Running a small business often comes with a unique set of challenges, especially when it comes to managing space. Whether you’re dealing with excess inventory, bulky equipment, or important files, finding a place to store everything can feel like an overwhelming task. Renting a self-storage unit might just be the perfect solution to help your business stay organized, efficient, and ready for growth.
In this blog, we’ll explore the various benefits of self-storage for small business owners and how it can make managing your business a whole lot easier.
1. Maximize Your Office or Store Space
One of the main challenges for small business owners is having limited space. Offices and retail stores can quickly become cluttered with inventory, marketing materials, and documents. This not only creates a disorganized environment but can also make it difficult to focus and operate efficiently.
With a self-storage unit, you can store items that you don’t need every day. Imagine freeing up valuable office space by storing seasonal inventory, extra office furniture, or archived paperwork off-site. This allows you to make the most of your working environment and create a more professional, productive space for your team.
Pro Tip:
Label your storage boxes clearly and keep an inventory list. This way, you can quickly locate items whenever needed.
2. Cost-Effective Storage for Inventory
As your business grows, so does your inventory. However, leasing larger commercial space to accommodate this growth can be costly. Fortunately, self-storage units provide an affordable alternative. You can rent a unit that suits your needs without committing to long-term leases or paying for space you don’t use.
Whether you run a retail store, an eCommerce business, or a home-based company, a storage unit is a cost-efficient way to store products, supplies, and promotional materials. You can scale the size of your unit up or down depending on your business needs, keeping costs manageable.
3. Secure Storage for Sensitive Items
Security is crucial for small business owners, especially when it comes to expensive equipment, inventory, or confidential documents. Many self-storage facilities offer 24/7 surveillance, access control, and individual unit alarms to ensure that your belongings are kept safe.
Additionally, if you handle sensitive items like electronics, artwork, or files that need to be kept in a stable environment, consider choosing a climate-controlled unit. These units maintain a consistent temperature and humidity level, protecting your items from extreme weather conditions.
Pro Tip:
When storing valuable equipment or inventory, invest in insurance coverage to add an extra layer of protection.
4. Flexibility for Growing Businesses
Self-storage provides flexibility for small businesses in a way that traditional office or warehouse spaces can’t. If your business is seasonal, a storage unit allows you to store equipment or extra stock during busy times of the year and then downsize when you no longer need the extra space.
Unlike long-term office or warehouse leases, you can rent a storage unit on a month-to-month basis, which means you only pay for the space when you need it. This flexibility makes it easy to adapt to changes in your business, whether you’re launching a new product line, expanding, or temporarily scaling down.
5. Organized Inventory Management
Storing your inventory in a self-storage unit can improve your ability to keep track of stock levels and manage orders more effectively. By keeping your items organized in a dedicated storage space, you avoid the clutter and confusion that can come from storing items in your office or home.
Consider setting up shelving units or racks in your storage space to neatly organize your inventory, making it easier to access when you need to restock. An organized system will save you time and reduce the risk of misplaced or damaged goods.
6. Document and File Storage
Many businesses generate a lot of paperwork, from tax documents and contracts to client files and financial records. As time goes on, this paperwork can start to pile up, taking up precious space in your office. However, most of these documents can’t be thrown away, as they may be needed for future reference or compliance purposes.
A storage unit is a safe and secure place to keep these records without taking up space in your office. You can organize your files in labeled boxes or filing cabinets and store them away until needed. This frees up office space while still ensuring that important documents are easily accessible.
7. Peace of Mind During Business Transitions
If your business is undergoing a transition, such as relocating, expanding, or downsizing, a self-storage unit can provide temporary relief. Moving your inventory or equipment to storage can help keep your operations running smoothly while you make adjustments.
For example, during an office renovation, a storage unit gives you a secure place to keep furniture and equipment without interrupting your day-to-day operations. It can also serve as a temporary solution if you’re waiting for new office or warehouse space to be ready.
Conclusion: A Smart Move for Small Business Owners
For small business owners, renting a self-storage unit is an affordable, flexible, and secure solution to many common challenges. Whether you need more space for inventory, want to declutter your office, or require a temporary place to store your belongings during a transition, a storage unit can help you run your business more efficiently.
Self-storage offers you the freedom to scale your storage needs up or down as your business grows, all while keeping costs under control. Explore the options available at your local self-storage facility and discover how it can help your small business thrive.
Books are not just items on a shelf; they are treasured possessions that tell stories, capture memories, and sometimes even define our identities. Whether you’re moving house, decluttering, or simply need to store a collection for the long term, it’s essential to take steps to ensure your books remain in pristine condition.
Here’s a comprehensive guide for homeowners on how to pack and store books safely in boxes for long-term storage.
Step 1: Clean Your Books
Before packing, make sure your books are clean. Dust each book gently with a soft cloth to remove any dirt or debris. This helps prevent any potential damage during storage.
Step 2: Choose the Right Boxes
Opt for sturdy, acid-free boxes to prevent damage to your books. Avoid using boxes that have previously stored food or other perishable items, as these can attract pests.
Step 3: Pack Books Correctly
Stand Upright
Place books upright in the box, as if they were on a bookshelf. This position helps maintain the structural integrity of the book and prevents warping.
Use Padding
Fill any empty spaces with acid-free packing paper or bubble wrap to ensure the books don’t shift during transport. This padding will help absorb any shock and protect the books from damage.
Avoid Overpacking
Ensure that the box isn’t overpacked. This can make the boxes too heavy to lift safely and increase the risk of the books getting crushed.
Step 4: Label and Seal the Boxes
Clearly label each box with its contents and the date you packed it. This makes it easier to find specific books later on. Use high-quality packing tape to seal the boxes securely.
Place the boxes on shelves or pallets off the ground, particularly if you’re storing them in a basement or garage. This helps protect them from potential water damage.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Keep the boxes away from direct sunlight as UV rays can fade and deteriorate book covers and pages over time.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can ensure your beloved books are well-protected during their time in storage. Remember, the key is to prevent exposure to elements that could cause damage, such as dirt, moisture, and extreme temperatures.
For more expert tips on safeguarding your home items, stay tuned to our blog or contact us directly. Happy reading!
Some people have so much clutter and so much stuff all over the place, they think all it’s going to require is some elegant storage system they have in the home improvement shop and everything will be alright. This is generally what de-clutter your home means, right? (more…)
Preparing household items for storage involves several important steps to ensure they remain in good condition while in storage.
Here are some general steps you can follow to prepare household items for storage:
Sort through your items
Start by sorting through your items and deciding which ones you want to keep and which ones you can discard or donate. This will make it easier to organize your items for storage.
Clean your items
Before packing your items, make sure they are clean and dry. This will help prevent mould, mildew, and other damage while in storage. Clean items such as clothing, linens, and fabrics should be laundered or dry-cleaned before storage.
Disassemble large items
Large items such as furniture and appliances should be disassembled before storage. This will make it easier to pack and transport these items.
Use appropriate packing materials
Use appropriate packing materials such as bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and packing tape to protect your items from damage during transportation and storage. Use boxes that are sturdy and of the appropriate size for your items.
Label your boxes
Label your boxes with a description of the contents and the room they belong in. This will make it easier to find items later and when unpacking them in the correct room.
Store items in a dry, cool place
Store your items in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Consider using climate-controlled storage if necessary.
Check on your items regularly
Check on them regularly to ensure they are in good condition and to address any issues that may arise, such as pest infestations or water damage.
When hiring a storage unit, there are several factors to consider to ensure that you choose a unit that meets your needs and offers a secure and convenient storage solution. Here are some things to look for:
Size: The size of the storage unit you choose should be based on how much you need to store. It’s important to choose a unit that is large enough to hold your items comfortably without being too big, which can result in wasted space. You can use our storage calculator to help with this.
Location: The location of the storage unit should be convenient for you to access whenever you need to. Consider factors such as proximity to your home or workplace, ease of access, and security in the area.
Security: Look for a storage facility that has good security measures in place, such as surveillance cameras, secure gates, and on-site security personnel. This will give you peace of mind that your belongings are safe and secure.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your household items remain in good condition while in storage and are ready for use when you need them again.
Looking into Car Storage? Here at EeziSpace we are asked to store vehicles, from time to time. From long overseas trips to sentimental collectibles, whatever the reason is, it is a great idea to prep your car before it goes into storage.
Preparing your vehicle for storage is certainly not complicated. It does require some attention to detail and a faithfulness to common practices. First, you should decide where the vehicle will be stored, indoors or outdoors. Indoors is the preferred method and will go a long way in safeguarding the vehicle, though outdoor storage can work well too.
The trick to proper storage is prep work. We’ll discuss cleaning, battery storage, engine bay prep, rust prevention, keeping the critters out, tires, car covers, and vehicle wake-up.
Cleaning
First you should wash and polish the car thoroughly. Ensure you remove all dirt from the chassis and wheel wells because dirt can hold humidity. Thoroughly clean your inside and boot. Use a powerful vacuum with attachments to remove food, long lost sweeties, and dirt from all the nooks and crannies. Allow the vehicle to air-dry thoroughly.
Battery Storage
You need to disconnect your battery cables starting with the ground cable (usually the black one). Thoroughly clean the battery, both on the top and sides. Place the battery on a block of wood or on top of a thick piece of polystyrene. Connect a batter-keeper or float charger to the battery to maintain its charge during storage. Place it where it will be out of the way. Don’t create a trip hazard.
Engine Bay Prep
Remove each spark plug and spray some oil into each cylinder. You can use regular oil with a spray-type squirt can. Turn the crankshaft pulley using a wrench or ratchet-socket combination a few times to circulate the oil that was sprayed into each cylinder. This process will keep moisture out of the cylinders. Reinstall your spark plugs and reconnect the spark plug wires.
Since brake fluid absorbs moisture, replace your brake fluid if it is more than 2 years old. If you don’t, it could wear away the insides of your brake lines. Also, check the condition of your engine coolant. You can check it with a hydrometer. If the freeze point is not correct, change the coolant.
Rust Protection
Some of the key things that you can do to extend the life of your vehicle’s body is rust prevention. Rust has been referred to as automotive cancer. It will gnaw at your investment. You need to keep moisture away. To keep moisture away from your chassis, you should create a moisture or vapor barrier. A moisture barrier is recommended whether you’re storing the vehicle indoors or outdoors.
If storing indoors place heavy duty plastic sheeting on top of the cement. Place strips of plywood measuring 1 1/2 ft wide on top of the plastic and drive the vehicle up on them length-wise as if you were making a driving path. If storing outdoors, use full sheets of plywood placed on top of heavy duty plastic sheeting.
Also, lubricate your bonnet latch, boot latch, and all door hinges to keep moisture away.
We don’t let critters take a holiday in your stuff
Keeping the Critters Out
It is important to ward off the efforts of rodents and other pests that may up residence inside your ride. They love to create nests inside “cozy” areas. They also love to chew on spark plug wires as well as other wires. Not that you need to worry when you store with us, but hey… maybe you choose to store your vehicle elsewhere.
Place mothballs underneath the vehicle. Put more mothballs inside the passenger cabin by placing them on sheets of aluminum foil. Stuff heavy rags inside your tailpipe, engine air intake, and fresh air intake located at the bottom of the windshield. You may need to use aluminum foil if you have rodents in your area that would love to use your rags as nesting material.
Tyres
If the vehicle will be stored for more than six months, you need address tire flat-spots. Just place the vehicle on jack stands that are in the lowest position. Just enough to raise the tyres off the floor. If storing outdoors, use plywood squares under the jack stands to prevent sinking.
Car Covers
When it comes to covers, you have lots of choices. Spend as much as you can afford because you’ll find that the higher the price, the better the protection and quality of the fit. Use a cover that is designed to fit your vehicle snuggly. This will help keep the elements out. If you live in a particularly sunny area, make sure your cover provides UV protection.
Vehicle Wake-Up
How NOT to store your car – eeck!
After a long storage you need to do a few things to get your ride ready to drive again. Remove the cover and remove the rags that were stuffed into various places. Remove all the mothballs from underneath the vehicle and inside the passenger cabin. Refit and re-install your battery. Sand off most of the rust that has accumulated on your brake rotors with some 100-120 grit sand paper using a rubber sanding block. Change your engine oil and filter. That’s it!
Properly preparing your vehicle for winter storage or just long-term storage will help preserve your investment and ensure many years of driving enjoyment. It will also allow you to get back behind the wheel sooner after a bit of winter cabin fever!
You own a piano or organ you love, but life happens and you find that you need to put it in storage for a while. How should you go about doing it? Storing pianos kindly, is the only way to do it.
Battery Storage
