keycode.

Archived Files

Tax records, medical files, and insurance information can take up a lot of room in your office space and filing cabinets. You can free up this space by decluttering all of your paperwork and placing the necessary files into filing boxes that will be held in a storage unit. These important files will be better protected against flooding and fire damage, and you will have much more space in your office to work on other important projects.

It is important to maximize all of your storage options in Palo Alto. You can store large furniture, artwork, and moving boxes in your storage unit. However, you can also utilize certain storage options around your home. Continue reading to learn some easy storage options around your house.

As seen in this “Clean My Space” video, you can use stacking shelves in your kitchen and bathroom cabinets to maximize all of your storage space in these areas. You can also hang up adhesive hooks in your utility spaces and around the house to store common household tools, such as a broom and step stool. Consider hanging shoe storage options to hold extra shoes, jewelry, and clothing accessories as well.

Moving to a new home can be a stressful process, but there are many ways to help ease the stress and make moving easier for you and your family. Using temporary storage near Mountain View is one way to take off some pressure to move items right away or store belongings you are not ready to part with. Let’s take a closer look at how self-storage can ease your moving process.

The moving process involves a lot of organization. In addition to organizing your daily life to move from one place to another, you must organize the furniture, decorations, dishes, and personal belongings in your home. You can make this process much easier by renting a storage unit throughout the moving process. For example, if you must wait to move into your new home, then you can store many of your belongings into temporary storage until you can move into your new home. If you need to move right away, then you use temporary storage to keep items safe until you have the time to sort through them. Self-storage gives you more control and eases the moving process for you and your family.

If you need a professional and secure self-storage unit, then there are certain features to look for in your Mountain View storage rental company . Tight security measures and customizability are incredibly important to the safety of your items and their housing. When you choose a storage location and storage units with excellent security features and expansive units, then you can feel more secure in your chose of storage rental company. Continue reading to learn the important features needed in a self-storage facility.

Excellent Security

Security is one of the most important features to look for in your self-storage facility. You must feel confident that you can store your treasured heirlooms and belongings in a secure location. The most secure self-storage facilities will have on-site managers to monitor all of the units and the property. Facilities should also keep the property protected with gates and individual electronic key pads. These security measures will ensure that only you can access your items, and you can feel safe and confident in your self-storage facility.

Expansive Units

Stored items have a way of expanding, especially as you continue through your life and gather more mementos and personal items. You need a storage unit that can accommodate your growing amount of storage. Quality storage facilities and storage rental companies will rent out a variety of storage sizes to suit your needs. These units should have high ceilings to give you the maximum amount of space in whichever unit size you choose.

Customizable Billing

A great self-storage facility will give you many options in storage units and billing. There are many different ways to pay, such as weekly, monthly, and annually. In addition to versatile payment options, you can work with your storage manager to find the right price for you. A storage rental company should be dedicated to giving you as many billing and storage options available. Look for the facility that places a priority on your comfort and peace of mind.