Tag: springfield self storage

How To Master Moving Truck Packing (It’s More Important Than You Think)

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Amanda Chambers - Storage

Photo Credit: CJ Sorg

Packing a moving truck can be a very overwhelming process, especially if you haven’t taken the time to adequately prepare. By preparing effectively you’ll be able to minimize damage to your precious goods and make the packing process more enjoyable. Whether you’re moving your goods into a Springfield storage unit, or a new home, packing effectively will save you time and stress.

Below you’ll find our tips and recommendations for effectively packing your moving truck before a big move.

1. Prepare Your Goods For The Truck

To move your goods in the most efficient way possible it can be helpful to gather a few extra supplies to assist in the moving process. The supplies are listed below:

A dolly: this will help you move heavy items.
Extra padding: this will help you add extra padding to spaces between items and boxes.
Packing tape: this will help to secure the extra padding and loose items.
Extra straps: you can use these to secure large items to prevent them from shifting.

2. Get The Moving Truck Ready

Most moving trucks have a separate cab area. Put any items you’ll need to readily access here, so you don’t accidentally box them up.

Make sure you sweep out the back of the truck, as there could be dust or dirt that has accumulated from a previous move. It can also be beneficial to stock the moving truck or cab with a toolbox to help with re-assembly.

You can also load fragile items into the cab, or store them in another vehicle if you have another car you’re using for the move.

3. Prepare Your Furniture

Dissembling your furniture will make your truck much easier to pack. Although it will add a little extra time, so you’ll need to plan accordingly. Make sure you label your items so you don’t get any pieces mixed up.

If you have any items such as bookcases, or drawers, you can use these to store boxes and other items. Otherwise, you’re just wasting space. Just make sure you place items on the shelf that aren’t going to shift during the move.

4. Load The Truck Effectively

When loading the truck you’ll want to load in your heaviest and bulkiest items first. This will help you maximize space as you get further into the packing process. This will also help to balance the truck and make it much easier to drive.

As soon as you load any fragile items, or items you’ll want to protect, into the truck make sure you wrap them with protective wrap. Secure larger items to the sides of the truck with ties and straps.

Once all of the larger items are secured then you can begin filling in the gaps with boxes and other items.

Throughout the moving process it can be helpful to consider renting a storage unit. This will ease any stress you have about where you’re going to store your old goods.

We hope you consider using Gateway Storage for all of your storage needs. We love serving our clients across the Alexandria, Woodbridge, Springfield, and Northern Virginia areas. Get in touch today.

Is Retirement Right Around The Corner? Consider Self-Storage To Help The Transition

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Amanda Chambers - Lifestyle, Storage

springfield retirement storage

If you’re considering retirement and looking to downsize your home, then self-storage might be a great option for you. If retirement is coming up soon for you, then you may want to consider downsizing and storing certain goods while your begin your new home search. Or, if you’re planning on traveling for a while, but don’t want to part with certain goods you can rent a Springfield storage unit to store your items while you’re gone.

Below you’ll find how self-storage can be beneficial for those planning on retiring in the near future.

The Benefits of Downsizing For Retirees

Once your kids have left the nest, and you’re planning for retirement, it can be difficult to justify staying in your large home. Thus, downsizing can become a necessity for you to start enjoying your newfound freedom.

1. Lowered Cost Of Living

By having a smaller home it can be much easier to lower your costs. Smaller homes will not only cost less, but so will the utilities and other bills. By lowering your costs you’ll be able to make your retirement fund last much longer.

2. Space For A New Chapter

Retirement is a new chapter in your life. It’s a time in your life when you have ultimate freedom to make your own decisions again. By choosing a new smaller home you’ll be able to start fresh at this new juncture in your life.

3. Less Work Around The Home

Smaller homes require less overall maintenance and upkeep to keep them looking nice. Maintaining the appearance of a larger home takes a lot of work. You’d hate to spend your precious years of retirement dedicated towards home maintenance.

By downsizing you’ll give yourself more time to do things you truly enjoy.

Tips For Downsizing and Storage

Downsizing can take much longer than expected. After all, if you’re downsizing a family home it can be hard to part with older items that hold a lot of memories.

1. Take Stock and Sort Your Goods

Begin your sorting by going through old storage areas in your home, such as, your closets, garage, and storage shed. Once you’ve gone through items that are easy to part with it’s time to move onto more sentimental items throughout your home.

2. Find A Self-Storage Facility Close By

When deciding which storage unit facility to use for your valuables it’s important to think about the location. You’ll want the facility to be near your new residence if you’re planning on using your unit during the moving process. Luckily for you Gateway Storage has a very easy-to-access location right off I-95.

3. Pack and Organize Your Unit

When packing your unit you’ll want to keep organizational principles in mind. Sort your boxes by different rooms in your home, and make sure all of your items have the necessary padding and protection.

Also, if you’re planning on removing items out of the unit rather quickly, place the items you’re planning on moving near the front, so you don’t have to re-arrange the entire unit.

If you’re looking for the perfect storage facility for your downsizing process we hope you consider Gateway Storage, the premier storage facility across the Alexandria, Woodbridge, Springfield, and Northern Virginia areas.

The Best Packing Materials For Keeping Your Valuables Safe

Posted on June 23, 2015 by Amanda Chambers - Lifestyle, Storage

springfield storage tips

When the time comes to pack up your belongings you’ll need to ensure their safety. A lot of people end up feeling rushed during their move and throw their belongings into boxes. Sometimes, your fragile belongings may make it home safe, but chances are higher they’re going to end up damaged or broken.

The more effective course of action is to take the time to properly wrap and store your goods before you even think about loading up your car, or moving truck. In this post we’re going to cover the essential materials you’ll need to consider buying in order to ensure the safety of your valuables.

1. Sturdy Boxes

It can be beneficial to purchase a wide variety of box sizes. This will ensure you don’t end up storing fragile items with more heavy duty items. If you have the original boxes for any of your fragile goods, these can be the best bet to ensure the safety of your items.

When trying to decide which boxes to purchase it can be helpful to buy boxes with sturdier walls, as these are less likely to be crushed or damaged in the move.

2. Padding

If your boxes are mostly empty there’s a good chance the items are going to shift during the move, and can possibly break. The best forms of extra padding include, styrofoam, bubble wrap, and polystyrene filler. You can find these at your local hardware shop.

3. Extra Cardboard

If you’re transporting fragile china or other glassware it can be beneficial to purchase extra cardboard dividers. This will prevent any glass items from rubbing together. If you can’t find any cardboard dividers try visiting a local liquor store, as their bottles often come shipped with these dividers.

4. Newspaper or Other Lightweight Paper

The more padding you use the better.

It’s always to have extra paper, soft tissue, rags, newspaper and other forms of extra padding. You can use these to stuff into the gaps of your boxes. When you pick up your boxes you shouldn’t be able to feel the items shift at all. If they do, then you’ll want to add more padding.

5. Markers

It’s important to label your fragile boxes from those that can handle more of a beating. This will ensure you load your moving truck, or vehicle, with a focus on placing your fragile boxes into an area they won’t become damaged.

This can also be valuable if you’re taking your items to a Springfield self storage unit, as the labelling will make it much easier to load and unload the right boxes.

If you’re interested in reserving a self-storage unit for your next move, we hope you consider Gateway Storage, the premier self-storage facility across the Alexandria, Woodbridge, Springfield, and Northern Virginia areas.

How To Effectively Store Your Musical Instruments

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Amanda Chambers - Lifestyle, Storage

Photo Credit: frankieleon

Maybe your musical career is a thing of the past, but you can’t bear the thought of parting with your instruments or you have instruments lying around that you want to pass along to your children someday. Whatever your reason, renting a Springfield self-storage unit can help keep your instruments in good condition.

You have to take extra caution when packing and storing your musical instruments, because it’s easy for them to become damaged. Below you’ll find a series of steps that will help you ensure the safety of your precious musical instruments.

1. Be Wary Of Weather

Heat, cold, and moisture are all enemies of your musical instruments. No matter where you’re storing your items all three will pose a threat.

Moisture can potentially warp the wood and extreme fluctuations in heat or cold will cause the wooden instruments to expand or contract. You have to be aware of this, especially if you have any old instruments, as they’re more vulnerable.

The best way to protect against these temperature and humidity fluctuations is to rent a climate controlled storage unit, if available, or use a humidifier in order to maintain a consistent humidity level.

2. Know Thy Instrument

Wooden instruments require more care than electric or brass instruments. As we mentioned above, wood instruments are much more susceptible to hot and humid conditions, as well as cold and dry conditions. Know what your instrument is made out of and adjust accordingly.

Pianos are a very vulnerable instrument, as they are made of a blend wood, metal, and ceramic. So, these components could shrink or expand depending on temperature and end up leaving the instrument unusable.

3. Store And Unpack Correctly

If you have the original cases for your instruments this will help to keep them in the best condition possible. When placing them in the storage unit store them off the ground and away from any doors or drafty areas.

If you have any stringed instruments consider releasing the string tension, this will help to stop the strings from breaking or warping the instrument.

If you’re storing a piano for a prolonged period of time wrap every component in padded material. If you have a baby grand piano they stay in best condition when stored on their sides.

Of course, the longer you store your instrument the more careful you should be when unpacking and removing it from your storage unit. Take your time and be careful. If you already put a lot of time and effort into storing them, then being patient with the unpacking process will ensure you don’t accidentally damage them.

If you’re looking for a Springfield storage unit in the Alexandria, Woodbridge, Springfield, and Northern Virginia areas, consider Gateway Storage. We love serving our local customers, small business owners, and veterans.

Spring Cleaning 101: How Self-Storage Can Help

Posted on March 14, 2015 by Amanda Chambers - Lifestyle, Storage

Photo Credit: Scooter Lowrimore

By the time spring starts to blossom you’re probably ready for winter to be over. For some springtime means it’s time to thaw and finally start living outside again. For others it means the time for spring cleaning has begun.

Springtime is a time for renewal. The same can be said for your home. Throughout the winter months a lot of dirt, dust, and general stuff can accumulate throughout your home. Sometimes thinking about starting the cleaning process can be overwhelming, however; with the help of a self-storage unit you may be able to simplify the process.

1. Decide What You Want To Keep

This is probably the hardest part of the process. As items begin to pile up during the winter months you may want to just get rid of everything. However, by the time next winter rolls around you’ll be regretting this decision.

It can be helpful to break things into three piles. The first are things you’re going to donate or throw away. The second are things you’re going move to a different part of your home. The third are things you’re going to move to your Springfield storage unit, because you won’t be needing them for a while.

Once you’ve broken down your household items into different groups, then the process can really begin.

2. Go Through Every Space

You probably have a lot of spaces in your home that haven’t been cleaned out in a long time. Once we have spaces where we’re comfortable storing junk it seems to accumulate endlessly. These are important areas to get under control.

Common areas include the garage, any closets that aren’t being used for clothing, sheds, and even kitchen cabinets. You’d be amazed at how easy it is for things to pile up. If something hasn’t been used for three months and it isn’t weather dependent there’s a good chance you don’t need it anymore.

After you’ve gone through the spaces you usually neglect it’s important to hit the common spaces as well, which includes bedroom closets, bathrooms, and under your bed.

3. See If A Self-Storage Unit Can Help

A Springfield self-storage unit can come in handy when you don’t want to part with the goods you’ve been keeping at home all these years. Sometimes, people just crave a little added space in their homes when the temperatures start to rise, so they end up storing all of their winter goods.

If your home still feels cluttered after you’ve made trips to the donation center, or dump, then a storage unit may come in handy. Sometimes, all you need is a little extra space to truly enable your home to feel like a home again.

Some people even prefer to make their storage unit a part of the process, by bringing all their goods out of their home and sorting them at their unit. Often, it can be easier to part with things once they’ve already left your home.

If you’re about to start the spring cleaning process we hope you consider Gateway Storage, we love to serve our customers across the Alexandria, Woodbridge, and Springfield, as well as most of Northern Virginia.

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

Photo Credit: Reggie Bishop-970-973

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.

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.

5 Common Decluttering Mistakes to Avoid

Posted on December 5, 2014 by Amanda Chambers - Lifestyle, Storage

If your home is cluttered it can be very stressful. You’re not alone! Most people usually have at least one room in their home that’s a little out of control. Living with clutter can be like living with a huge elephant in the room. Most people realize it’s there, but don’t want to talk about it or do anything about it.

However, once you’ve finally started the process there are some things you’ll want to avoid.

1. Don’t Do Everything At Once

If you’ve finally decided to take the plunge and start the decluttering process it’s important you don’t overwhelm yourself and try to do everything at once. If you pile too much on your plate, then you may feel like giving up.

It’s easier to pick a small area of your room and then go from there. You’ll be able to see your results very quickly, which will help to create momentum to keep you going.

2. Don’t Forget To Plan

If you don’t have a plan of what to do with your goods as you’re going through the decluttering process it can be easy to simply move your mess from one room, or one corner to another.

You need to have a plan with what you’re going to do with your clutter. Some people will move their items into a Springfield self-storage unit, while others may opt to have a garage sale and donate the rest to charity.

Whatever you choose, just make sure to plan before you begin moving stuff around.

3. Don’t Go At It Alone

Like we mentioned earlier, decluttering can be an overwhelming process. It’s much easier if you can recruit friends and family to help make the process fun. You can even turn the decluttering process into an event and make it a good time for everyone involved.

4. Don’t Get Emotionally Attached To Your Goods

It’s very easy to get emotionally attached to your goods. It seems that most of us are addicted to our devices, or our clothing, or something we own. However, if you can break this emotional bond you’ll be better for it.

Often, you can get caught up in going through sentimental goods when you’re in the middle of the decluttering process. This can slow down the entire process and bring it to a standstill. If you have too just save your old pictures and other items for another time.

5. Remember, It Doesn’t Have To Be Perfect

A lot of times it’s easy to think that you’re organizing wrong, or that everything needs to be perfectly arranged in the boxes. However, it’s more important that everything gets put away and dealt with, rather than being organized perfectly.

I hope you’ve found these tips useful and are on your way towards finally decluttering your home. If you need to store any of your goods temporarily or for an extended period of time we hope you consider Gateway Storage, we serve our customers across the 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.

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.