The Top Three Reasons to Self-Store

Modern houses today just seem to be getting smaller with not enough efficient storage space, One of the most common storage problems seem to be storing clothes away neatly, wardrobes and cupboards are jam-packed, so finding a solution to this problem is essential for most to free up some space.

Self-Storage is a popular choice for many and it’s easy to see why so many people opt for this option not only does it free up a lot of space within your home it’s the most cost effective way to create that extra space,

so if you've had enough of battling to find space in your wardrobes and you have made the decision to use self-storage then our tips and tricks for storing your clothes will help you store your clothes long term without damaging them.

Have a Clear Out

Having a good sort through your clothes before deciding what you are keeping at home and packing away is always the best way to start, while deciding what's to be stored and what's not you could also get rid of any items you no longer use or need, we're all a little guilty of holding on to items of clothing we longer wear, we convince ourselves that we will wear it again one day but the truth is we won’t so the best thing to do is just let go! take them to a charity shop or sell any valuable items online, there are plenty of online selling sites you can use.

Pick the Right Storage

How you store your clothes is important when storing them long term, you want to avoid any damage, have them well organised and easily accessible. Using cardboard boxes is a no go they are easily damaged and are easy for bugs and insects to access, I would recommend using plastic storage tubs, they are secure enough to stop any unwanted guests, less likely to be damaged and easy to organise to have your clothes ready for when you need them.

Wash, Dry, iron and fold away

Before storing away your clothes make sure they are all freshly washed this will keep them smelling great and also gives you the chance to get any stains out before they are stored away, after washing get them dry and check each item of clothing is fully dried before packing them away if you pack anything that is slightly damp it could lead to mould growing on your clothes, after checking everything is dry give everything a good iron following these steps will make sure your clothes are stored away in the best condition and ready to wear when you need them.

Preparing for a new baby is an exciting time whether your a first time parent or not, buying all the adorable little outfits, nursery furniture, toys and baby essentials, you certainly can get carried away with all the excitement, but while your Preparing and buying everything you will need you may also be wondering where you are going to put everything and wondering if you have enough space, especially if you are already tight on space,

Self-storage can be an immense help and a terrific way to create the extra room needed for your baby and all the things they need,

Below we have listed some of the top benefits for using Self-storage and how they might be useful for you when preparing for a Baby.

 

·       Declutter your home and create space

Sort and organise through each room, remove any belongings or furniture you do not really need or use in the home to create extra space throughout your home for your

 new addition.

 

 

·       Baby proof your home

You don’t need to worry too much during the new born stage about preventing your little one from any hazards around the home but it’s not long before they are mobile and getting up to all sorts of mischief, having a Self-storage space can be a great help when trying to baby proof your home, it gives you the extra space to remove any excess furniture out the way to give your little one more room to move about Safely, you can store away anything hazardous you wouldn’t want them to get there hands on.

 

·       Store away excess baby essentials

Many expectant parents like to be extra prepared and bulk buy items such as nappies, wipes and other baby essentials but the only problem is they can start to take up a lot of space, Self-storage is a great option to have to Safely store these items and save on extra space in your home.

 

·       Store away anything valuable

Once your baby becomes mobile its a game changer, they get into anything and everything and just love to touch everything they should not! Storing away anything valuable in a self-storage unit will help protect and keep them safe away from tiny hands.

 

After you have finished baby proofing your home using self-storage, we also recommend buying a good quality baby proofing house kit and baby gates to make sure all areas of your home are safe and secure, giving you the reassurance needed for when your little one is ready to start exploring.

Different Ways you can use Shipping Containers

 

Shipping containers are originally used for shipping goods safely across the world but what you might not realis is how extremely versatile they are, it is amazing what you can create using them.

So, we thought it would be a good idea to show you some of the cool things you can create, so look at our top 5 amazing ways shipping containers can be used.

 

1.     Creating a Home

 

There are several benefits to using shipping containers to build homes and if you have not thought about using them before to create your dream home after reading about the benefits you might just change your mind. The first benefit is cost, buying second hand shipping containers is far more affordable than most houses on the market today and also a lot easier to choose, you could be spending so much time trying to find the right house at the right price and just have no luck finding what you want but with a shipping container you cant really go wrong and you can convert it into the ideal home for you, they are also easily constructed and on average only take a couple of months to build so you will be saving yourself quite a lot of money and time in the process. Another great benefit is that they are very environmentally friendly because if they are well maintained can last well over a decade making them a good option to buy second had and re use them for what you desire, choosing to build with shipping containers also reduces the use of cement and concrete which are very harmful to the planet. So, as you can see just from the couple of examples given choosing to build your home from shipping containers seems like a surprisingly good

idea.

 

2.     Great for business

 

Shipping containers are great for business because they are more cost effective, they can save you a lot of money in the beginning and in the future on rental fees and deposits. Using a shipping container for your business can also give you the freedom to be more creative with your space they can be transformed into cool quirky pop-up shops, bars and cafes and can even be turned into the ideal office space, another great benefit is that shipping containers can be easily transported giving you the option of changing location to reach more customers.

 

3.     Ideal for storage

 

Many self-storage facilities use shipping containers for storage, they are easy to access but also very secure, they are ideal for storing items safely and protecting them from any damage not only that they offer plenty of space to store for example a 20ft shipping container can store the contents of a three-bedroom home, so they give you ample space to store your belongings at an affordable price.

 

4.     Indoor greenhouse

Shipping Containers are growing in popularity for been used for the indoor growing of plants, vegetables, and fruit, they are easily set up using hydroponic systems, they offer plenty of space giving the option to have shelves fitted so you do not need to worry about needing tons of space to grow your produce.

 

 

5.     Swimming pools

 

You would not have thought it, but you can convert a shipping container into a swimming pool, and it does not cost a fortune to set up like it would having one dug out and built into your garden, they are easily constructed and transported to where you want giving you the pool you have always dreamed about having.

 

So, as you can see shipping containers can be used in many ways, it is incredible what you can create with them and I am sure with a little more digging you will come across even more ways to transform them into something amazing.

 

With winter just around the corner its time to start clearing away all your garden essentials, making sure they are kept in good condition for the following summer.

Many people may struggle with garden space and have insufficient space to store their belongings safely away until the warmer weather approaches, this leads people to leaving their belongings out in poor weather conditions risking deterioration and damage.

Having the correct storage for your garden essentials could help save you on garden space, weather damage to your belongings and save you money on repairs and replacements in the future.

What is the correct storage space for you all comes down to the space you have and what you need to store, if you have the space and only have a small amount of belongings i.e. garden tools, deck chairs then a small garden shed would be ideal, but for those with larger storage needs hiring a self-storage unit would be better fitted, giving you plenty of space to safely store all your garden furniture, tools, lawnmowers, toys, keeping all your belongings clean and in good condition ready for the following summer.

Below we have some top tips on preparing your summer essentials for winter storage .

1 . Clean all your gardening tools

If you’ve had a busy summer in the garden your tools may need a good clean before putting them into storage, get a bowl of hot soapy water and give them a good wash and make sure they are fully dry before putting them away, this will help prevent them from rusting.

 

2. Clean and safely store your electrical equipment

 

Before storing any electrical equipment i.e. lawnmower, strimmer, give all the surfaces a wipe over and remove any trapped grass and dirt,

If you have any fuel left in your mower its best to empty this out, you can do this safely by tilting your mower and pouring the fuel into a plastic tub or bucket, or you can run the engine until empty.

Wrap wires neatly to prevent them getting tangled and causing any damage to them.

 

3.Preparing Furniture

 

Give all your furniture a good wash and wipe down and then once they are fully dry either dismantle or fold down and place them neatly into your storage space placing protective dust sheets over each item to prevent them getting scratched or damaged in anyway.

 

4.   Storing toys and sportswear

 

Wash and wipe down all bikes, toys and any sportswear i.e. football net, basketball net, swing ball set, make sure to let them dry to prevent rusting, you can then dismantle anything big to help organize your space better.

Working from home can seem like the perfect option with so many advantages such as, not having to travel to and from work, getting stuck in traffic, not having to worry about been late or not been home on time, but it can have some disadvantages for example you might be easily distracted by any jobs that need doing around the home, you might struggle to focus and be tempted to switch the tv on. There are many things that could make it hard to concentrate so we have created this short guide to try help make a perfect workspace in your home.

 

1.Set up a desk space

This is the first thing to do, create a space just for work, if you have a spare room this would be perfect for you to have a desk in and storage for your work but if your stuck for space a small area in your home where you could fit a desk preferably with storage space to store any paperwork, sticky notes etc. will be just fine.

2.find the perfect place

Set up your workspace in a light well ventilated room that is clean and tidy so you’re not distracted by any clutter around you, make sure you have a plug socket near you so your not having to have extension wires plugged in and traipsing wires across the room.

3. brighten up your space

Adding some personal touches such as a picture frame, a nice lamp and a couple of plants or flowers around you will help brighten up your workspace making it a lot nicer and more comfortable area to concentrate and work.

3. seating

When you are having to sit for long periods of time it is important to have a comfy office chair that offers good support while you work, this will prevent you having poor posture and putting any strain on your back so this is definitely something to invest in if you are going to be working from home.

5. Take Plenty of Breaks

Getting the right routine for work at home can seem challenging but it is important to set times to start and finish your work day, getting the right balance between work and home life is important, also set times for breaks to avoid burning your self out, you want to give yourself time to wind down, this will help you concentrate better on your work.

 

To all our customers, we are facing some very challenging times, and are trying to follow and act upon our government’s advice regarding the covid-19 outbreak.

At this moment we will remain open until we are told to close, but we will be implementing new measures to protect customers and staff, please see these listed below.

Social distancing

We will be trying to keep everyone at a safe distance and following the medical and government guideline’s by keeping 2 meters apart and limiting face to face contact where possible,

Our office areas will be closed until further notice, it is very important that we protect not only our staff but also our customers.

We are asking all customers to keep a safe distance (2 meters apart) from other customers, to be polite and to not socialize.

New customers

We are still accepting new customers; this can be easily done through email and phone contact.

Payments

When a payment is due, we are asking customers if possible, to make card payment over the phone. Alternatively, it is possible to set up regular payments on our Gocardless system for further details please give us a call. Assisting in this way would be a great help in protecting both staff and you the customer.

Access to units

Customers will still have usual access to units during opening hours.

Keeping things clean

We will be regularly cleaning and disinfecting loading trollies and frequently used areas of the storage site.

We can not supply hand sanitizers or disinfectants on site to our customers, so it is very important that customers bring their own.

If anyone is feeling unwell of showing any symptoms or signs of the coronavirus then please stay at home for more info on symptoms and signs please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

We understand that these are very worrying and trying times, and we are doing all we can to help slow and prevent the spread of the virus and protect our staff and customers, we will try help when is safe and possible, any questions or queries please do not hesitate to call, we are always happy to help, please keep a check on our social media pages and website for any further news and updates, thank you from us all here at Storage Mule.

 

 

Norwich

 

Norwich is a wonderful and beautiful city with lots of history, it is the only place in the uk with the most complete medieval city, it is truly fascinating to walk around and see the half timbered houses, cobbled streets, ancient pubs and buildings, giving you a great insight into our history.

 

Along side all the great history Norwich has the largest permanent undercover market in Europe selling a wide verity of things, then you have a great selection of museums, theatres, places to eat and shop, there is so much to do making it a great day out for any age.

 

Cromer

 

Famous for its pier Cromer is a traditional seaside resort, which has a lifeboat station and pavilion theatre, it is the only place in the UK that still holds a traditional end of pier variety show each summer and winter.

 

Cromer is filled with history, it is home to Britain’s great barrier reef, the Cromer shoal chalk bed which was created in the Mesozoic Era around when dinosaurs lived on the planet, if you’re a keen explorer you can snorkel out to see it.

 

With more history to explore, shops, places to eat and fun filled events such as the Cromer Carnival, the crab and lobster festival and more,

Visiting Cromer is definitely a must!

 

Kings Lynn

 

Rich in history, Kings Lynn is a must to visit. It is most famous for been one of England’s most important ports from the 12th centaury, take a look around the famous harbor then take a tour around the town, walk down the cobbled streets and discover the towns history, visit the museums, churches and see the many historic buildings around this amazing town.

It’s Coming up to that time of year again, one of the most magical and exciting times Christmas!

It is one of the busiest times of year for us all, buying presents, preparing for big family get togethers, it can all get a tad stressful and many of us sit and wonder how we will get through it, will we have enough space, Where are we going to hide all the presents,

Here at Storage Mule we have created a short list on how self-storage is a great option to have over the festive holiday season.

 

Great for Hiding Presents

It can be hard trying to find the space to hide all those lovely surprises and goodies you have bought,

Self-storage gives you a secret hideaway giving you plenty of space to hide all the presents any shape of size without having to worry about anyone finding them.

 

Create Space for Guests

Christmas is a busy time of year, you may have family and friends visiting and staying over, it can be hard making room for everyone, self-storage can help ease the stress and give you space to store any furniture or belongings you don’t need in the house to create the room needed for anyone visiting over the festive season.

 

Great for Business

 

If you run an online store, have a business at home or even an office space, you may need extra stock to keep up with the high demand over the Christmas period but you just don’t have the space! Self-storage can provide you with that extra space for short term and at a low cost.

 

Keep your Decorations Safe and Secure

When the festive season is over, you’re ready to take down the  tree and take down all the decorations, you may be stuck for space and want to keep your decorations ready and in good condition for the following year, self-storage is a great option to have, you can neatly pack away your decorations separating your lights, baubles and tinsel with no need to worry where you can fit them and without shoving them all in one box , you can organise and store them neatly in your self-storage unit ready for when you need them the following year.

 

 

Storing your Belongings

1.      Do not overfill your storage unit, keep it neat and tidy to keep all your belongings safe.

 

2.    Clean all your furniture i.e. hoover sofas, chairs, mattresses and wipe down tables, this will help prevent mould growth and limit dust build up in your storage unit.

 

3.    Dismantle furniture if possible, this will make it easier to store and create more space in your storage unit.

4.    Place your furniture on top of pallets when storing, this helps with the air flow inside your unit. Another option to keep your furniture safe would be to place a thick plastic sheet or cardboard onto the floor.

5.    Protect your furniture by coving it over or wrapping it in sheets, helping to prevent any scratches or scuff marks.

6.    Wrap any glass or fragile items with packing paper and bubble wrap.

7. Clean and Leave appliance doors i.e. refrigerators, freezers or washing machines slightly open to prevent mould growth and unpleasant odours.

8.If storing a freezer, make sure it is fully defrosted and dry.

9.    When storing a washing machine or dishwasher, make sure they are fully drained and dry.

 

Do Not Store any of the Following Items

 

Petrol

Diesel

Gas or oxygen cylinders

Kerosene

Compressed Gas’s

Acid’s

Corrosives

Cleaners

Household Food

Fishing Bate

Pet Foods

 

We may not of listed everything that is not safe to store so, Please keep in mind to not store anything flammable or any type of food product, if you are ever unsure about an item you are storing then please check with a member of staff.