The coronavirus has changed life for everyone in the world. It has affected how we interact with each other and canceled many events this year, including Halloween in some parts of the country. With a few social distancing tips from Safeguard Self Storage in New Orleans, LA, your children will not have to miss the spooky fun on Halloween night.

3 Social Distancing Tips During Halloween

Turn your home into a haunted house.

Ghosts, ghouls, and goblins—oh my! Transform your home into a haunted house fit for zombies and other scary things. Stock up on decorations like spider webs, strobe lights, and hanging ghosts. Battery-operated sound machines can create spooky noises while eerie music on a Bluetooth player sets the mood. If you have limited space in places like your basement, garage, or spare bedrooms, our New Orleans self storage units on Erato Street can help you utilize more space for your DIY haunted house.

Go on a candy scavenger hunt.

Hunting for eggs on Easter is fun for kids of all ages. What about letting them hunt for candy on Halloween? If they are unable to go trick-or-treating, let them go on a candy scavenger hunt in their own backyard. You can hide candy in a variety of places and set a time for your kids to find it all. Take it one step further by creating a Halloween-themed piñata. Not only will they be able to search for candy, but they can also get together and break open the piñata to discover the surprises inside.

Tell ghost stories with video chat.

Trick-or-treating is all about getting together with friends and visiting every house on the block. The coronavirus is preventing friends and family from walking the sidewalks at night in search of tricks and treats. That does not mean they cannot get together online for some scary ghost stories. Install the Zoom app on your phone or computer, and let your children get together with their friends for some spooky stories on Halloween.

Use New Orleans Self Storage to Store Your Seasonal Decor

The coronavirus does not have to stop you from enjoying the holidays this year. If you take precautions and practice these social distancing tips, you and your family can participate in the Halloween fun even from home.

Once Halloween is over, it is time to put those decorations in storage and save space until the next holiday season. Thankfully, our New Orleans storage units are conveniently located on Erato Street to help you clear out your seasonal belongings with ease. Plus, you can take advantage of our contactless unit rental process to store near you with confidence. Reserve your unit at our Erato Street facility today!

When it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, new societal rules have taken a toll on all of us. From wearing face coverings in public spaces to working from home becoming the new normal, people across the country have changed their daily routines to curb the spread of this dangerous virus. Consequently, one group of youngsters has had to adapt to these major changes practically overnight: students.

With new regulations being implemented in schools—such as adding sneeze guards around desks or minimizing physical interaction between peers—many students have been introduced to hybrid learning for the first time. Hybrid learning combines online and in-person education into one curriculum, meaning some students can learn remotely while others learn in a traditional classroom setting simultaneously.

While hybrid learning has been around for some time, many teachers and parents are just now adopting these remote learning strategies to keep students’ exposure to a minimum while ensuring learners are still getting the education they need to succeed. But if you are a parent who is new to hybrid learning, you may be wondering how to provide your child with the best at-home educational experience possible.

At Safeguard Self Storage, we know the first step to ensuring your child stays on track while learning from home is creating an organized hybrid-learning environment. Fortunately, with these easy at-home classroom organization ideas handy, you can rest assured your child will remain focused, motivated, and excited to learn during these unusual times.

Choosing the Right Hybrid Learning Space At Home

Establishing a healthy learning environment for your child goes hand-in-hand with their ability to absorb subject matter and think critically. Rather than having them complete their coursework in common areas around your home (such as at the kitchen table or on the living room sofa), it’s important they have a designated space that’s quiet, is well-organized, and provides all of the learning tools they need in one place.

 Once you have an area picked out that’s perfect for remote learning—like a spare bedroom or office space—then you can focus on keeping your kid’s workspace clutter-free.

4 Classroom Organization Ideas for Remote Learning

From creating an easily digestible class schedule to establishing a designated area for materials, here are a few classroom organization ideas you can use to turn your child’s at-home classroom into an organizational oasis.

1. Supersize Your Child’s Class Schedule

While not a physical item, your child’s class schedule is one of the most important things to organize right away. An easy-to-read and streamlined schedule will allow your student (and you) to stay on track with their curriculum while they are out of the classroom. A fun and easy way to create a visually appealing class schedule is to dedicate an area of your wall to chalkboard paint.

 With chalkboard paint, you can create a daily calendar above your child’s desk or learning area, which makes it easy to refer to as they work on their studies throughout the day. Plus, when you need to make edits, you can easily wipe away old text and write in new. If you would rather not dedicate an area of your wall to chalkboard paint, you could also hang a large whiteboard, bulletin board, or a traditional chalkboard. 

2. Create a Curriculum Control Center

When your child’s school supplies are unorganized, it can be difficult for them to stay on track—not to mention it can be a waste of their school time if they are constantly looking for materials they need. Instead of leaving things like textbooks, notebooks, folders, and craft supplies lying around, create a curriculum control center that is a focal point for your student. Large bookshelves with extra space for individual storage bins will work perfectly for your control center.

Moveable Control Centers

If space is limited in your child’s hybrid learning environment, it might be difficult to create a permanent curriculum control center. Instead, you can create multiple moveable control centers on rolling storage carts. As a bonus, these carts can easily be wheeled away into a closet or other storage area on the weekend to free up space. 

3. Give Each School Subject Its Own Color

Speaking of keeping things organized in your curriculum control center, it is best to designate individual storage bins to each subject your child is studying. No matter if you use small plastic tubs or file holders, assign a specific color to areas of study like English, science, history, and math. Then create labels for each subject so they are easy to remember and spot on the fly.

4. Minimize Distractions with Help from Safeguard Self Storage

If your child is new to a hybrid learning environment, at-home distractions can quickly pull their attention away from getting schoolwork done—especially if you are unable to designate a dedicated learning area in your home due to limited space. Thankfully, Safeguard Self Storage is here to help your child get the most out of their remote learning experience.

Whether you need to transform a spare room or a section of your child’s bedroom into a makeshift classroom, our convenient storage solutions are here to help. With a wide selection of unit sizes and types, you can rid your child’s at-home study space from things like seasonal sports equipment, unused belongings, or clutter with ease.

Create the perfect hybrid learning environment for your child; find your local Safeguard Self Storage facility today to start saving valuable space!

Winter RV storage isn't too far away, but you're not ready to slow down just yet. The cooler temperatures are starting to feel just right. Leaves are on their way to becoming brilliant with autumn colors. You can put everything into your Harvey, LA, self storage unit later. It is time to hit the open road and enjoy these fantastic fall RV trips:

Head North to Maine

The best fall RV trips feature wonderful changes of scenery. Make it happen in Maine with a stay in Arcadia National Park. Immerse yourself in the beauty of spruce and fir forests. Bask on sandy beaches and climb rocky cliffs. Travel back to the 1800s with a tour of Arcadia's historic lighthouses on Mount Desert Island.

Explore Caverns in Kentucky

Deep beneath Kentucky's bluegrass lies a cavernous underground world. Drive your RV to Mammoth Cave National Park and take the plunge. Rangers lead the way as you explore the Mammoth Dome and Bottomless Pit. Nearby RV sites offer late-year camping and fishing fun along some of Kentucky's most scenic rivers.

Relax on Florida Beaches

Count on world-class beach combing just 40 miles west of Orlando at Florida's Cocoa Beach. Slide south down the Space Coast to Vero Beach for even more relaxing RV fun. Take your time. The friendly people and beautiful sights in Florida make it easy to extend your autumn vacation in the Sunshine State.

Drive Across Texas

Not many fall RV trips cover canyons, islands, and mountain ranges. Start an unforgettable journey at Palo Duro Canyon in the Texas High Plains. Ease on south to Galveston Island for a little fishing. Finish your Lone Star RV adventure out west in the majestic Fort Davis Mountains.

Cruise the California Coast

California's Pacific Coast Highway belongs on every end-of-season vacation wish list. The celebrated route includes RV camping in Big Sur. Hike down seaside cliffs. Walk the unspoiled sands of Pfeiffer Beach. Finish your coastal cruise at the edge of Big Sur's magnificent 80-foot McWay Falls.

Stay Ready for Next Year

Everyone who loves the RV life loves to travel year-round. Still, that faithful home on wheels deserves a winter break. When you are done with fall expeditions, it's time to treat the camper right with Safeguard’s outdoor RV storage in Harvey, LA. With our newly redesigned fenced parking area which includes new asphalt, bright LED lighting, a variety of extra-wide parking spaces, and some with drive-thru access (no backing in or out required), you can feel comfortable with your RV stored with us until you hit the open road again next year.

The end of summer always changes backyard routines. Lawn equipment, barbecue grills, and outdoor toys move into Hawthorne, NJ, self storage units. It is time to decide on how and when to close the pool before winter sets in. You want a schedule that keeps your home water park open as long as possible. These tips can help:

Knowing When to Close the Pool

Most pool professionals recommend shutting down late in the fall unless your pool is surrounded by deciduous trees. The advice is based on two factors: water temperature and falling leaves.

If you close the pool while it's still warm, winter protection treatments may not last through spring. However, a constant downpour of autumn leaves and debris adds to cleaning chores.

Aim for a balance between pool water temperature and your maintenance workload. When the water temperature stays around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, close the pool. If skimming leaves turns into an endless routine before then, go ahead and shut down a little early.

How to Close Your Pool for Winter

Set the scene for closing your pool by rounding up water toys, swimming gear, and summertime equipment. Give yourself plenty of room to work by moving excess seasonal items into your Hawthorne self storage unit. Now, you are ready to winterize the pool like a pro.

1. Balance Pool Water Chemistry

Adjust pool water chemistry with a chlorine shock several days before you plan on shutting down the pool. Otherwise, the chemicals might affect the pool cover.

2. Clean, Lower, and Drain

Remove any remaining leaves and debris with a final skim and vacuum. Lower pool water level several inches below skimmers. Drain filters, pumps, and heaters.

3. Check and Prep for Winter

Check the pool's mechanical system and take care of routine maintenance and repairs. Make sure the entire plumbing network is prepped for freezing weather.

4. Use a Combo Cover

Finish by protecting the pool with a combination leaf and safety cover. When spring rolls back around, pulling off the leaf layer makes it easier to remove the heavier safety cover.

Weather the Seasons with Safeguard

If you need extra tips on how to close your pool for winter, check online DIY videos and pool builders' sites. If you need extra space for keeping pool gear or other seasonal belongings safe through the winter, check out our climate-controlled storage units in Hawthorne, NJ. Safeguard makes it easy to weather the seasons, and we are here for you year-round.

When it comes to decluttering your home, surface-level organization only puts a temporary band-aid on your messy space. And, while your first trip to your Hermosa self storage unit might get things off to a good start, bad cleaning habits can put you right back to square one in no time. At Safeguard in Chicago, IL, our storage experts at here to help you rethink how to clear clutter at home without unintentionally making the job harder on yourself.

6 Decluttering Mistakes You Can Conquer

1. Overthinking At-Home Storage Systems

Resist the temptation to stock up on storage systems before you declutter the house. Clever cabinet organizers and suspended closet shelves are great, but hold off on buying them until you sort out clutter first. Once you are done, you will be able to keep your at-home storage systems clean, organized, and easy to navigate.

2. Working Without a Plan

Don't try to figure out a decluttering strategy while you are in the middle of going through your belongings. Start with a plan on paper that lists problems in each room. Break cluttered spaces into manageable zones. Figure out a schedule that lets you make progress every day. Save your sanity by keeping it flexible.

3. Skipping Over Sorting

Maximize efficiency by sorting as you dig in. Streamline the process by setting up container stations in each room. This lets you quickly sort items into boxes for keepers, throwaways, and things headed for long-term storage.

4. Being Emotionally Distracted

Special treasures can derail figuring out how to clear clutter at home. This is not the time to sit down with a favorite photo album. Put that wonderful journal in a keeper box and move on. Enjoy things you are emotionally attached to after you have decluttered the house.

5. Worrying About Monetary Value

You paid good money for it. Should you really let it go? This reasonable question can set back your best decluttering efforts. Frame it differently. Could that item generate extra cash at your next garage sale? If the answer is yes, move it to your storage unit for now.

6. Having Second Thoughts

It's easy to stack those well-organized boxes in neat piles and relax, but be careful. Do not give yourself time to second-guess all your hard work. Avoid a change of mind by getting everything out of the house. Move keepers and donations to self storage as soon as you can.

Conquering Clutter With Safeguard Self Storage

Conquering clutter around the house gives you the serenity of an organized home. And stashing your excess belongings in one of our climate controlled storage units in Hermosa gives you the luxury of extra space. Here at Safeguard, we are happy to offer the peace of mind that comes with always having room to spare. When you need to expand your decluttering options, trust Safeguard Self Storage in Chicago, IL, to serve you with the best.

We all enjoy summer weather until the heat invades our personal home space. Scorching temperatures outside can make an apartment feel like an oven. It can even affect some of your favorite belongings.

When the AC struggles to keep up, you need a few easy hacks to help bring back the chill. Fortunately, climate controlled storage units at Safeguard in Valley Stream, NY, can keep your stuff protected while you focus on how to stay cool in your apartment the summer.

Five Cool Things You Really Need This Summer

1. Serious Seals

Put your DIY talents to work by sealing windows and doors with rope caulk or felt strips. Make sure exterior door sweeps are in good shape. Colorful draft blockers on windowsills also help beat the heat and brighten up the apartment.

2. Better Curtains

If you have extra curtains stashed away in self storage, bring them home. Layered window coverings block summer heat and help hold down utility bills. Think about buying thermal curtains made with acrylic foam linings.

3. Cooler Lights

Figuring out how to stay cool in the summer can be good for the planet. Reduce heat inside by replacing lights with eco-friendly LED bulbs. Energy-efficient LEDs generate less heat and last longer than traditional lights.

4. Frosty Bowls

It is too hot to cook, so fill those big metal and ceramic mixing bowls with ice cubes. Set them in front of fans around the apartment and hit the switch. Relax as you bask in steady, chilly breezes.

5. Personal Coolers

Wrap yourself up in personal cooling systems that do not cost a dime. Place wet bandanas or cloths in the freezer for half an hour. Slip one around your neck, another around a wrist, and one on top of your head. Trade out as needed for a chill you can enjoy over and over.

Items That Deserve Climate-Controlled Storage Units

As hard as the heat can be on you, think about how it affects some of your belongings. Check around the apartment and gather up items that need summertime protection in self storage. Don't overlook these valuables:

• Expensive electronics
• Older media such as DVDs
• Artwork and photographs
• Sensitive musical instruments
• Antique furnishings and collectibles
• Comic book and stamp collections

Staying Cool and Secure With Safeguard

Knowing how to stay cool in the summer makes life a little easier. Knowing your favorite things are in a new storage facility designed to keep them safe and secure, climate-controlled storage makes it even better. Give us a call here at Safeguard Self Storage in Valley Stream, NY, today and let us help you weather the seasons all year-round.

The front seat is your go-to spot for casual dining. Sometimes, you stash a change of clothes in the trunk. When you are always on the road, your car or truck can easily become your second home. It is a great setup until your belongings and waste pile up, so knowing how to keep your car clean keeps your home away from home comfortable and safe.

With these smart car cleaning tips and simple rules from Safeguard Self Storage, you can ensure your ride stays clutter-free—even if you are constantly on the road. And, after you get in the routine of keeping your car clean, you can work on decluttering your home with a little help from our wide selection of Hollywood, FL, storage units.

7 Easy Ways You Can Keep Your Car Clean

1. Box Your Lunch

Plastic divided lunch containers can corral sandwiches and sides, as well as catch crumbs and spills. Use these handy food storage containers as a plate to securely eat drive-through orders or homemade to-go lunches in your vehicle. And, when you are done, you can seal the container until you are ready to toss out scraps.

2. Unstick Cup Holders

There is nothing worse than spilled liquid sloshing around in your cup holder. Rather than letting sugary soda or coffee spills solidify in your holder, cradle drinks large and small in cup holders protected with silicone liners. These affordable inserts save cleanup time, too. When they get dirty, just toss them in the dishwasher and reinsert.

3. Contain Car Trash

Instead of simply tossing trash into your back seat or rear floorboard, you can convert a plastic cereal container into a convenient car trash can. Line the canister with a small plastic bag and fill at will. Your seats and floorboards will love you for it.

4. Keep Cleanup Quick

Wet wipes come to the rescue for spills, smudges, and general car cleaning. Keep a pack of disinfecting wipes in your center console or glove box to clean up messy mistakes behind the wheel.

5. Take Charge of Change

Stash nickels, dimes, and quarters in a coin holder that fits directly into one of your lined cup holders. This simple strategy lets you cruise through tolls without going on a search mission for quarters and keeps loose change from filling up your storage areas.

6. Hang-Up Clutter

Running out of storage compartments for your on-the-go essentials? Suspend a small, multi-pocketed shoe hanger from a front seat headrest and fill it with everything. From computer chargers and paperwork to an actual change of shoes, this organizer will keep your belongings off the floorboard in a neat and orderly way.

7. Tame Your Trunk

Laundry baskets turn your trunk into an organized space that is easy to access and rearrange. Use these bins to separate groceries, organize shopping spree goods, and house a fresh change of clothes when you cannot make it back to your house or apartment.

Simple Rules for Keeping the Car Clean

Now that you know how to keep your car clean, make sure it stays that way with these simple rules:

• Clean It Up - When a mess happens, save time later by cleaning it up right away.
• Take Something Out - Every time you put something in the car, take something out.
• Declutter Weekly - Spend a few minutes each week decluttering and cleaning your car.

Hollywood, FL, Storage Units Give You Extra Breathing Room

Keeping your car clean makes life on the go easier, but what about life at home? At Safeguard Self Storage, our Hollywood, FL, storage units give you the extra room you need to ensure your house or apartment stays clutter-free. No matter if you need to store an additional vehicle or clean out your garage, our wide selection of air-conditioned self storage units will give you breathing room and protect your belongings.

Beautiful weather brings boats out of driveways and New Orleans storage units all along our coastal shores. And, when you head out on the water for the day, you look forward to hours of fun, fishing, and cruising. When you are finally back at the docks, you are looking at a boat that needs cleaning. This guide on how to clean a boat after use in saltwater can help you stay organized as you get your boat ready for another stay in Safeguard’s Harvey, LA, self storage facility.

How Do You Clean a Boat After Salt Water Trips?

Always get your boat cleaned up as soon as you can. Otherwise, salt buildup can damage surfaces and corrode engine components. Follow these five steps every time you get back to shore:

1. Start With a Rinse

Thoroughly rinse the boat with fresh water from bow to stern. Additionally, rinse the engine and follow up with a product formulated for flushing saltwater from boat engines.

2. Clean in Sections

Using a good boat soap, clean your boat’s exterior in sections by working from top to bottom. Rinse well with fresh water. Prevent spots on gelcoat by removing excess water with a chamois or squeegee.

3. Detail Boat Interiors

Salt damages interiors, so give everything a good wipe down. Use a protective vinyl cleaner on seat cushions, plastic, and fiberglass. Polish windows and instrument panels with microfiber mitts.

4. Clean and Check Floors

Vacuum carpeted floors and scrub wood flooring with a stiff brush. Keep an eye out for tears in carpets or damage to flooring. Small problems can easily turn into expensive repairs.

5. Wax and Polish the Hull

Take care of this last step two or three times every season. Wax lays down a protective barrier on gelcoat and also makes it easier to clean the boat after each outing.

How Do You Clean a Boat After Salt Water Fishing?

Bringing home a fresh catch adds a few more steps to the cleaning process. Fill live wells with a mix of water, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide. Run aerators for 30 minutes, drain the wells, and air dry.

How Do You Store a Boat After Cleaning?

Once your boat is clean and dry, keep your it in top shape with these self storage tips:

• Add stabilizer to fuel tanks after draining and refilling.
• Disconnect batteries, and clean terminals.
• Prop hatches open to allow air circulation.
• Prop up seat cushions to keep them fresh.

Our New Orleans Boat Storage Units Fit

Keep it clean, store it right, and your boat will pay you back with years of seaworthy service. We are happy to help with New Orleans boat storage units that fit your boat and budget. You can always depend on us here at Safeguard Self Storage in Harvey, LA, so don’t hesitate to give us a call today!

Now more than ever, it’s critical to protect our environment in any way that we can. In fact, the health of our earth depends on it! In 2019, we experienced the second-warmest year globally in the 140-year record, with temperatures 1.71 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the 20th-century temperature average. On top of the world warming up, carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in our air are at their highest in 650,000 years—and human activities like deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels are making matters worse.

As temperatures continue to rise and CO₂ levels increase, our oceans are steadily warming up. This is causing sinking ice sheets, retreating glaciers, and declining Arctic sea ice—all of which are contributing to rising sea levels, displacement of people in coastal cities, shrinking habitats for animals, and an increase in extreme storms like hurricanes. With this evidence in mind, it’s easy to see why we should protect the environment.

Here at Safeguard, we know discussing our changing climate can feel daunting, as it’s easy to feel like there is nothing we can do to make things better. But we are here to tell you that working towards a healthier planet doesn’t mean drastic life changes or large investments.

With this guide on how to protect the environment, you will be equipped to make subtle changes in your everyday routine that help reduce human-generated carbon emissions and slow down our earth’s rising temperatures. Additionally, you’ll discover how Safeguard has taken steps to make our storage facilities green.

How to Protect the Environment: 8 Simple Ways

Understanding how to protect the environment is the first step to making earth-friendly changes in your everyday life. With these 8 simple steps, you can implement changes that have a positive impact on your local community, ecosystem, and our environment as a whole: 

1. Remember the Four “R’s”

Protecting the environment every day is as simple as remembering to reduce, recycle, reuse, and repeat. Avoid taking freebies at events and purchasing cheaply made goods (especially clothing from fast-fashion retailers) that are on sale. Oftentimes, things we consume end up in a landfill, in the back of a closet, or in a junk drawer, so focus on buying only essential items or things that are built to last.

When it comes to recycling, try to stay away from single-use plastic cups, bottles, and straws and instead opt for reusable containers. This goes for ordering take-out food, too, as many types of food containers are plastic and non-biodegradable. When grocery shopping, try not to forget those reusable bags! If you do, don’t be afraid to ask for paper bags instead of plastic.

2. Change Up Your Transportation

If you own a car but live in a city with public transit, try to limit the use of your personal vehicle as much as possible. From city buses to subways, public transportation is much more fuel-efficient than individual cars or trucks. This goes for carpooling with friends, family, or coworkers, too!

If you’d rather not use public transit or carpool, consider biking to more places on the weekends. Not only will this cut your carbon emissions down to zero, but you’ll also get a great workout.

Happen to be in the market for a new car? Many vehicle manufacturers are producing long-range, all-electric vehicles that eliminate the need for gasoline entirely. Plus, with an electric vehicle, you’ll save money by avoiding the fluctuating oil prices at the pump.

3. Switch Your Light Bulbs

While it may seem simple, choosing energy-efficient light bulbs in your home or apartment will reduce your greenhouse gas emissions overnight. And, as a tip, always remember to flip off your light switches, TV, and any other electronic device when you are not actively using it.

4. Consume Less Water

And we’re not encouraging you to drink less water—stay hydrated! From brushing your teeth to taking a shower, conserving water at home starts with self-discipline. Try to limit the amount of time you spend in the shower, always turn off the water while you brush your teeth, and only run your dishwasher or laundry machine when you have a full load.

When it comes to watering plants or landscaping, consider collecting rainwater for future use rather than always using your hose. Also, make sure to take a tour of your space frequently to ensure you don’t have any leaky faucets.

5. Install a Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats are an easy way to conserve electricity, as your thermostat contributes to nearly half of your energy bill. With a smart thermostat installed, your system will learn your home temperature patterns and adjust according to whether you are home or not. Simply put, it conserves energy by pulling back on heating and cooling when your home is not occupied. As a bonus, installing a smart thermostat will save you money on your electricity bill.

6. Utilize Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

If you purchase traditional cleaners—such as laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, all-purpose cleaner, or toilet bowl cleaner—they will come filled with harmful chemicals that run down your drain and eventually find their way into our waterways. When shopping for cleaners, look for products made with non-toxic ingredients in biodegradable containers. Not only will this keep our waterways and wildlife safe, but it will also prevent plastic from filling up our landfills.

7. Shop Local

If you stop and think about where your everyday products come from, many are most likely shipped from areas across the world (especially if you’re an avid online shopper). Alarmingly, the transportation industry is responsible for 28.2% of greenhouse gas emissions in the US, making it the largest producer of CO₂ out of all of our economic sectors.

While fast shipping and large selections from online retailers may be alluring, opt to shop locally for as many products as you can, such as package-free food from your local farmers market. 

8. Start a Compost

Food waste is a large contributor to the trash cycle, not to mention it is responsible for a significant portion of methane emissions in landfills. Rather than simply tossing out your fruit peels, veggie scraps, or coffee grounds, you can create a low-maintenance compost pile at home. Composting reduces the need to use chemical fertilizers in your lawn, enriches your soil, and lowers your carbon footprint.

Safeguard’s Green Initiatives

At Safeguard, we understand the importance of protecting our environment, so we’ve made it our goal to create sustainable self storage solutions for our customers. With more than 24 facilities across New York and New Jersey featuring rooftop solar panels, our green buildings produce more than 90% of all energy consumed. Talk about harnessing the power of the sun!

We are also in the process of expanding our solar initiative to our sixteen locations in the Chicagoland area. Stay tuned!

Store the Eco-Friendly Way at Safeguard

Although it’s important to consume less, we get that you sometimes need a little extra room for storage when space runs low. Whether you are in the process of moving into a new apartment or home, or your small business needs some additional square footage for merchandise, you can feel confident you’re storing the environmentally friendly way at Safeguard.

If you’re ready to start saving space and protect the environment, contact your local solar-powered Safeguard facility in New York or New Jersey today to learn more about our variety of unit sizes and types.

When it comes to fast fashion, there are few benefits for you or our planet. Although these clothes may be affordable and on-trend with high-end fashion retailers, they are cheaply made and eventually contribute to a significant amount of waste in landfills around the globe.

While we all want to dress in a way to express our personalities, there is a global price to pay when you choose to shop at fast-fashion retailers—and that price is contributing to more carbon emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste.

At Safeguard Self Storage in Brooklyn, NY, we all want to do our best for the planet while expressing our individuality, which is why we wanted to take a closer look at how you can get the most out of a fashionable wardrobe without impacting the environment.

Why Is Fast Fashion Bad?

It's hard to resist the latest trends when you can buy three affordable versions at a fast-fashion retailer. And, while it can be fun to invest in easily accessible, trendy clothes for a diverse wardrobe, that joy wears off quickly due to changing trends or items falling apart from poor craftsmanship. Speaking of changing trends: as styles change with the times, fast fashion houses are forced into manufacturing new articles of clothing to keep up, which contributes to significant global carbon emissions.

Cheap materials quickly wear out. Once those new jeans fade or lose their shape, you move on. Think about the expense of stuffing your closets with fast fashion. Replacement costs add up, and replaced items end up in a landfill if they are not disposed of properly or donated. Remember, quality lasts, and that's better for your long-term budget and the health of our planet.

Stop Before You Toss

It may seem easy to throw out inexpensive items, but make sure to stop before you toss. Remember that fabric decomposing in landfills emits toxic greenhouse gases, and clothes are always better off being donated. If an item is torn or damaged, sew it up yourself or support a local business that offers mending services.

Choose Quality Over Quantity

Invest in your wardrobe and our planet by making quality clothing purchases, even if they have a higher up-front cost. These items will be wearable and durable for years to come and can be easily mended if damage occurs.

Additionally, try to source ethical, trustworthy clothing companies that work hard to reduce carbon emissions and treat their employees fairly. And always follow the recommended care instructions to ensure your washing machine doesn’t harm them.

How Clothing Storage Can Help

Rather than tossing out or donating the clothes you already own, you can make room in your closet for high-quality items by adding additional storage space with Safeguard. With our wide selection of climate controlled self storage units, you can keep the items you’ve already purchased out of landfills, save space at home, and come back to them whenever you desire.

When you organize clothes for self storage, you can also clear up cluttered home storage spaces and donate things you don't want to keep. In addition, you can monetize extra items by selling them to a used clothing dealer near you. The idea is to give old clothes a new life instead of throwing them away, allowing you to transition from fast fashion to a wardrobe that lasts—and that's good for you and the planet.

Store Extra Clothes at a Safeguard Facility Near You

Safeguard Self Storage can help you protect our environment by giving you affordable storage solutions that always fit. We offer climate-controlled clothing storage in Brooklyn in a variety of sizes (including units the size of a standard closet), and our leasing options are flexible, too. You want the best clothing storage available, and Safeguard is here to help. Call us today to rent a unit or reserve a space online!