The Art of the Move

Do you have a lot of artwork to handle during your move? Are you worried about protecting your art from damage? A mobile storage unit is a great place for art that needs to be stable and secure. Most likely your art is as valuable as some of your most prized belongings. Having a mobile storage unit delivered to the place you are moving out of means that you can control how your artwork is packed. You will want to wrap your artwork in protective parchment paper, glassine, or fabric, and then pack it inside a specialized box (such as a mirror box) with bubble wrap or packing foam. Carefully store the artwork upright--never place it flat, as it can collapse. Then you can have your mobile unit delivered to either a storage warehouse (opt for climate-controlled) or to your new home. Hopefully you will have finished painting your walls and your artwork will provide that final touch to brighten up your new home.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Is your lease about to run out? Are you happy with where you live now, but wondering if there is a better deal out there? Not sure if you will be moving down the block or across the country? Is your significant other moving and and forcing you to decide whether to relocate or not? Perhaps you are a reluctant mover, and are confused about where you want to live. One decision that should be a no-brainer is to get a mobile storage unit so that you can start packing for wherever life brings you next. Pack away all of the items you don't use on a daily basis--off-season clothing, books, or sports equipment that has been collecting dust, for instance. When you have finally made up your mind, you'll have the bulk of your move packed and ready to go. Or, if you decide to stay, call the mobile storage company and have them bring your nonessentials to a storage facility. Hopefully, the more you pack away, the more you will realize what decision is right for you.

Party Time? Excellent!

Are you planning a big event, such as a wedding or family reunion? Are you wondering what to do with all of the decorations, equipment, and supplies needed for the big day? Mobile storage is an excellent solution for moving and storing party items. Imagine the ease of having a container delivered to your home, filled with all of the items needed for the party, moved to the location of the event, and then picked up once the event is over. Party planning can be a big production--choose mobile storage for one less thing to stress about.

Use Mobile Storage to Save Money on Your Move

Moving is one of those expensive necessities in life. Given the sluggish economy, many people will be looking to spend as little as possible on their move this summer. If you can afford the convenience, hiring a full-service moving company is the best way to go. Otherwise you are probably looking at renting a moving truck and hiring an extra hand or two. Cheaper options include borrowing a friend's pickup truck or van and doing the heavy lifting yourself, which will probably require multiple trips. One affordable option that has become more available in recent years is to use a mobile storage company to handle your move. Using a flatbed truck, the storage company will deliver a container to you, which you (or hired packers) fill at your own convenience. Most containers will hold about one and one-half rooms' worth of stuff, so you may need multiple containers. When your containers are packed, the company will deliver them to your new home, handling the transportation from door-to-door. Most companies will offer this service for about half of the price of a full-service moving company, depending on how far your stuff is going.

Use Mobile Storage to Sell Your House Faster

Selling your house? Almost every home sells better with less furniture, and staged homes sell twice as fast as those that are not staged. Cramped homes make buyers feel uncomfortable and nervous. One quick and easy way to clear out clutter while your home is on the market is to rent a mobile storage unit. The unit is delivered to you, you load it at your own pace, and when it's full, you can either leave it onsite or your storage provider can bring it to their warehouse. Once your house sells, you can have the unit delivered to your new home. Here are some tips for decluttering a home on the market:

• Depersonalize: remove any items (photographs, mementos, books) that tie you to the space.


• Remove pieces of furniture that are bulky, shabby, or block pathways.


• Remove excess shelving and storage cases—these kinds of items signal that the house does not have enough drawer or closet space.


• Likewise, make sure closets and drawers appear neat and organized, not stuffed and messy.


• Remove extra leaves from your dining room table, or choose a smaller dining room table, to make the room appear larger.


• Leave just enough furniture to define the room's purpose.


• Make sure curtains are open and windows are clean—bright sunshine and fresh air can make a big impact.

On Lockdown: The Best Lock for Your Unit

A reputable self storage facility will have 24-hour security, lighting, and video monitoring to deter theives. But when you choose mobile storage, the level of security is up to you. What security measures do you have for your mobile storage unit? For starters, you should have a good lock on your container. Stainless steel disc-shaped locks offer a higher level of security than your typical square or combination padlock, and are bolt-cutter resistant. Disc locks would require power tools and expert lock-picking skills to disable. Most versions retail for under $25 and feature a hardened steel shackle, a double-bolted locking mechanism, and anti-pick pins.

Buzz Off: Protect Winter Wool From Little Buggers

Have you ever pulled a wool sweater out of storage, only to find it riddled with little holes? If so, your wool was lunch for the larvae of either the clothes moth or carpet beetle. Disturbing, right? Wool, fur, silk, feathers, and leather are all susceptible to pest damage, as well as fabric with heavy food or oil stains. Items commonly infested include wool sweaters, coats, clothing, blankets, carpets, decorative items, down pillows and comforters, natural bristle brushes, and taxidermied animals. Other insects such as silverfish, crickets, beetles, and roaches will also eat fabrics. Most likely they will be attracted to fabrics with food stains, perspiration, or starched fabrics.

So how do you prevent your clothes and fabrics from pest damage? Here are some tips:

• First, make sure items are cleaned before storing. Who wants to unpack a dirty sweater, anyway?
• Store clothing and fabrics in airtight containers such as plastic bins, hanging garment bags, or cedar chests. Leather, fur, or wool should not be stored in plastic bags. Wrap rolled-up carpets with plastic sheeting.
• Make sure your storage area is a cool, dark, well-ventilated place.
• Mothballs can be used inside the container, but these days they are not as popular because of the smell. If you use them, do not let them contact your clothing directly--they could cause a color change. Remember, mothballs are not safe for children. Instead of mothballs, you may want to use cedar chips as a repellant.
• If you do find pest damage on an item, you should wash or dryclean every item that was stored in that container. You will also need to wash the inside of the container, being sure to get every crack and corner.

Leader of the Pack

One of the benefits of mobile storage is that you get to pack your container at your own pace, so you can still keep up with the millions of other things you have to do. Since you are typically the one doing the packing, you will know where everything is inside your storage container. Keep in mind, depending on the quality of your storage unit, you may need to take additional steps to secure your belongings. Most modern units have a strap system so your valuables don't shift during transit, but here are some tips for packing your container:

• Make sure your container is weather-proof, otherwise you may want to seal it with a tarp or plastic sheet.
• Cover mattresses, boxsprings, and upholstered furniture with protective plastic sheets or blankets.
• Try to distribute the weight evenly in your container. Heavier items on the bottom; lighter items on top.
• Protect sharp corners with blankets, bubble wrap, or padded paper.
• Pack heavy items (such as books) in smaller boxes, and lighter items (such as bedding) in bigger boxes.
• Do not lay mirrors and pictures flat, always prop them up vertically.
• Do not put perishables, flammables, or hazardous materials in your unit.
• Pack items as densely as possible to prevent shifting during transit.
• Be sure to keep an inventory of everything you pack inside your unit.

Curb It: Do You Need a Permit?

Before you have your moving/storage company drop off your mobile storage container in front of your house, find out if you will need a special permit to keep it parked there. The last thing you need on moving day is hassle from the meter maid resulting in a parking ticket. Generally, a parking permit can be obtained at your city hall.

If you plan on keeping your mobile storage unit onsite for more than 30 days, you may also need approval from your local building inspector.

If you think your unit may require a permit, make sure you give yourself enough time to complete the necessary steps before your move gets underway.