Things You Should Never Put In Storage

/0 Comments/in /by

Storage lockers can be incredibly handy, especially if you’re the type of person who doesn’t like to get rid of things. However, it’s important to know what you can and can’t keep in your self-storage unit. While it might seem like a good idea to store certain belongings, be sure you think things through before locking up your storage unit. At Access Mini Storage in Chilliwack, we provide storage solutions that cater to all of your needs. Keep reading for a short list that outlines the things that you shouldn’t keep inside your storage locker.

Food
Regardless of whether your food is perishable or not, you should never keep it inside your self-storage unit. Keeping food inside an enclosed space is likely to attract insects, rodents and other critters to your storage locker. This could potentially affect not only your own locker, but also the entire facility should an infestation occur. Expired food could also lead to mould growth and the proliferation of dangerous bacteria inside your storage locker.

Live animals
It might seem crazy, but this needs to be said: you should never leave a live animal inside your storage locker. It doesn’t matter if you provide it with food and water or even if you go visit it every day; storing an animal inside a self-storage unit is against the regulations of most storage facilities and is also against the law. Not to mention the fact that it’s just downright cruel.

Hazardous materials
Anything that’s corrosive, flammable or possibly explosive should never been stored inside a storage locker. Not only is it incredibly dangerous, but it’s also against storage regulations in most storage facilities. Anything that has the potential to do substantial damage to your unit should never be kept inside. This includes the storage of firearms and ammunition. Not only is not safe, you’re also legally required to keep many types of firearms at the address indicated on the weapon’s registration.

Currency or valuables
A storage unit is not the ideal place to store cash or family valuables. While our facilities are very secure, a bank or a safety deposit box is far more suited for this type of storage.

Want to rent a secure locker of your own? Wondering how much it is to rent a storage unit? Call Access Mini Storage to find out! We provide storage units of all sizes as well as packing supplies to all of our clients around Chilliwack. Visit us here for more information regarding our services.

Mini storage in Chilliwack British Columbia

How to Prevent Moisture Damage in Your Self-Storage Unit

/0 Comments/in /by

Mini storage in Chilliwack British Columbia

Self-storage is a fantastic solution for storing belongings if you’re running out of space in your home. Using mini storage units in Chilliwack is also a great option for small business owners who need to secure important items. Before you get packing, however, the pros at Access Mini-Storage want you to know how you can prevent excessive moisture from accumulating in your Chilliwack mini storage unit.

Moisture can damage your valuables and important belongings by causing corrosion and promoting the growth of mold and mildew. Thankfully, by using the right packing supplies and taking the following simple precautions, you can help keep all of your items in good condition while in self-storage.

1) Prepare your belongings before storing them

When getting your items ready for mini storage in Chilliwack, make sure that they are completely dry. Any moisture and dampness, no matter how mild, can increase the humidity level in your unit. It’s a good idea to treat any fabric with a spray-on water repellent to prevent the formation of condensation beads.

The use of proper packing supplies will help to prevent moisture damage as well. Mattresses and furniture should be wrapped in furniture blankets and covered in plastic sheeting. It is also highly recommended that you use new cardboard boxes rather than old ones that have spent the past few years languishing in your basement.

2) Place moisture-absorbing materials in your storage unit

Another great strategy for keeping moisture out of storage units in Chilliwack is by using moisture-absorbing materials such as silica gel. Silica gel packets will do a great job of absorbing any moisture that is in the air. Charcoal is good at absorbing moisture as well, and it can be used to get rid of musty odours. You can even prevent moisture buildup in mini storage with kitty litter. Either pour it into an open container or simply leave an open bag of litter inside of your unit.

3) Check on your storage unit regularly

While your items will be safe and secure in self-storage, you should make it a habit to check on them once in a while. Regular checks will alert you to moisture buildup and allow you to change out your moisture-absorbing materials as well. Your items may be out of sight, but they shouldn’t be out of mind.

Heated Mini Storage in Chilliwack

Access Mini-Storage in Chilliwack, can provide you with the right packing supplies to help prevent moisture buildup as well.

By choosing one of our mini storage units and by following the three simple steps above, you can ensure that your stored items remain safe from the damaging effects of moisture. If you’re in need of convenient storage solutions for your home or business, then you can easily reserve a storage unit with Access Mini-Storage today.

8 Simple Storage Tips to Keep in Mind When Using Mini Storage

/0 Comments/in /by

Packing can seem deceptively simple. We all think we know how to do it, and then we just can’t seem to get anything to fit right. The storage pros at Access Mini-Storage Ltd. in Chilliwack have put together some useful tips to keep in mind when using mini storage:

Tip #1: Use similarly sized boxes for easy stacking

Try not to pack all of your belongings into an assortment of randomly sized boxes. It is a better idea to stick with a few basic sizes so that you will be able to easily stack similarly sized boxes on top of each other.

Tip #2: Don’t over-stuff the boxes

Boxes should be filled to capacity, especially if you plan on stacking them in your mini storage unit, but try not to over-stuff them. Over-stuffed boxes may break or burst, or can simply become too heavy to lift.

Tip #3: Use proper packaging materials

Speaking of boxes, make sure that the boxes you use are made of sturdy, high-quality materials. Don’t just dig some old crumbling ones out of your basement. Use bubble wrap to protect fragile items and proper packaging tape to make sure that your boxes stay closed.

Tip #4: Protect furniture with padding

You don’t want your furniture to come out of mini storage with damage because it wasn’t packed properly. Protecting your furniture is easy if you make use of padding in the form of bubble wrap, industrial grade plastic wrap, towels, comforters, and bed sheets.

Tip #5: Make use of labels

The importance of labeling your boxes cannot be overstated. You may know what’s in them now, but a few months from now when it comes time to find what you need you will likely have forgotten, even if you’re only keeping a few boxes in storage.

Tip #6: Disassemble large items

You can save a lot of space in your mini storage unit by disassembling larger items such as beds before storing them. Of course, you’ll need to make sure that you carefully pack and label all of the pieces so that you won’t have trouble putting your furniture back together again.

Tip #7: Consider which items you may need easy access to

Pack your mini storage unit smartly by giving some thought beforehand to which items you may need to access periodically. Place those items closer to the front so that you won’t need to go digging for them.

Tip #8: Get the right mini storage unit size

Though you should be trying to conserve space when using self-storage by getting the smallest mini storage unit for your needs, you should not be cramming it over capacity just to save a few bucks. Get a mini storage unit that will comfortably fit all of your belongings so that you don’t risk damaging them.

Access Mini-Storage Ltd. offers self-storage units in Chilliwack that range in size from 3×5′ to 15×25′, letting you store all of your belongings safely. Get in touch with Access Mini-Storage Ltd. if you have any other questions about our public storage facility, or if you’d like to begin renting a mini storage unit today.

5 Steps for Long-Term Furniture Storage and Preservation in Chilliwack BC

/0 Comments/in /by

There are a number of reasons why you may need to keep your furniture in long-term storage in a Chilliwack mini storage facility. Whether you are moving, downsizing, or simply need to clear up some space, a self-storage unit can keep your furniture safe until you need to access it again.

You should take a few precautions in order to make sure that your furniture is well-preserved while in mini storage. Here are the 5 strategies that we’ve seen work best for the storage units at Chilliwack’s Access-Mini Storage:

Step 1. Give all of your furniture a proper cleaning

It might seem counterintuitive, but it’s a great idea to give your furniture a thorough clean before putting it in mini storage in Chilliwack. Dirt, bacteria, mold, and mildew can all cause damage to your furniture if left to accumulate while in storage. Prepare your furniture by dusting it off, wiping it down with the appropriate cleaner, and letting it dry in a well-ventilated space.

Step 2. Disassemble large pieces

Transporting and storing your larger pieces of furniture in Chilliwack mini storage is going to be much easier if you disassemble them first. Take drawers out of dressers and tables, remove legs from tables and sofa, and disassemble bed frames. Stay organized by grouping your items together and making sure to set aside all nuts, bolts, and any other small pieces which you needed to remove.

Step 3. Use the right packaging materials

When you’re done preparing the furniture itself, it’s time to protect it with packaging materials which will keep it safe and in good condition. Bubble wrap is a good choice for breakable items such as lamps and mirrors, but plastic packaging materials should not be used for wood and fabrics as they can encourage condensation and mold growth. Using blankets, sheets, and other breathable covers will protect your items and allow air to circulate.

Step 4. Use storage space wisely

Don’t fall into the temptation to stack all of your items haphazardly on top of one another without giving organization much thought. You should aim to leave some space between pieces of furniture, both to allow for accessibility should you need something, and to allow air flow around them. Leaving enough space will also help ensure that you won’t damage anything when it comes time to remove it.

Step 5. Choose the right mini storage unit in Chilliwack

While some belongings can do fine in unheated storage, furniture (especially furniture containing wood or fabric) is best kept in a heated Chilliwack mini storage unit. Many people also often make the mistake of choosing a self-storage unit which is too small to comfortably house all of their items. At Access Mini-Storage our units range from 3×5′ to 15×25′, ensuring that you can find the right size for your needs.

You can contact Access Mini-Storage if you have any more questions about how to prepare furniture for long-term storage. Or, if you’re good to go, you can make a reservation for a storage unit in Chilliwack today.

4 Common Mistakes Made When Using Self-Storage

/0 Comments/in /by

Mini storage in Chilliwack is easily the best solution for clearing up household and office clutter. However, though it is an easy and convenient option, using a self-storage locker isn’t as simple as tossing all of your items inside and locking them away. The right storage methods will keep your items safe, while the wrong ones can cause damage.

Take it from the public storage experts at Access Mini-Storage in Chilliwack, here are 4 of the most common mistakes that people make when using self-storage:

Mistake #1: Storing perishable items

It is not advisable to store food or other perishable items in a Chilliwack mini storage unit. Even dry goods that may not go bad can still attract and become a food source for pests. If you need long-term food storage solutions, then it is a better idea to store other items in self-storage so that you have room for the food at home instead.

Mistake #2: Ineffectively distributing weight

Once you have all of your boxes packed up, taped up, and ready to go, you may be tempted to move them to your storage unit as quickly as possible with little regard for weight distribution. The problem is, however, that stacking heavier boxes on top of lighter ones can cause damage to your valuable items and can also pose a safety risk to anyone who enters the unit.

Mistake #3: Not taking the time to organize

As well as taking the time to stack your boxes so that heavier items sit on the bottom and lighter items sit on top, you should also make sure that your self-storage unit as a whole is well-organized.

Use the space in an efficient manner by stacking similarity sized boxes, leaving a pathway that will allow you to access all of your items, and leaving items that you may need more often in an easily-accessible location. Stack any chairs and store larger items, such as mattresses, in an upright manner.

You’ll also be very glad later on if you put in the time and effort to label all of your boxes before storing them away. Months, weeks, or even just days later you likely won’t remember where you put everything.

Mistake #4: Getting a storage unit that is too small

One of the easiest ways to damage the valuable items you plan to keep in mini storage is to get a unit that is not big enough to comfortably accommodate it all. Stuffing your items or boxes into too small a space can lead to much unintended bending, breaking, and cracking. It’s always better to initially get a size that is too large and downsize later, rather than having to upsize after you notice damage.

At Access Mini-Storage in Chilliwack you can request a storage unit that will comfortably fit all of your belongings. We offer self-storage units as small as 3×5′ if you only plan to be storing a few items, to as large as 15×25′ if you’re looking for a large, long-term storage solution.