teddy on the floor

4 Impactful Reasons To Use a Self-storage Service

In need of some space for your personal items or business products? Maybe it’s time to go for a self-storage subscription!

Self-storage service is a convenient, clean, and safe way to store your belongings. Whether it’s for personal or business matters, you can place all your belongings and assets in this safe storage unit. 

Read on as we give you the top four reasons people are shifting to self-storage units to have the extra room they need.

1. Self-Storage Provides Better Security

Houses that are not fully protected from robbery may need the security provided by self-storage units. A self-storage rental unit is fully-equipped to keep your valuables safe. They are typically well-secured with CCTVs, a gated entry, security fences, locks, and a 24/7 security team.

Surveillance cameras can detect unauthorized people who will try to steal. Most storage facilities have advanced security systems to help protect your items. Access Mini Storage Ltd offers you the advantages of both added security and extra storage room for a reasonable cost.

2. Self-Storage Reduces Clutter

If your home is full of mess, decluttering may be the best way to free up space and boost your quality of life. If muddle dominates your house, it may weigh heavy, distract and affect your ability to focus.

Decluttering boosts your mood, reduces stress, and even helps you sleep well. So a self-storage facility is the best place to keep your extra belongings and to have them out of sight and mind.

3. Self-Storage Helps Businesses

Most businesses use self-storage units to reduce and maximize office areas. A self-storage service can be beneficial to:

  • Keep extra commodities during peak seasons
  • Keep samples, products, or business stock surge
  • Keep seasonal goods in off-peak seasons, like Christmas items
  • Store or move excess office furniture or unused equipment
  • Archive old things or business files
  • Protect things during a natural calamity or emergency like a fire, flood, or storm

Usually, hiring a storage unit is more affordable than leasing out an extra room or office to store any surplus business equipment.

4. Self-Storage Is Cost-Effective

The price of a self-storage service is much more reasonable compared to the expense of losing your personal effects or business files. Yearly, people pay the price for their mistakes of keeping items in insufficient areas. A self-storage investment will store your valuables in safe vaults that will be flood and fire resistant, unlike in a moist basement or attic. 

Many self-storage buildings are in valued sites where the retail price is on the map. Instead of paying for extra rooms to keep your belongings, you can move your things to a self-storage unit for as long as you need. 

Why You Need Self-Storage Service

It’s always best to stick with a reputable self-storage service like Access Mini Storage Ltd in Chilliwack. Are you looking to secure your things against theft and damage caused by hurricanes, fires, or floods? Do you plan to declutter your home and need a safe and secure space for your things? 

We offer the perfect storage solutions for your business and residential needs. Take a moment to contact us or visit our facilities in North Chilliwack, Central Chilliwack, and Sardis. 

Must-Have Packing and Moving Supplies and How to Use Them

Did you know that moving is one of the most stressful times in a person’s life? There’s a lot to handle, and there’s always a nagging worry that your precious items will be lost or damaged during the process.

Packing up for a move is arguably the most important part of the moving process. Improper packing can lead to broken or lost items and lots of heartbreak. Safe and secure packing leads to safe travels and fewer headaches.

If you’re about to move and are wondering what the best packing and moving supplies are, you’re in luck! We’ve written a quick and handy guide to the must-have moving supplies. Read on to learn more!

Moving Boxes and Packaging

A lot of people think that they can just use old moving boxes or packing supplies, but this is not the safest or smartest way to pack. If you want to make sure that your move goes smoothly, it is important that you invest in high-quality packing and moving supplies.

In order to find the best kind of cardboard box for your needs, you should think about how much weight the box will hold and how many items can fit inside of it. The overall strength and thickness of the box are also important.

Tape

Not all tape is created equal. In order to properly secure your moving boxes, you need to make sure to use tape that won’t give out.

Shipping tape is the kind that you would find at a shipping supply store. It is thin and only meant to hold a box together long enough to ship it.

Ideally, you should add packing tape to your moving supplies list. Packing tape can withstand temperature/humidity changes and rough handling, so it is a much better choice for sealing your moving boxes.

Packing Fragile Items

For items such as crystal dishware and other breakable knickknacks, make sure that you pack smart. Put heavier items at the bottom of the box, and make sure that there is no extra wiggle room by filling empty spaces with wadded-up packaging paper.

Make sure that the boxes and packing supplies you use are heavy-duty. Thin-walled boxes do not provide enough impact protection for your fragile items. Sealing the bottoms of your boxes with an extra layer or two of tape is also a good idea.

Bubble wrap is a must-have for packing fragile items. Wrap the items in bubble wrap and fill any voids with wadded-up wrap as well. Make sure that the sides of the box are also well-lined in bubble wrap.

Other Packing and Moving Supplies

Besides boxes, packaging, and tape, you also should consider some other handy items. Moving blankets are a great item for moving furniture, as they can protect the wood from scuffs and dents.

Moving dollies will save both your time and your back. You can take multiple boxes in one trip without having to lift and carry them. A packing tape gun can also save you lots of time while sealing your boxes.

Shopping for Packing Supplies

Moving is never cheap or easy but buying everything you need in one stop is a huge timesaver. Avoid ordering supplies online, as they tend to be of dubious quality and have high shipping charges.

If you’re looking for packing and moving supplies, Access Mini Storage offers a full assortment of boxes, tape, and other moving necessities. And if you need to store your items for a while, we also offer many self-storage options for your needs. Call Access today at (604) 824-0030 or contact us online to find out what we have to offer!

Items That Are Banned From Self-Storage

More than 400,000 people move to Canada each year.

The process of relocating can be exciting yet stressful. After all, there’s never enough time to get everything done. And yet you have tons of details to juggle while uprooting your life.

Sometimes you don’t have room to take everything at once. Or perhaps you just temporarily need a little extra space at the house. That’s why Access Mini Storage units are so helpful. The key is to be aware of banned self-storage items you can’t keep in your unit.

Here we take a look at the most common items not allowed in storage. Keep reading to learn more.

Illegal Items

 

The first category of items not allowed in storage facilities is anything illegal. This includes everything from smuggled weapons to stolen goods. Keep in mind that law enforcement officials can easily obtain warrants to search your storage unit.

It’s also important to remember that storage facilities are monitored by security cameras.

Perishable Items

 

The management team at the storage facility where you rent should warn against storing items that can perish. This includes food that can spoil and start smelling and organic material.

Why is this a big deal? The bad smells will attract animals and pests that can be annoying or dangerous. That’s why you should also never store items like aquariums with live fish, or any type of human or pet foods, even when stored in sealed bags.

Flammable Items

 

It’s no secret that flammable items are extremely dangerous. This includes flammable products like gasoline, grease, oil, cleaning chemicals, propane, ammunition, fireworks, etc.

Keep in mind that when flammable products ignite, they can cause expensive damage to the items inside your storage unit as well as other units at the same facility.

Live Plants

It’s never a good idea to store live plants inside a self-storage facility. After all, plants need plenty of sunlight and water in order to survive. Thus, they won’t survive very long in total darkness.

The best strategy is to give them away before moving or take them with you to your new home.

Live Pets

Never attempt to store living animals inside a storage facility. Doing so is dangerous and unhealthy.

Toxic Items

Storing items that are toxic can create serious health hazards. This includes any type of cleaning product, paint thinner, or kerosene.

People

Please remember that a storage facility is not designed or intended for human habitation. Thus, you should never attempt to live inside one or allow someone else to live inside your rented storage unit.

Your Guide to Banned Self-Storage Items in Chilliwack

Moving to a new home is both fun and exhausting. The key to a positive experience is to eliminate as much clutter as possible by renting a self-storage unit. Fortunately, this guide to banned self-storage items will help prevent an embarrassing situation.

Please feel free to contact us today at Access Mini Storage in Chilliwack to learn more about our self-storage facility.

 

organizing a cluttered storage unit

Tips for Getting the Most Space Out of Your Storage Unit

As a collective, humans own too much stuff.

Most of us are collectors, who hold on to items out of security, or sentiment. There are no guidelines as to how many material objects we should keep, though the size of our living space usually helps to inform how much stuff is comfortable.

So, where do we put it all? For those who don’t have the luxury of a giant home with extra storage or a basement fit for boxes, where do we put all of our collections, keepsakes, and extra furniture? What do we do when we’re ready to downsize?

We recommend a clean, secure, and organized storage unit. How do you make sure to fit all of your items into one tight space? Read on– we have a few tried-and-true recommendations.

Make an Inventory of Items

Make an inventory of the items you’re storing in your storage unit. That way, you can always reference this list when you need to find and pull items out of your unit.

Label Boxes with All Contents

Even if you think you’ll remember what you put in that box, we promise you won’t. Make it easier on yourself and write down exactly what you put in that box with a dark, permanent marker.

Store Items in Uniform Containers

If you use boxes or containers that are all the same size, you’ll find it much easier to stack and arrange containers on multiple levels. This will also keep your storage unit much safer as your stacked boxes will be less likely to topple if they’re properly balanced.

Map Out Storage Space

Strategize where similar items belong. Using aisles, plot out where each section makes sense in relation to the entrance. Once you’ve established location, draw and label everything out on paper for future reference (graph paper works great for this).

User Clear Containers

What’s better than clearly labelled boxes? Containers that are clear and allow you to see inside also tend to be more secure than traditional cardboard boxes. The plastic materials will keep your items clean and safe from moisture and dust.

Store Furniture Correctly

We recommend storing large items on their side or upside down. Disassemble furniture whenever possible in order to avoid awkward shapes taking up unnecessary space in the unit.

Keep Frequently Used Items Close

Keep items you may need to come back to close to the entrance. This way, you’ll be able to get to them without rearranging your entire storage unit and wasting precious time.

Use Shelves or Storage Lockers

Add shelves to store small boxes, kitchen appliances, and items you’d like off of the ground. Once you had shelving space, your available square footage increases dramatically and naturally becomes more organized.

Your Next Storage Unit

Access Mini Storage is dedicated to providing secure, heated self-storage options for Chilliwack.

With three secure locations located across the city of Chilliwack, the Access Mini Storage team promises to offer you the right storage solutions for both your residential and commercial needs.

Contact us today to learn more about our available self-storage unit sizes.

 

heated mini storage units

Heated Storage Units vs. Standard Storage Units

When you rent a storage unit, your biggest concern is probably security. For good reason–you want your personal belongings to be in a safe location.

But a lot of people overlook the conditions that standard storage units provide. This includes a lack of protection from extreme temperatures. Customers can sometimes neglect to consider the effects of temperature on their belongings.

If you live in an area like Chilliwack where temperatures can drop below freezing, heated storage units are a must. The information below explains how heated storage works and specific situations where it is essential. It lays out how this feature can help preserve your items so that you can determine if it is the right upgrade for your storage needs.

How Do Heated Storage Units Work?

Heated storage units become fully operational in colder months when the temperature drops, in order to safeguard your belongings and valuables from freezing. In heated storage facilities, forced air heating is used to keep warm, dry air moving throughout the building for all mini storage units.

One benefit is protecting temperature-sensitive items from the cold; the other is creating an environment that can better mitigate humidity levels as well. Humidity can damage items or lead to environments conducive to mould and mildew growth.

The major advantage of heated storage units compared to standard storage is the protection for your items against the effects of extreme ranges of temperature.

Items That Need Heated Storage

If you live in a climate prone to extreme temperature fluctuations, delicate items in standard storage units could be in danger. For instance, extreme cold can make plastics brittle and prone to cracking. This can be a threat to electronics, including computer equipment, as well as appliances that have plastic parts.

Extreme temperatures can damage wood as well. This includes musical instruments, furniture, or other items.

Important documents and photographs also can become damaged from humidity and colder temperatures. Even clothes or other fabrics can develop mould or mildew in these conditions. In short, if you wouldn’t leave an item out in the cold weather, then you need a heated storage unit to protect it.

Find Heated Storage Units Near Me

Now that you have an idea of the advantages of heated storage units over standard ones, you can decide if they are right for you. You can have the peace of mind that your items are secure and safe from the harmful effects of extreme cold temperatures.

At Access Mini Storage we have over 1600 heated storage units in a variety of sizes, with state-of-the-art, 24/7 security. Contact us today for pricing, availability, or to learn more about our short- and long-term storage solutions at our storage facilities in Chilliwack.