Tag: Self Storage

Get The Best Bang For Your Buck: How To Save Money On Your Storage Unit

Posted on March 11, 2015 by Amanda Chambers - Storage

save money on your springfield self storage unit

Face it, spending money on self-storage can be a big investment, especially if you’re already on a tight budget. Sometimes it can be hard to justify the pressing need to have a little bit of extra space for storage. However, by making sure you’re getting the best deal you can more easily justify the cost of renting your very own Springfield self storage unit.

Go Through Your Items First

Once you’ve made the decision that you’re definitely going to need extra storage space it’s a good idea to go through your goods before taking them all to your storage unit. Otherwise you run the risk of filling up your storage unit. Think of this as a downsizing process.

When you have goods that are actually worth storing, then it makes sense to start the process of finding the perfect storage unit. When you see inside some storage units they’ve morphed into nothing more than a very expensive trash can.

Make sure you’re not wasting money by only storing those goods that matter.

Always Be On The Lookout For Discounts

A lot of times storage companies end up running seasonal discounts or other promotions throughout the year. It’s a good idea to consistently check in to see if you can secure a lower rate than you’d usually be paying.

Sometimes, in order to have you as a customer some storage companies will even you a few months free, so you can get comfortable with the service. Discounts may not always be on the table, but if you can find even a slight discount then the added effort will be worth it.

Use Your Space Effectively

If you want to use your storage unit efficiently, then you need to maximize the space you’re using. If you just stuff your unit randomly with everything you own then you may run out of space and need to invest in larger, more-expensive, storage.

Make sure you spend a little extra time packing and invest in any boxes that are going to keep your goods together and make them stackable. You’d be amazed at how much more space you have at your disposal with a little extra time spent packing strategically. By using proper packing form you can maximize the amount of usable space, which translates to money saved.

We believe in making self-storage work for you. We hope that if you’re interested in finding a storage solution that you consider Gateway Storage. We serve customers across the Alexandria, Woodbridge, and Springfield counties, as well as most of Northern Virginia.

Top Tips For Moving In The Cold Weather

Posted on January 27, 2015 by Amanda Chambers - Storage

Photo Credit: MIKI Yoshihito (´･ω･)

When most people are picking a time of year to move they usually don’t choose the winter. However, every person’s situation is different and sometimes you have to move during a less than ideal time. Rather than dwelling on your situation it’s much more productive to simply get the show on the road.

In this post we’re going to dive into our tips to make sure your move is as flawless as possible, even in the winter months.

1. Always Make Safety A Priority

Safety should be your biggest concern when moving during the winter. Throughout the winter you have to worry about ice and slippery conditions both on and off the road. As well as when you’re moving goods into your Woodbridge storage unit.

If you’re moving things yourself, are working with a moving company, or are having friends and family help make sure you take them time to shovel the sidewalk and make sure it’s free of any ice. This will help you avoid any accidents that could happen from people slipping and falling.

2. Take Extra Care When Packing Some Items

You’ll need to pack some items differently, or keep them out of the cold entirely. Having some items sit in the back of a cold moving truck for an extended period of time can potentially ruin them. For example, some wooden pieces of furniture shouldn’t be stored in freezing cold temperatures for an extended amount of time, as it will cause the wood to change shape.

If you are moving a lot of wooden items and pieces of furniture, then you should take extra care in making sure they’re properly wrapped and protected from the elements.

3. Consider Warmth And The Environment

If it’s cold out the day of your move, make sure you take extra care to cultivate a warm and nurturing environment. This might not seem like a big deal, but it will help the moving process unfold in more seamless manner.

For example, you could prepare hot drinks, such as hot chocolate and coffee for the movers and any friends who may be assisting. It’s also important to have enough warm clothes for when you’re moving back and forth from your home to the truck. The more comfortable everyone is the more enjoyable the process will be.

4. Always Exercise Caution

Lastly, you’ll want to exercise extra caution when driving. Especially if you’re driving a large rental truck, that you don’t have a ton of experience driving. Even if you’re used to driving in the snow and inclement weather you should still take extra caution when driving a new type of vehicle.

Moving during the winter doesn’t have to be a nightmare, just take the necessary precautions and preparations and you’ll be on your way towards an easy moving experience. If you need to store any items throughout the moving process we hope you’ll consider Gateway Storage, your premier storage in the Alexandria, Woodbridge, and Springfield counties, as well as most of Northern Virginia.

3 Most Common Mistakes People Make When Storing Furniture

Posted on January 27, 2015 by Amanda Chambers - Storage

Photo Credit: seesix

You may think storing furniture is an easy process, however a lot of people make simple mistakes that end up ruining their furniture in the long-run. Even though you might think you can just drop your couch off at your storage unit and come back to get it in a few months, you run the risk of actually damaging your precious furniture. It’s easy for couches to become mildewy and moldy if not stored properly.

We’re going to examine some of the most common mistakes people make when they’re trying to store their furniture in their Springfield self storage unit.

Biggest Threats To Your Furniture

Although storage units will keep your goods safe it’s still necessary to take a few precautions in order to protect your furniture.

One of the biggest threats you’ll come across is moisture. In more humid climates this is going to be the largest problem you’ll face as excessive moisture leads to mold and mildew.

Another common problem you’ll face is overpacking your storage unit. When it’s filled to the brim you run the risk of damaging your furniture and any fragile goods the moment you move something in or out of your unit.

1. Damaging Your Mattress

Of course you could place your mattress in your storage unit without any added coverings, but you run the risk of bugs, dust and humidity.

One of the easiest ways to keep your mattress in good condition is to use a mattress storage bag. These bags are specifically made to keep your mattress in tip-top shape. Also, make sure you store your mattress vertically so you don’t damage the springs.

2. Forgetting To Take Extra Care With Wood Furniture

In order to keep your wooden furniture in good condition it can be beneficial to rub the outside with oil to keep the moisture in.

It’s also a good idea to use covers to prevent the wood from getting scratched or damaged when you’re moving your furniture into your Springfield storage unit.

3. Overstuffing Your Storage Unit

Stuffing your self storage unit to the max might help you get the most value for your money, but you may end up damaging your goods in the process.

A great way to conserve space is to break down and disassemble all of your furniture before moving it into your storage unit. This will allow you to stack everything much easier, and avoid damaging anything important.

Lastly, make sure you cover all of your furniture with linens, as this will protect them better than using plastic sheeting.

Feel free to get in touch with our storage team with any questions regarding safe furniture storage. We love serving our customers across the Alexandria, Woodbridge, and Springfield counties, as well as most of Northern Virginia.

How To Get The Most Out Of Storing Your Children’s Toys

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Amanda Chambers - Storage

Photo Credit: stevendepolo

Face it, most children these days have an almost endless amount of toys. Whether you’re trying to store their toys in an orderly manner in you home, or store the extras in your storage unit this article may have a little something for you.

No longer do your children’s toys have to be scattered about the house, causing you unwanted stress. With our easy storage recommendations you’ll forget your children’s toys were ever a problem in the first place.

1. Sort Through What You’ve Got

It can be very beneficial to do an initial sort to take note of what toys are worthy of keeping, need fixing, or could be thrown away or donated. It doesn’t make sense to hold on to toys that are broken, or aren’t being played with anymore.

It can be helpful to have a regular time every couple of months where you can go through your children’s toys. This will help to stop them from piling up.

Once everything has been stored you can categorize the items you currently have and store them in specific sections.

2. Make It Fun For Your Children

If you’re smart you’ll want to get your children involved. This will help to save time on your end and can ever be fun for them, and teach them basic principles of organization.

You can encourage your kids to get rid of anything that’s broken or has any missing pieces. If they have toys they don’t like to play with any more you could consider donating them to charity, giving them away to a family member, or putting them into storage if you’re planning on growing your family in the future.

3. Set Up An Easy Storage System

Now that you’ve gotten rid of toys you don’t need, have them categorized and know where they’re going to go, it’s time to develop a system that works for you and your children. Remember, the easier the system is to implement the more effective it will be in the long run.

Make sure you get the whole family involved and you children’s toys and room will be organized all year around.

4. Consider Storing Your Seasonal Toys

Sometimes your children may have a bunch of toys that are seasonal or maybe you want to store your some toys away that your children have grown out of. If you don’t have any extra space in your home it could be very beneficial to consider using an Alexandria self storage unit to hold the toys until you need them again.

I hope you’ve found this article valuable and can see just how beneficial it can be to take charge of your children’s toys. If you’re looking for the number one Alexandria self storage solution we hope that you consider Gateway Storage. We love serving our customers across Alexandria, Woodbridge, and Springfield counties, as well as most of Northern Virginia.

Most Common Storage Unit Mistakes You’ll Want To Avoid

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Amanda Chambers - Storage

Photo Credit: lindsayloveshermac

Sometimes trying to store all of your goods in your storage unit can be quite the feat. Depending on how much you’re moving it can be helpful to hire movers. When you have a lot of pieces up in the air bringing them all together can be quite difficult.

In this post we’re going to explore what storage unit moving mistakes you’ll really want to avoid.

1. Not Knowing How Much Space You’ll Have During Your Move

Before you end up renting a Springfield storage unit you’ll want to double check exactly how much space you’re going to have. Otherwise, you don’t have any dimensions to base your move off of.

It’s also important to know the dimensions of what vehicles you’ll be using for your move. The includes a moving truck, if you’re renting one or are using movers, or your own vehicle.

2. Not Double Checking Whether The Moving Truck Will Fit

Depending on how many goods you have to transport to your Springfield storage unit, you may have to get a larger or small truck. If you’re dealing with a larger truck you’ll need to make sure it’s going to fit through the aisles of the facility.

If you’re trying to get an 18-wheeler through the facility you could be in for a rough time, and you’d hate to learn this on the day of the move as well.

When checking dimensions, make sure that you ask about clearance heights, aisle widths, and if there are any load maximums across the facility.

3. Not Getting Enough Storage Space For Your Goods

It can be difficult to estimate how much space you’re going to need. However, if you’ve taken the time to pack and box everything up it will be much easier to see how much space you’re going to require.

If you really don’t have a great estimate of how much space you need. You can always rent a second unit for overflow goods, or simply hold onto the items that didn’t fit.

Overall, at Gateway Storage we’d love to help you come up with a creative storage solution.

4. Planning Your Move During A Busy Time

Most people end up moving either during the weekend, or right after the work day ends. Even though these times will be the most convenient they can actually end up being a huge hassle.

After all, if you end up visiting the facility when everyone else does, you won’t really be saving yourself any time by choosing a convenient time to move.

We hope this article has been helpful and you have a better understanding of how you can avoid the most common storage unit moving mistakes. If you’re a client or customer in the Alexandria, Woodbridge, Springfield counties, as well as most of Northern Virginia, we’d love to serve you.

How To Effectively Downsize Your Home

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Amanda Chambers - Lifestyle, Storage

Photo Credit: quinn.anya

When the time comes to downsize your home it’s easy to become bombarded with stress. Or maybe you’re one of the strange few who relish in packing and are actually excited about the experience. Whatever side of the spectrum you fall on you’ll want to ensure that you downsize your home in an effective manner.

In this article we’re going to dive into what you’ll want to do in order to make sure you have a graceful downsizing experience.

1. Take Stock Of What You Currently Have

Sometimes this first phase can be the most overwhelming. After all, it’s easy to forget how much stuff we’ve accumulated over the years. During this initial phase you’ll be taking note of your goods and classifying them into certain sections. For instance, some items you’ll want to keep forever, others you’ll want to donate, and others will belong in the trash.

2. Take Measurements Of All Furniture

You’ll want to measure everything you’re considering keeping. Mostly, this applies to furniture, but it can apply to other bulky items as well. You’d hate to arrive at your new home or Woodbridge storage unit and not be able to move the furniture through the door.

3. Know The Measurements Of Where You’re Moving To

This is in line with the previous point. You’ll want to make sure you remember or record the dimensions that you’ll be moving into. That way you’ll be able to compare sizes and make the decision if the piece of furniture is worth holding on to or not.

4. Make Sure To Check Extra Storage Spaces

Most homes have hidden storage spaces. There’s a good chance these spaces will be filled with stuff you stored away long ago, only to be forgotten about. Some common places include in the rafters of your garage and hidden closets.

Make sure you clear these out early and add them to your list of items to classify as keepers or junk.

5. Pack Up Before You Move

When moving day actually comes along you’ll want to pack up your goods into boxes or bins before you try moving anything. If you’re storing your furniture and other household goods in your Woodbridge storage unit, then you’ll be setting yourself up for an easier packing and unpacking experience. Face it, no one wants to bring small items to and from the car time and time again.

I hope you’ve found this article helpful and are well on your way towards downsizing your home stress-free. If you’re looking for a great facility to store your goods we hope you consider Gateway Storage. We love serving our clients across the Alexandria, Woodbridge, and Springfield counties, as well as most of Northern Virginia.

How To Safely Store Your Tailgating Gear

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Amanda Chambers - Lifestyle, Storage

Photo Credit: James Willamor

If you’ve been tailgating for years, or are new to the process one thing still remains. You’ll want to take good care of your tailgating gear. After all, it’s hard to pass up the pre-game celebration with friends, grilling and good food.

Even though tailgating can be the perfect combination of relaxation and excitement it still does involve a good amount of work to get everything going. Storing and organizing all of your tailgating items can take a serious amount of time and effort.

In this post we’re going to look at what you should do to get the most out of your tailgating gear.

1. Always Clean Everything

No matter how long you’re considering storing your goods it’s important that you thoroughly clean all of your items. Especially, items that may contain food residue from cooking or eating.

All it takes is a few left over crumbs to attract a bunch of bugs or host of other critters. If you’re storing your tailgating equipment for the end of the season make sure you pressure wash anything like grills, or grilling equipment.

2. Consider Using Plastic Bins

Plastic bins make it much easier to keep track of your small items. For instance, it’s easy to lose your utensils, tablecloths, say items, grilling equipment, and other odds and ends. Plastic bins not only hold items effectively, but they are easy to stack and arrange inside your Alexandria self storage unit.

Also, consider using multiple bins, as opposed to filling one unit to the brim. After all, your goal is to make unpacking easy on yourself as well.

3. Ensure Your Storage Is Easy Access

If you’ll need to make frequent trips to your Alexandria self storage unit make sure that you keep the unit organized. The last thing you’d want is to be late to the game simply because you couldn’t find what you needed. It can be helpful to set aside a certain section of your unit specifically for tailgating goods.

Our storage center location right off I-95 makes it easy to pick up whatever you need easily and quickly.

4. Don’t Store Dangerous Materials

Make sure you avoid putting any flammable items into your storage unit. It can be tempting to simply put away any lighters or propane tanks into your unit, but can end up being a big mistake. It’s usually best to store your propane tank outdoors in the upright position.

It can also be helpful to remove batteries from all your devices before you place them into storage too.

If you’re looking for a place to store all of your tailgating gear consider Gateway Storage. We love serving our customers across Alexandria, Woodbridge, and Springfield counties, as well as most of Northern Virginia.

Effectively Store Your Holiday Goods And Decorations

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Amanda Chambers - Lifestyle, Storage

Photo Credit: ginnerobot

Now that the holidays are just around the corner it’s important to start thinking about how you’re going to store your holiday decorations. No matter the holiday, whether it’s Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving or something else entirely you’ll want to take special care when storing your goods.

If you’re overwhelmed about the process of storing all of your holiday decorations consider the steps below as a way to reduce your stress and overwhelm during this busing time of year. In this article we’re going to look at how you can store your holiday goods in an effective manner.

1. Take Note Of Broken Items

When you’re taking down your holiday items make sure you inspect them for any broken elements. Once you’ve packed everything away it’s a good time to buy replacement parts.

Right after the holidays a lot of holiday goods and decorations are on sale, so it’s a good idea to take advantage of the lower prices.

2. Label Your Bins

It’s a very common practice to store your holidays goods and decorations in bins. However, it’s also a good idea to label the bins so you’ll know which ones belong to which holiday.

By developing a simplistic labeling and storage system you’ll be able to get in and out of your Woodbridge storage bin in record time.

3. Always Store Items Out Of The Way

There’s no need to store your holiday goods in a highly trafficked area of your Woodbridge self storage bin. Makes sure you store all of your holiday bins and boxes in an area of your bin that is out of the way, since you’ll usually only need to access your holiday goods a few time of the year.

As a bonus, this will also help to protect fragile items from getting bumped or knocked over.

4. Take Extra Caution With Fragile Items

Fragile items and decorations can be the bane of your packing existence. However, if not taken proper care of you could easily lose these precious items. It’s always worth it to take extra time wrapping these items and placing them neatly into their containers.

When stacking these boxes make sure you place them in an area that won’t be as early disturbed.

I hope these packing tips have been helpful and might save you a little stress throughout the busy holidays. We hope you consider Gateway Storage for all of your holiday storage needs. We serve our clients across the Alexandria, Woodbridge, and Springfield counties, as well as most of Northern Virginia.

Tips To Safely Store Your Precious Electronics

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Amanda Chambers - Lifestyle, Storage

Photo Credit: Bruno Girin

If you’ve ever moved, or had to move electronic items into Springfield self storage then you know just how difficult it can be. A single lost or broken cord can mean hours upon hours of added frustration and time. When you’re storing or moving your electronics it’s important to take extra precaution to avoid making your life more difficult.

In this article we’re going to take a look at our best tips for storing and transporting your electronics.

1. Always Consult The Owner’s Manual

The owner’s manual will be able to suggest the best storage options for your needs. If you don’t have the original guide you can usually find a free copy available online. The better you can follow the storage instructions the better you’ll be able to transport your electronics effectively.

If you don’t have the box that the original item came in it can be helpful to find a box that will fit the item snugly.

2. Remove And Store Any Loose Pieces

Make sure you remove any item that isn’t directly connected to the main piece of hardware. This includes any wires, batteries, flash drives, DVDs, and anything else. Make sure to tie or tape up any dangling cords to ensure they don’t get tripped on or snagged. Also, keep any smaller electronic elements in a bag to keep them from being lost.

On another note make sure you back up all of your precious data before you move and store your electronics, just in case an accident happens.

3. Label Every Element

It’s important that you take the time to label all of your electronic pieces to ensure that nothing gets mixed up. It’s very easy to mix up cables and wires, so make sure you label them properly so you can get your electronics up and running again.

It doesn’t hurt to use more descriptive words when laying your boxes and bins.

4. Consider The Storage Climate

Most electronics will get ruined if they’re left in extreme heat or cold. Even just a little bit of time in extreme climates will end up making most of your electronics non-functional. If you’re storing electronics for the long-run make sure you store them in an environment that’s between 50 and 80 degrees and not very humid. If you are storing in a humid environment consider using a dehumidifier, which will help to prevent further damage.

You can also use silica gel packets which will help to reduce further moisture in your Springfield self storage container.

5. Transport Safely

When transporting your electronics consider using a smaller vehicle where you can transport your items more securely. You’d hate for your precious electronics to get damaged during a routine trip to the store unit.

Consider Gateway Storage for all of your electronics storage needs. We love to serve our clients across the Alexandria, Woodbridge, and Springfield counties, as well as most of Northern Virginia.

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Storage Unit

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Amanda Chambers - Storage

Photo Credit: blmurch

When it comes time to fully utilize your storage container it’s important you know how to pack it properly, so you can optimize your space. We believe you should always get the best storage deal possible, so that means taking full advantage of the space you’re renting.

In this post we’re going to take a look at storage an packing techniques that will help you get the most out of your unit, as well as showcase a few unique storage solutions that we offer.

1. Consider Your Packing Needs First

When it comes time to utilize a storage space effectively and efficiently you’ll need to consider why you’re storing your goods in the first place – as every situation is unique.

For instance, will you need to access your storage container on a regular basis? Or, will you primarily be using the container for yearly storage? The frequency that you’ll need to access your unit will change how you’re going to store everything. You’d hate to have to re-pack and unpack your Springfield storage unit every single time you need to remove an item.

Once you have a better understanding of how you’re going to use the unit, then it actually makes sense to move forward with a packing strategy.

2. Use Standard Packing Procedures

When it comes to packing there are a few general procedures you can follow that will help you store your goods safely and easily. For starters, box up any goods before you leave your home. You may think that it’s easier just loading up the car to transport, but you’ll be thankful that everything is in boxes the moment you arrive.

Always start with the heavier boxes and larger items on the bottom. You’d be surprised how often people either run out of room, or end up ruining their prized possessions, simply because they didn’t take time with their packing process.

If you have anything fragile, make sure to always wrap it up. It’s better to spend more time prepping your goods, than having to deal with broken items, or a big mess to clean up.

Overall, the more time you spend prepping your goods for storage the better. Also, be aware of where you’re placing items and when you’ll need to access them. Keep these rules in mind when packing your unit and everything should be protected and ready to go when you need them again.

3. Utilize Our Flexible Springfield Storage Spaces

If you have a very unique storage situation we do offer spaces that are very flexible. For instance, we have combination spaces that allow you to store your belongings in a container and have an adjacent outdoor storage space in which you can park a trailer, motorcycle, vehicle, or anything else.

We exist to cater to your storage needs, so if you have a very unique storage situation, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We love to cater to our customers and veterans across Alexandria, Woodbridge, and Springfield counties, as well as most of Northern Virginia