5 Boat Cleaning and Maintenance Tips for a Smooth Sailing Season

Before you can set sail on the open water, you have to make sure your sailboat is clean and prepared for the trip—especially after a long offseason during which your sailboat has sat in storage for months. It’s always smart to clean and maintain your sailboat before taking off on your trip.

Cleaning a sailboat isn’t always the easiest thing to do though. It takes time and a lot of attention to detail. Safeguard is not only prepared to store your boat while you’re not using it, but we’re also prepared to provide some tips on how to clean and maintain your sailboat before the sailing season hits.

1. Use Freshwater To Clean and Rinse Your Boat and Boat Parts

Even though you might be sailing on saltwater, it’s good to clean your boat often with fresh water. That salt water might be great for catching fish and exploring the Florida waterways, but it’s not great for the longevity of your sailboat.

Saltwater has a number of potential chemicals, including salt, that can build up over time. That buildup can cause grime and mildew to set in. That's not only going to make it harder to clean your boat down the line, but it can also have a long-term impact on your parts.

2. Use Home Products To Clean Your Boat

Sometimes, a copious amount of fresh water isn’t enough to get your sailboat looking spick and span. Vinegar, banking soda, Borax, lemon juice, and even hydrogen peroxide can go a long way toward cleaning various parts of your boat. Whether it’s removing mildew from the side of the boat or cleaning the sail, these household items could be of service.

To specifically clean the sail of your boat, mix water and borax in a bucket and scrub down the sail. You have to be careful when cleaning a sailboat so as not to over-scrub. Doing so can weaken your sail.

 3. Maintain Your Boat at Home

While there are bigger boat maintenance issues that might be beyond your expertise, there might be some things you can do at home to cut down those boat maintenance costs. 

You should consistently check the oil and motor of your boat. While you will want to take your motor to a professional, you can check the oil level at home, like you probably do with your car. Check the levels to make sure it’s set for sailing before taking off on the open water.

4. Take Your Boat to a Professional

You might deem yourself an expert sailer out on the water, but that does not always mean that you are an expert at sailboat maintenance. Sure, there are some things you can do at home, but the last thing you want is to be out on the water with a maintenance issue. Before you set sail, you should consider taking your boat to a professional to make sure it’s ready.

There are countless places to take your boat for maintenance. Larger stores like Bass Pro Shop and Cabela’s have boat maintenance options. You can also opt for a smaller local shop if that proves easier or more convenient.

5. Consider Professional Boat Storage

During the summer months, you want to have your boat on the water as much as possible. Unfortunately, during the offseason, you probably want to get that boat somewhere where potentially poor weather won’t have an impact on your boat. After all, one of the best ways to maintain your boat is to prevent damage in the first place.

Safeguard Self Storage has boat storage ready for you at a number of locations. If you have any questions about storing with Safeguard, visit our FAQ page. If you are ready to book your storage unit today, contact us or rent and reserve your unit online today.

Planning Your Perfect Summer Florida Boating Trip

There’s no better way to spend time in the Sunshine State, than out in the sunshine. Whether you are a Florida resident or just visiting to bask in the sun for a couple of weeks over the summer, odds are you are looking to get out on the water. Florida is the perfect place for your boating trip, whether you own your own or are looking for Florida boat rentals. Safeguard has your back with everything you need to keep in mind when planning your summer Florida boating trip. 

Best Florida Boating Cities

Before you can even start thinking about boating in Florida, you need to consider where you are going. With so many options available, it can be hard to narrow down which Florida city is best for you. 

Florida Keys

The Florida Keys are a 100-mile stretch of islands at the southern tip of Florida. Famous for the sunset along the Key West shoreline and the incomparable snorkeling opportunities, the Florida Keys are a family-friendly city for you to get some time on the water. 

Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay is home to more than the Buccaneers and Rays. This bay community is home to some of the best fishing spots and boating opportunities in the country. Not only is Tampa Bay the perfect spot for you to get some water time in, but it’s also close to many islands and other destinations. A trip to Tampa Bay can very quickly turn into a trip to St. Pete, Caladesi Island, or Passage Key. 

Ft. Lauderdale/Miami

No Florida boating trip is complete without a visit to one of the most popular boating destinations on the planet. Ft. Lauderdale and Miami share some incredible canals that can take you on a tour of these incredible cities. There are great fishing spots in these warm, tropical waters with a picture-perfect view of the Miami skyline in the background.

Have a Plan for Your Boat

Knowing where you are going on your boating trip is only half the battle. Now, you have to figure out how to get around on the water. If you’re a resident, that means making sure your boat is registered properly. If you are a visitor, it means making sure you’ve considered all your boat rental options. 

Florida Boat Registration

Similar to cars, and other street vehicles, boats need to be registered within 30 days of purchase. To register your vehicle, visit the Florida Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles. Before going, be sure to have all the necessary paperwork to make your visit as seamless as possible.

Florida Boat Storage 

A major challenge of owning your own boat is trying to figure out where to store it during the offseason. While Florida weather is almost always nice, it’s not always the right time to take the boat out for a spin. When it is time to put the boat away for a while, visit Safeguard Self Storage to learn about our boat storage opportunities.

Florida Boat Rentals

If you are flying into Florida, odds are you aren’t flying your boat down there with you. If you are looking to really enjoy your time in the sunshine state, make sure you have control over your boat rental, and boat rental rates as well. While the city you visit is likely to advertise boat rentals at a lot of the local marinas, there are third-party boat rental aggregators that help you compare rates and make sure that extra money is going toward enjoying some great Florida seafood, not just your boat rental.

Florida Self Storage 

Once you have your destination and know how you are going to move around on the water, the rest of the trip is about which places you’re going to visit, what you’re going to eat, and what else you’re going to do. There’s no shortage of ways to spend your vacation time in Florida.
Once you’re home, whether you’re a Florida resident or a distant traveler, you have the hard task of figuring out where to keep everything from your trip. Whether it’s those big suitcases that take up needed garage space or the fishing poles you took with you that you want to keep from getting damaged by being crammed in with the rest of your stuff. If that’s the case, visit Safeguard Self Storage to see which location is the best fit for you. Visit our FAQ page to learn more about what Safeguard has to offer. If you are ready to reserve your storage unit today, visit our website or contact us to get started.

How To Store Your Winter Clothes

For many, one of the best parts of winter making way for spring weather is the shedding of layers. As warmer weather dawns and spring cleaning begins to take place, a common task is trading out your bulky winter sweaters for lighter floral skirts and short sleeve shirts. But the problem always remains: what to do with those heavy winter garments you don’t plan to see for another six months. If you live in an apartment, small house, or dorm, you may not have the option to store your out-of-season clothes in your home. Thankfully, Safeguard Self Storage offers high-quality clothes storage ideas to fit all your needs.

Steps for Storing Your Winter Clothes

Before you pack away your winter clothes, make sure each item is clean, dry, and something you plan to wear next winter. Donate what you’ve grown out of or don’t love anymore. Then separate your items between what can be folded and what can be hung. Typically, anything that could lose its shape if being hung (a wool sweater, for example) should be folded. Anything that could wrinkle while folded (such as linen) should be hung. Next, you’ll need bins for clothing or vacuum-sealed bags to store clothing. Plastic bins should have lids that seal tightly, and vacuum-sealed bags should not be overstuffed. These two options are your best bets for keeping out pests, moisture, and other dirt. Properly zip, snap, and button all your garments to avoid them snagging other pieces of clothing.

Start by filling plastic bins with the heaviest knits on the bottom, like wool sweaters. Delicate or vintage items that are being stored in bins can be wrapped in acid-free tissue paper for extra protection. Shoes or boots can be stuffed with tissue paper or shoe shapers to keep their shape while being stored. Keep items like these in plastic bins, but don’t stuff too many into one container. For hanging clothes, be sure to remove dry-cleaning garment bags, and instead place clothes in real garment bags.

Keeping Your Clothes Fresh During Storage

Another area of concern might be how to keep clothes smelling fresh in storage. A few easy tricks can ensure you don’t take musty-smelling clothes out of storage next winter. Cedar balls or lavender packets repel pests, while charcoal bags or dryer sheets can absorb odors. The best place to keep these bins and boxes of winter clothes is in a climate controlled storage unit. Attics and basements may become too hot or damp and could impact the quality of your winter clothing. At Safeguard Self Storage, we offer a variety of storage options complete with computer-controlled access, individual door alarms, and digital video recording to keep your items protected and out of your way. Contact us today to find your nearest Safeguard Self Storage unit or get a quote on seasonal storage.

10 Moving and Packing Tips

Moving can be one of the most stressful experiences of your life. Planning a move, packing up everything you own, and moving it to a new place can be overwhelming, but there are ways to make the process less daunting. In this blog post, Safeguard will provide 10 moving and packing tips that will help make your move go as smoothly as possible.

Tips To Make Moving Easier

1. Create a Moving Checklist

The key to a successful move is to plan ahead. Create a moving checklist that outlines everything you need to do before moving day. This includes everything from packing up your belongings to canceling your utilities.

2. Start Packing Early

One of the simplest but most effective packing tips for moving is to start packing early. Packing up your entire life takes time, so start early. Begin by packing up items you don't use frequently, such as seasonal clothing or holiday decorations. This will help you avoid the stress of packing everything at the last minute.

3. Declutter

Moving is the perfect opportunity to get rid of items you no longer need or want. Go through your belongings and donate, sell, or discard anything you no longer use. This will not only make your move easier, but it will also help you start fresh in your new home.

4. Label Boxes

Make sure to label your boxes with the room they belong in and a brief description of what's inside. This will make it easier to unpack and find what you need when you arrive at your new home.

5. Use the Right Supplies

Invest in high-quality packing supplies such as boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap. This will ensure that your belongings are protected during the move. Avoid using old or damaged boxes as they may not hold up during transportation.

6. Pack Room by Room

Pack items from each room together and label the boxes accordingly. This will make it easier to unpack and organize your belongings in your new home. It also helps to pack items that belong in the same room in the same box, making it easier to unpack.

7. Pack Heavy Items at the Bottom

When packing boxes, make sure to place heavy items at the bottom and lighter items on top. This will prevent items from getting damaged during the move. Also, avoid packing boxes with items that are too heavy to lift or carry, as this could result in injury.

8. Don't Overpack Boxes

Avoid overpacking boxes as this can lead to damage or injury during the move. Instead, pack boxes to a reasonable weight that can be easily carried. Overpacked boxes may also be more likely to break during the move.

9. Take Photos of Electronics

Before packing your electronics, take photos of the cords and connections so you know how to set them up again in your new home. Also, consider packing electronics in their original boxes if you still have them, as these are designed to protect the items during transportation. Additionally, take pictures of the serial numbers in the event that an electronic device is lost or stolen during the move.

10. Consider Self Storage

If you need to temporarily store some of your belongings during the moving process, consider renting a self storage unit. This can provide a secure and convenient place to store your items until you're ready to move them into your new home. Self storage can also be helpful if you're downsizing and need a place to store items that won't fit in your new home. Utilizing self storage is one of the simplest but most effective moving tips you can utilize.

Trust Safeguard for Your Self Storage Needs

Safeguard Self Storage solutions can be particularly beneficial when moving due to their focus on providing secure and accessible storage options. Their facilities are equipped with 24/7 video surveillance, computerized access systems, and individual door alarms to ensure the safety of your belongings. Additionally, their facilities are often conveniently located near major highways and transportation hubs, making it easy to access your items during the moving process.

Safeguard Self Storage also offers a range of unit sizes to accommodate varying storage needs, and their knowledgeable staff can assist with selecting the right unit for your needs. Choosing Safeguard Self Storage for your moving needs can provide peace of mind and a reliable solution for storing your belongings during the transition to your new home.

Don’t Wait—Contact Safeguard Today

Moving can be a daunting task, but by following these 10 moving and packing tips, you can make the process easier and less stressful. Remember to plan ahead, declutter, use high-quality packing supplies, and label your boxes. Additionally, contact Safeguard to get started with renting a self storage unit so that you will have a place to store items during the moving process. With a little planning and preparation, you can make your move go as smoothly as possible.

 

Prepare Your Home for Spring

Flowers are blooming, gray skies are clearing up, and spring is nearly here!

Whether you start your spring by planting a new garden, cleaning out every closet in your house, or cracking open your car windows for the first time in months, spring is the perfect time to also spruce up your home for a new season of life. 

How Should You Prepare Your Home for Spring?

The two main areas of focus for spring home decor are the inside and outside.

Preparing the Inside of Your House for Spring

 

The first step to preparing the interior of your home for spring is to take down any out-of-season decorations. As much as you love your Christmas tree, it’s time to make way for new seasonal plants for spring. Not sure what to do with all of your out-of-season decorations? Safeguard Self Storage can help. With dozens of convenient locations, your Christmas tree, Halloween spiders, and Valentine’s Day hearts can be safely stowed away until next time. The first question you might have when getting ready for a new season is when to decorate for spring. There’s no national holiday for spring decorating, but March is a great time to start! March 20, 2023, marked the first day of spring and could also mark the first day of decorating your house. Once you have a blank canvas to work with and time to start, take a moment to dream about your favorite parts of spring.

 

Do you love a certain type of flower? Is Easter the best part of the season. Do you enjoy gardening? or all the activities you’re able to do in nicer weather? Are birds chirping your favorite sound? Use that inspiration as a starting point for your decorations. Whether you’re a DIY go-getter or someone who prefers to shop for your home decor, there is a spring aesthetic out there for everyone. Start by browsing your local thrift store for unique decor or hitting up a local farmer’s market for fresh bouquets of flowers. Interesting spring table decor can be made by combining florals and greenery in a fun vase or finding a colorful tablecloth and new dishware. Carry those same themes from your dining room into your spring living room decor. Trade out art pieces for more colorful spring-themed paintings or photographs. Put a bouquet (fresh or fake) next to your TV. Don’t be afraid to stray toward bright colors or something outside of your comfort zone.

Preparing the Outside of Your House for Spring

Now that you’ve conquered the inside of your home, your outdoor spring decor has to match too! Most of this can come from adding fresh plants to your garden, window boxes, or porch. Consider a festive floral wreath or put fun items in your planters. Maybe it’s even time to start a new home project outdoors like painting the front door or putting in a new stone path. However you choose to decorate your home and garden for spring, make sure it is a place you feel proud to call your own. And don’t forget that when it comes to homes, Safeguard Self Storage is here for you in all seasons. Contact us today about putting away those winter decorations or storing clutter you found during spring cleaning!

Tips for Storing Important Documents

 

Tips for Storing Important Documents

Even though we have moved toward a more digitized platform when it comes to storing documents, there are some things you just have to keep the physical copy of. From birth certificates to marriage licenses to tax documents, there are documents that simply cannot be made digital. Whether you’ve decided to keep documents in your home office or you are in search of off-site document storage, it’s important to take the necessary steps to prepare your documents for long-term storage.

At Safeguard Self Storage, we want to help you protect your important documents from damage and destruction by offering tips for the best way to store paper documents. Find out what type of environment your documents need to be stored in, what materials you should store your paper documents in, and some things to consider as you place your items into long-term storage. We can also offer secure document storage that is convenient and affordable. Find your local Safeguard Self Storage to begin storing your important documents with us today.

 

How To Store Paper Documents Long Term

As you begin the process of preparing your paper documents for long-term storage, there are some considerations to take into account to make sure you are offering your documents their best chance of survival. When learning how to store important documents, consider the following tips and pieces of advice:

  • Store in a cool, dry environment.
  • Invest in proper storage containers.
  • Take extra care of highly acidic documents.
  • Keep important documents flat while in storage.

 

Store in a Cool, Dry Environment

Heat and humidity can cause your important documents to become wrinkled, brittle, and even moldy if the air is too moist. In addition, if paper documents are in the sun or bright light for too long, they can also fade. This is why it’s important for documents to be stored in an environment that is temperature regulated and dark. This will help your documents remain in good condition no matter how long they are stored.

If you cannot ensure that your attic or basement will remain at a cool temperature throughout the entire year, your best bet is to keep your documents in an air-conditioned storage unit. At Safeguard Self Storage, all of our facilities that offer this helpful feature. You’ll receive air-conditioned storage with multiple security features for all your important paper documents when you rent from Safeguard Self Storage.

 

Invest in Proper Storage Materials

It is best to keep your paper documents in a container that is safe and doesn't cause further damage to your items. Archival containers are the best option for this type of storage. However, boxes, paper sleeves, and folders can also be used if they are made of the proper material. Look for materials that are low-lignin or lignin-free.

You will also want to make sure that whatever sleeve or container you use, it is made with polyvinyl chloride, as this will help prolong the life of your documents. Also, if you are storing your documents in a box or bin, you will need to make sure you have plastic slips or sleeves on each piece of paper to keep them from tearing easily or getting wet.

 

Take Extra Care of Highly Acidic Documents

If you are planning to store documents that are printed on acidic paper, you may consider scanning them and either printing them on acid-free paper or creating a digital file. However, if there is no way around it, just make sure you are keeping them stored in a separate container away from your other documents. Highly acidic documents such as newspaper clippings require extra care and need to be kept away from other types of materials to avoid damage to both documents.

The final thing you need to pay attention to when it comes to storing paper documents for a long period of time is how they will be stored. The best thing to do for your documents is to keep them stored flat in whatever container you choose. Rolling them or folding them could cause your documents to fade, tear, or warp in some way.

You also don’t want to group documents together with paper clips or rubber bands. Paper clips can cause tears or rust stains and rubber bands can deteriorate or ruin the integrity of your documents. If you are storing documents in boxes, make sure they are not kept on the ground and are instead on shelves or stacked on something.

 

Rent Secure Document Storage From Safeguard Self Storage Today

Follow these simple steps to ensure your items are being kept in optimal condition as they are being stored. If you need a secure facility to store your most important documents, rent document storage from Safeguard Self Storage. With air-conditioned units as well as several other top-of-the-line features, our storage units cannot be beaten. Rent or reserve secure document storage from your nearest Safeguard Self Storage facility online today.

For more storage tips and tricks, take a look at our other blog posts or check out our self storage tips page.

The Ins and Outs of New Orleans French Quarter

The Ins and Outs of New Orleans French Quarter

The crown jewel of New Orleans, the French Quarter is an absolute must-see when you’re visiting NOLA. Rich with character and history, there’s nowhere else where you can experience the same vibrancy that makes the French Quarter so charming.

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or just looking for some new ideas for what to do in the French Quarter, the storage experts at Safeguard Self Storage know some of the best spots.

Best Food in the French Quarter

If there’s anything New Orleans is known for, it’s the delicious food. From gumbo to crawfish to king cake, New Orleans food is beloved by many. When you have the opportunity to try real New Orleans cuisine, that’s something you can’t miss out on.

Finding the best restaurants in the French Quarter is no easy feat, as there are many phenomenal places to eat in the French Quarter. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite spots to help get you started.

Breakfast 

For breakfast in the French Quarter, we highly recommend you try Café Fleur De Lis. Pancakes, eggs benedict, omelets, and more create a mouthwatering menu to start your morning off right 

Coffee

When it comes to our favorite coffee shops in the French Quarter, we’re torn between the famous Café du Monde and Café Beignet. Both have delicious beignets and rich coffee, so we suggest you try both and let us know what you think.

Lunch and Dinner

When in New Orleans, you simply have to order seafood. More than 850 million pounds of seafood come from the waters of Louisiana each year, meaning you’re bound to try some of the freshest seafood you’ve ever had.

There’s no better place to find seafood in the French Quarter than at Deanie’s Seafood. With great shrimp, crawfish, and atmosphere, you’ll enjoy a meal that embodies the spirit of New Orleans.

Things To Do in the French Quarter

Between meals, you can find all sorts of ways to keep yourself entertained. There are many things to do in the French Quarter. Here are some of our favorites.

Shop Near the French Quarter Market

Spanning six blocks, the French Market is a series of shops and restaurants that run parallel to the Mississippi River. Browse through art, home décor, and apparel, then treat yourself to a delicious dessert, such as that at The Fudgery.

 And certainly don’t miss the farmer’s market, which is open daily. Local produce and specialty foods make this market one of the top destinations in the area.

Take a Ghost Tour of New Orleans French Quarter

Did you know that the French Quarter is a hot spot for paranormal investigators? If you have two hours to spare, you can visit the haunted places of the French Quarter on a Ghosts and Legends Tour. Learn about French Quarter history and mystique while staying on the lookout for spooky activity!

Walk Around Jackson Square

Located on Decatur Street, Jackson Square is a beautiful place to walk and hang out, but you can also peruse the open-air artist colony. Artists of all sorts display their work near this historic landmark 

Storage Near the French Quarter at Safeguard Self Storage

If you live in an apartment or own a business in the French Quarter, there’s not many places that can top a location like that. However, if you feel like you’re outgrowing the space you have, there’s an easy and convenient solution you’re guaranteed to love: self storage at Safeguard.

Our storage facility in New Orleans is located on Erato Street in the Lower Garden district. We’re within three miles of Jackson Square. At Safeguard Self Storage, you can rent climate controlled storage in New Orleans that’s flexible and affordable. Plus, we always put emphasis on the security of your stored belongings, so our New Orleans storage facility has features such as computer controlled access via keypad or smart phone, digital video recording and store intercom system.

We’re proud to provide self storage near the French Quarter for our local residents and businesses. Stop by to see everything we have to offer or rent or reserve a storage unit online to get started today!

Get Your Green Thumb Back This Spring

Get Your Green Thumb Back This Spring

 

There’s no better time to go outside and get your hands dirty than the break of spring. As the sun begins to emerge and cold weather becomes a thing of the past, many people take the chance to spruce up and revitalize their home gardens—or in some cases, plant them for the first time.

There’s endless enjoyment to be had maintaining spring garden plants, but whether you’re a novice gardener or a bona fide horticulturist, there are some important things to keep in mind. In addition to understanding when to plant your spring garden and what you want to grow, you must consider the impacts your environment and space situation will have throughout the process.

Things To Remember

There are countless factors when it comes to maintaining that Spring garden you’ve dreamed about. Keep reading for more spring planting tips and for ideas on what to plant in your spring garden.

Soil Quality and Climate

One of the most important factors in successfully maintaining a spring garden is understanding how where you live impacts what you can plant. Differences in temperature and soil hardiness around the world means certain plants will only grow in certain areas. For example, many vegetables like carrots require a cool climate, so they’ll only grow in warm areas during the winter and in cold areas during the summer. Research your region’s annual climate, soil hardiness, and general gardening guidelines to rule out things that won’t survive in your yard.

Grow What You Have Room For

In addition to environmental constraints, you also need to consider what your physical limitations will be when starting a spring garden. Apartment dwellers will likely have much less space to work with than homeowners, and even then, everyone’s situation is different. Measure the space you plan to use ahead of time and plan where things will go to ensure you won’t run out of room.

It Will Take Time

Arguably the most important thing to remember when beginning the process of planting a spring garden is that results won’t come overnight—or even very fast at all. Plants take a long time to grow, especially many of the crops often planted in the spring. But if you remain patient and commit to watering and maintaining your plants, it will feel that much more rewarding when they bloom.

Best Flowers To Plant in Spring

When considering the best flowers to plant in spring, many opt for bright, vivacious colors to match the vibrancy of the changing seasons. Petunias, marigolds, and pansies are among some of the prettiest and most popular springtime flowers that need to be planted annually. Zinnias, gladiolus, and hydrangeas are other flowers you’ll commonly find in home gardens, and if you have enough space, you’ll see quite a few sunflowers and morning glories.

Best Vegetables To Plant in Spring

Nothing beats the taste of a fresh spring salad, especially when you grew all of the ingredients yourself. The best vegetables to plant in spring just happen to be some of the tastiest, and they’re all relatively easy to grow if you know what you’re doing. Get your greens in by planting cabbages, kale, lettuce, and broccoli as the winter ends, and follow it up with some spinach, arugula, and leeks. Apartment gardeners or other people working with limited space often have success planting peppers, cauliflower, onions, and more small vegetables.

Best Fruits To Plant in Spring

Biting into a juicy, ripe fruit you picked from your garden is one of the top ways to enjoy warm weather. When considering the best fruits to plant in the spring, you need to think about what you enjoy but also what will be easy to grow. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are some of the simplest fruits to plant and can be an easy and delicious snack. Grapes, tomatoes, and melons take up a little more space but can be some of the best-tasting fruits you can grow when done right. And if you have the space to plant a fruit tree, your options expand tremendously. Cherries, peaches, and apples can be harvested after your tree has grown.

Rent Storage for Gardening Equipment With Safeguard Self Storage

Maintaining a garden is undoubtedly rewarding, but it takes a lot of equipment. If you find that your home, garage, or shed can’t fit all of your gardening gear, consider investing in some extra space with Safeguard Self Storage. We offer affordable self storage units across the country with options for business storage, student storage, personal storage, and more. Find the closest Safeguard Self Storage facility to you to get started today!

How Self Storage Can Help Small Businesses

 

Small business owners have plenty of things to think about on a daily basis. Whether you’re an artisan company that requires a personal touch or a new startup with major plans for future growth, finding an office or workshop space that fits your needs is difficult enough. Finding a place with both work space and storage space just makes things harder. Self storage is a useful tool that can help you grow your business and maximize your working space.

How Self Storage Can Help Your Business

Self storage can help small businesses in several key areas. When your operations are bigger than your space or your growth exceeds the room you have to work, self storage gives you the options and flexibility to expand your operations in the way that works best for your specific circumstances. When used properly, it can even help improve the productivity of your office.

 

Declutter Your Space 

When you and your employees are in the office, work should be getting done. Having a cluttered office or workspace can cause decreased productivity. Cluttered and chaotic environments make it harder to focus on tasks and place unnecessary burdens on the mental health of workers. With self storage, you can remove extra furniture, old physical files, or other items taking up space from your office and store them off-site. Once you’ve uncluttered your workspace, you’ll likely find it easier to get work done.

 

Save Money

Offices are expensive. With so much money on the line, it’s important to find the best one available to you that works with your budget. If your current office space is feeling too small for what you want to do, it might be time for a new place. However, that can get expensive. Instead, maximize the space you have with self storage. Most storage units will cost less per month than an expanded office space while still giving you the space you need to be productive. Clear out store rooms or record rooms and turn those spaces into spots for your business.

 

Industries That Can Benefit From Self Storage

Every business needs space for something. Whether it’s for storage, manufacturing, or office work, space is an essential part of your business operations. With a self storage unit, you can reduce the need for storage in your office so you can use that space for your actual business. Almost any industry can benefit from the additional storage space, but there are a few that can get the most from self storage.

Sales

While many sales jobs don’t involve dragging products around the country, salespeople do need a place to keep their products with easy access. You can find a centrally located facility that makes it easy for you to swing by and grab what you need on your way to your next appointment. Storage for pharmaceutical representatives in particular is a major convenience boost.

 

Retail

Most retail locations don’t need long-term storage solutions because they have their own storehouses where they can keep inventory. However, self storage is a great way to supplement built-in storage options when you need a little extra room. For example, if you wanted to have an extra supply of popular items right before a major festival in your town, you could rent a storage unit long enough to store the shipment and replenish your storefront as needed.

 

Home Businesses

With the recent rise in work from home culture, there has also been a rise in businesses running out of the garage, basement, and living room. While there might be benefits from starting a business out of the comfort of your home, it has its drawbacks as well. None more prevalent than the inevitable lack of space that could ensue. Investing in self storage gives you an opportunity to stash away the things that you don’t need right away that are likely taking up that precious space. Don’t let the lack of space in your home be the thing that prevents you from starting your dream business, and especially not when Safeguard Self Storage is nearby and ready to help.

 

  

Contractors

Contractors rarely have a consistent space designed for their work. Since your work travels from job to job at different locations, it can be difficult to find a good place to keep your gear. Storing at home takes up your personal space and blurs the work-life balance lines. You can store things at each worksite, but that also leaves you vulnerable to losing items or having them taken. Self storage can be a great solution by allowing you to store your gear in a more central location away from home while still allowing you to maintain more control over who has access to your belongings.

 

Find Commercial Storage at Safeguard

Whatever your small business’s storage needs might be, you can find the space you need at Safeguard Self Storage. We offer business storage across six states that’s perfect to support your company’s operations. Find a storage facility near your workplace and rent online today to claim your Safeguard Self Storage unit.

Decluttering Your Home After the Holidays

Woman neatly organizing items in closet

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by leftover clutter from the holidays, you’re not alone. Whether it’s putting away holiday decorations, finding a spot for new household items, or simply decluttering your home, we have tips to help you get started. Decluttering your house can help you stay organized and stress-free. We’ll walk through how to declutter your home and organize it, and offer tips on how to keep it organized.

How To Declutter Your Home

Not sure where to start when it comes to decluttering your home? We have tips and tricks that can help make the process easier. For example, starting a list or sorting out items is a good place to start. A tip for avoiding overwhelm is to break up the process into pieces or stages. A lot of times looking at the big picture of a project can be intimidating. Whether it’s picking out a room to start in or setting goals, taking these steps can help you start the process.

Organization Tips and Tricks

Woman creating a to-do list in a planner next to glasses

Being organized can help you stay focused and it can promote productivity. While you may be organized in other areas of your life such as at work, it’s important to implement those habits at home, too. Having designated areas for personal belongings can help you in your daily routine. Whether it’s investing in storage containers and organizers, buying furniture that includes inside storage, or downsizing your items, organization can help you avoid clutter and piles of miscellaneous items.

Sort Out and Categorize Your Belongings

As you begin to clean out and organize your home, it can be helpful to group items together either by their designated room or category. The best part of organizing is that you have the freedom to go about the process as you wish. You can be creative throughout the process by adding in your personal style—for instance, picking out storage containers that have a design you like or furniture that doubles as storage.

Utilize Storage Organizers

Cube storage organizer with a variety of white, tan, and gray containers.

Luckily, you have options when it comes to picking out storage organizers. There are many different types of storage organizers based on different storage needs. A common household storage organizer is the cube organizer. These organizers are square shelves that contain fabric cubes or boxes for storing items. The fabric cubes come in different colors and designs, so you can choose them based on your home décor. These organizers are available at stores including Target and Walmart that are affordable, which is a plus.

Another great way to store household items is with wire rack shelves. Whether you’ve run out of pantry space, need to organize items in your garage, or additional space for items in your closet, a wire rack can help. Wire racks are fairly versatile as many come with wheels and can be easily moved as needed. If you have plastic totes full of seasonal décor, or shoes and other miscellaneous items that need a home, you can easily stack them on a wire shelf.

Use Storage Furniture

Another option for storing personal belongings around the home is storage furniture. There are a variety of different types of furniture pieces that include hidden storage space. When you need a spot to store spare books or electronics when you aren’t using them, consider a couch or chair that has built-in storage space. Other common storage furniture pieces are benches or chests. Not only do benches add additional seating and style to your home, but they can also double as storage for shoes, purses, and more.

Get Creative With Your Space

As your collection of belongings may expand for a variety of reasons, you’re required to get creative with the space that you have. Whether you’re adjusting to a new lifestyle, are in the middle of a move, or simply have taken on new hobbies that require extra belongings, it’s important to make space in your home for the things most important to you.

Whether it’s getting crafty with dual-function storage spaces or investing in storage organizers, you can find the right fit for you. However, sometimes you may run out of new ways to get creative with your belongings. Utilizing self storage can help you free up space in your home and keep you organized.

Find Your Self Storage Unit at Safeguard Self Storage

Free up space in your home and find your storage unit at Safeguard Self Storage. We have a wide selection of storage units available to accommodate your storage needs. Additionally, you can take advantage of modern storage features that can make the storage process easier. Find a Safeguard Self Storage location near you to get started!