Sealing the Refrigerator

When it comes to preventing mold growth in your RV, you need to pay close attention to your refrigerator. It doesn’t take much moisture for you to develop a full-blown mold invasion inside the food compartment. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to keep mold out of the refrigerator this winter.

First, remove all the food. Second, wash the refrigerator and freezer compartments with a mild detergent solution using 1 gallon of warm water, ¼ cup of vinegar, and 2 tablespoons each of dish detergent and lemon juice. Third, use a soft cloth to dry the refrigerator and freezer compartments thoroughly and then allow them to air dry for several hours. Finally, leave the doors to both compartments open while the RV is in storage.

Using Total-Darkness Curtains

If you have total-darkness curtains in your RV, don’t use them during the winter. While it might seem that the total darkness would prevent sun damage, it will also promote mold growth. You can prevent sun damage and mold growth at the same time by using your translucent daytime shades throughout the winter. The shades will allow a small amount of sunlight to enter during the day, which will prevent moisture build-up, while blocking the harmful heat that can damage your upholstery.

Closing Off the Ventilation

If you’ve got rooftop vents on your RV, you need to leave them open during the winter. The ventilation provided by the vents will prevent moisture build-up, which can lead to mold growth. Rooftop vents are designed to keep rain and snow out, which means you can provide your RV with the ventilation it needs without worrying about water seeping in through the open vents.

Now that the cold weather is settling in, it’s time to put your RV away for the winter. While you’re preparing your RV for storage, don’t forget to protect it against mold growth. Use the tips described above to protect your RV against mold growth while it’s in storage this winter. For more information, talk to a professional like United Moving and Storage.

Practice The One-In, One-Out Rule

Whenever you are ready to add more items to your self-storage space, be prepared to part with a few items. This practice will keep the amount of things you have stored manageable. A good rule of thumb is to remove one item for every new item you put in. Look through your storage space and see if there are clothes, furniture or other items you can sell or donate. Once you remove these items, you’ll have more than enough room to bring new stuff into the space.

Create An Organization System

Don’t simply add your items to a big pile in the storage unit. Come up with an organizational plan ahead of time so all your items remain neat, tidy and easy to find. Place smaller items or clothing in plastic bins with lids. For large items, such as bicycles or Christmas decorations, hang strong cables or wires from the ceiling and attach S-hooks to attach the items to the cables. Consider investing in free-standing shelving units to organize boxes and other items in the unit.

Store Seasonal Items In The Front

If you keep your clothing for each season stored in the unit, keep these items toward the front of your storage space. You’ll spend less time looking for the boxes, and you’ll be able to switch the items out quickly. You can also do this with seasonal decorations. This makes it easy to find the accessories for each holiday without spending hours digging through piles of bins and boxes.

Label Everything

The easiest way to keep your storage unit organized and decluttered is to keep everything labeled. When you can clearly identify the items in each box, you won’t need to rummage through everything to find what you are looking for. You can use a label maker or a marker and masking tape to mark each bin and box, or you can take and print photographs of the items in each box and tape them to the outside. Be sure to bring your labeling supplies each time you bring items into the unit so you can re-label boxes as you move them around and mark any new items you are storing.

These ideas are easy to implement and help to create a neat, organized space to keep your most precious items. Follow any or all of them to create an organizational system that works for you.

1. Insure Your Items

If you have been collecting for years, you might not realize the value of your collection. If you are planning a move already, this might be the perfect time to insure your items. You can begin to pack these up and have items appraised if needed. If you cannot move your collection on your own, with items such as art pieces or book collections, you can have peace of mind that these are insured in case anything happens during the moving process.

2. Pack Away Smaller Items Yourself

While you might be packing up an entire household and have to bring in movers or professional packers to help, it can be worth it to pack up smaller, valuable items yourself to ensure their safety. If the bulk of your collection can go with movers, this is great, but there might be one or two choice pieces that you would be devastated to lose. Move these yourself or keep them somewhere safe so they aren’t damaged or misplaced.

3. Keep Collections Out of Household Items

If you have an entire room or area of your home that is designated for your collection, it is a good idea to pack this separately if you can. Sometimes household items can be jumbled together and it might be hard to sort through boxes on the other end of a move. Making sure that your entire collection is intact when unpacking can be achieved by using different colored boxes or tags and marking these as ‘fragile’ for movers.

4. Consider Storage Options While Settling In

If you are moving your entire family into another home or might be downsizing, it might be too much to sort through your collector’s items in your new home right away. Consider packing these items up and housing them in storage until you can get through the bulk of your household move. You can them bring in your hobby items when you are ready for them.

Having a hobby such as collecting can be rewarding, but it can take up space and need unique care if relocating. Put a little thought into the process ahead of time to help you move collector’s items safely when moving to a new home.

For more help, contact a business like Two Guys Moving.

Keep Away from Strong Smells

Wines with corks should be kept as far away as possible from anything with a strong smell. Although the cork is designed to keep the wine fresh, it still ‘breathes’ and can absorb strong odors. Unfortunately, the smell can get passed onto the wine and ruin the flavor.

Be mindful of the things you put into the storage unit if you plan on using it to hold other items besides the wine. Avoid storing items like paint, paint thinner, scented candles, garden chemicals, or other similar things. If you have strong-smelling items that must go in the unit, place them in container to keep the scent from filling the room. To combat odors from outside the storage unit that may seep into the space, purchase an odor neutralizing product that will help keep your storage room smelling clean.

Avoid Constant Vibrations

You’ll also want to avoid putting your wine anywhere near a constant source of vibration. There are a couple of reasons for this. Some wines contain sediment. The constant shaking may prevent the sediment from settling, which could give the wine a gritty taste when you’re ready to drink it.

Another issue is constant vibration could change the chemical composition of the wine. Research conducted by Maria Lorraine Binchet found low levels of continuous vibration can change the flavor and aroma of wine in as little as 18 months. Therefore, you want to avoid storage facilities located near train stations, subways, construction sites, or other areas where local activity may subject your wine to constant shaking.

There are many elements to correctly and safely storing wine for prolonged periods of time in a storage facility. Do as much research as you can about the issue and implement the provided tips to ensure your wines age gracefully and remain drinkable for years to come. For more information about wine storage or to sign up for a unit, contact a local storage facility like Lake County Storage of Round Lake Heights. 

1. Choose Boxes Wisely

Begin with a sturdy and unbending box to ensure it won’t break during the packing/storing process. It is essential to place bubble wrap or a similar product on the bottom of the box for added protection before you begin.

Cell boxes are one of the most efficient ways to package your wine glasses and bottles. Each unit will have a cozy cardboard section and you can add cushioning products to keep them from touching each other. Cushioning products can be as simple as clothing, pillows, stuffed animals, or tissue paper.

2. Think Styrofoam

Styrofoam peanuts can be used for filler and come in three colors. The white and pink ones are made from 70% non-recycled materials and cannot break-down environmentally. Choose the green which is eco-friendly and will break-down. Green is an indication they are made from 70% recycled materials, meaning you can add them to the compost. If you use white or pink, UPS or similar shipping companies might take them back, so you can save Mother Earth.

3. Do Not Use Newspapers

Avoid using newspapers because the ink can smear onto the surface of items. But, it is good to use tissue paper for the job. As a guideline, always use tissue paper next to the glass for the softest, most secure packing.

4. Use Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap can be purchased in rolls, sheets, or bags and is an excellent product to place on the outside of the tissue paper. It is possible you could leave an impression on the glass from the bubble wrap. You don’t need extra circles on your wine glasses, do you? After you have them wrapped, place a piece of packaging tape around each package, so it doesn’t come unwrapped.

5. Pad Every Area

As a substitute packaging device, a Styrofoam plate would help around the bottles. Any extra space should contain padding. You can use newspapers, stuffed animals, blankets, or any clothing that would be moved to the new home such as socks. There shouldn’t be any open spaces left in the box for the glasses to move and break.

6. Label The Box

Write fragile on every side of the box to ensure it doesn’t get confused with a box filled with things that aren’t breakable. A closed box could be easily confused with other items.

Your glass products and wine bottles should be protected whether you are moving them or storing. By following these guidelines, you can save your items without worrying whether they will make the journey safely.

For more information, contact professionals like Gardner Moving

What Damages Electronics?

There are two main things that can damage electronics, and these are cold weather and moisture. When electronics get too cold or come in contact with moisture, the following things can happen:

• LCD screens can freeze. An LCD screen contains liquid. If this liquid freezes, it can damage the device to a point where is will no longer work.
• Condensation from moisture can cause hard drives to short circuit, and fixing this issue is not easy.
• Cold weather can cause batteries in electronics to no longer charge or hold a charge.

These are some of the main issues you may experience if you place electronics in a place that gets cold. To prevent these issues from happening, you may want to select a temperature-controlled unit.

What Should You Do Before Placing Electronics In A Storage Unit?

If your only option is to rent a normal unit that is not temperature-controlled, you may want to be selective with what you place in the unit and take a few extra steps to protect your goods. Here are some tips to help you with this:

• Do not put electronics in the unit that have LCD screens.
• Remove batteries from all electronics before storing them, and keep the batteries with you.
• Back up all drives onto disks or other backup systems before placing the items in a storage unit, and keep the backup copies with you.
• Cover each item with a towel or blanket to prevent moisture from getting inside the actual devices, and you can also use bubble wrap to protect the items from getting damaged.
• Place the items in boxes on a pallet or something else that props them off the ground to help stop moisture from getting inside your electronic items.

Choosing a temperature-controlled storage unit might cost a little more than a standard unit, but it will also offer more protection for your goods. If you would like to learn more about storing electronics in a storage unit, contact a facility that rents storage units, such as AAA Flying Trolley Self Storage.   

International Movers Help To Streamline The Transit Process

Getting your valuables to another location can be a very tenuous prospect. You may have to use a number of different mediums to get your goods to your new home, and if you’re not familiar with the international transit process, it can be overwhelming.

That’s why it’s such a good idea to work with an international moving company. They have the experience necessary to streamline the process, seamlessly blending transit by air, train or sea to make sure that your packages get to the new location on time.  If for some reason your things are lost during the transit process, they will use their extensive investigations teams to locate your packages.  Some of these companies even offer valuable insurance coverage that can help you get compensated should your packages be lost before they reach the final destination.

International Movers Help You Understand The Customs Process

Another reason why international movers are so helpful is because they assist you with the customs process. Some countries have extensive customs procedures that must be taken care of before your goods can be accepted into the country. If you don’t prepare for this, you may find that you’re forced to wait for extensive periods of time before you’re able to get your packages.

Your international moving company will do the legwork for you. They will find out which forms of paperwork you need to submit in order to get clearance for your items. In addition, they’ll file the paperwork and stay on track with it to make sure that there are no unnecessary delays.

Working with an international relocation company could prove to be the very thing that makes your move a more pleasant process.  Contact one of the these companies, like Hollander Storage & Moving, right away so you can enjoy these benefits and many more.

Bring In Your Own Shelves

Self storage units are bare bones in regards to having any shelving. You have to bring in your own shelving units in if you want to use them and you might want to do just that. With the shelving units, you can make use of vertical space. It is best to refrain from using any wooden or plastic shelving units. The wood and plastic can warp in the heat and humidity that may be high within the self storage unit. Wood shelving units can also develop mold if any water enters the storage unit, which is not healthy to inhale and you don’t want any of that spreading to your personal belongings. You can use strong metal shelving units instead. Of course, no matter how sturdy the shelving unit is, you will not be able to attach it to the walls for safety. Therefore, avoid placing heavy items on the top shelves in order to prevent the unit from falling forward. Keep lighter items on the top shelves, such as blankets, stuffed animals, or clothing.

Use Hidden Space For Small Fragile Items

Instead of worrying about whether you have protected your small fragile valuables in boxes, you might want to place them inside of furniture and appliances that can offer a lot of protection. For example, anything you place inside of a microwave that you are storing will be safe from anything in the unit that might fall over onto it. Other things that you can use for additional storage include, ovens, refrigerators, chests, dressers, end tables, desks, and filing cabinets.

Organize By Sections

Depending on the things that you are storing in your self storage unit, consider organizing your unit in sections. For example, keep all kitchen items and bathroom items along one wall, all personal items that belong in bedrooms against another wall, and so on. This will make it a lot easier for you should you need to retrieve a particular item before it is time to remove everything from the unit.

With just those few simple tips in mind, you should find that organizing your self storage unit is a lot easier than you might have thought.

Choose a storage facility with cameras.

Before you agree to rent a storage unit from a certain facility, make sure that facility has cameras. Cameras will deter thieves, and in the case that your items are stolen, there should be footage that will allow police to identify the culprits. In addition to asking if there are cameras, you should verify where the cameras are located. Make sure there’s a camera that captures what’s going on in front of the specific unit you’ll be renting.

Choose a storage facility with an office on site.

Some storage facilities have off-site offices, while others have offices on-site with the storage units. Make sure you choose a facility with offices and employees on site, as this serves as a deterrent for would-be thieves. If someone does attempt to steal something, chances are an employee will be around to see or say something.

Use your own lock.

Some storage facilities may provide locks for their customers. But you never know whether a previous customer still has the key or combination for that lock. So, use your own lock the increased security. Make sure you choose a heavy-duty lock rather than the gym locker-type locks that are easy to cut through with a bolt cutter. A combination lock is a better choice than a keyed lock since someone with the know-how can pick a keyed lock or have a copy key made. Just make sure you write the combination down somewhere super-secret.

Don’t pack or unpack your unit while there are a lot of people around.

Those who steal from storage units often find out what valuables are in certain units simply by watching people pack and unpack. Make sure you pack and unpack your unit when there are not a lot of people around watching. If someone looks suspicious and seems to be paying too much attention to you, talk to an employee at the storage facility. They can check to verify that the person is someone who has business being at the storage facility, and if they, in fact, are up to no good, they can ask them to leave.

Contact a local provider, such as Sweetwater Springs Self Storage, for further assistance.    

1. Contact a Long-Distance Mover for Cars and Other Large Vehicles

There are likely going to be some large items that you want to have moved to your new home, including your car as well as recreational vehicles. Contact a long-distance mover and talk with them about moving these items separately from other property that you are taking with you. A truck that is large enough can be used to transport your car, as well as recreational vehicles, to your new home. If you have things like boats or four-wheelers, you may want to have them moved on a separate truck if there are several vehicles to move. Talk with the moving service about the different truck options and the costs of these services.

2. Break Down Small Motorized Garden Equipment to Prepare It for Moving

You may also have small motorized gear that you need to take with you to your new home. This can include things like gasoline lawn equipment, such as a tiller, weed eater, or riding lawn mower. Since these materials often smell of gas and can leak oil, you may not want them transported with a fine dining room set. Break these things down to small parts and organize them in boxes to pack away on a smaller truck. Smaller riding lawnmowers can usually be packed on the back of a box van. If you have larger tractor-type equipment, talk with the moving service about weight limits and the size of truck that needs to be used to transport these materials. The moving vehicles involved may need to have double axles for a small tractor and attachments as well as additional equipment.

3. Prep Any Dismantled Mechanical Parts to Keep Them Safe for the Journey

Prepping the engines and any parts you remove from motorized machines is important. You may be tempted to remove oil and gas from something for the journey. This can expose the engine or lubricated parts to potential oxidation. To prepare these parts, get some old rags (maybe old clothes you are throwing out during the move) and soak them in a mixture of used motor oil, which you can remove from equipment. Take the rags and pack them around and inside parts and inside areas like engines that may be open. This will help keep the metal lubricated and prevent problems with oxidation.

Being prepared to send your car and motorized property to your new home can ensure that everything makes it safely to its new home without incident. If you need help moving these items, contact a long-distance moving service such as Affordable Transfer Co Inc. A long-distance moving service will have answers for some of the questions you have about moving motorized property, including cars and lawn equipment.