Archives for posts tagged Organization

5 Easy Storage Hacks to Declutter Your Winter World

Coat Rack with Hats and Scarves - Total Storage Self-Storage - Winnipeg Storage If your home is on the small side or if your home is slightly on the cluttered side, you know that winter poses a bit more of a problem than summer. Your space must now be shared with those winter essentials like boots and coats and hats.

These simple hacks are sure to help with the cluttered feeling winter can often cause.

Purchase a good quality boot rack

A boot rack not only keeps your footwear organized, it will keep them looking better and lasting longer. So often we pile our expensive leather boots and shoes on top of each other, leaving them to wallow in salty, melted snow and dirt. Not only will a boot rack keep your foyer looking less cluttered, your expensive boots and shoes will have the chance to dry properly. Keep your boots upright with a cut up pool noodle inserted in each boot.

Stack Your Hats and Mitts

There are many different styles and types of stacking storage baskets and boxes available to match your décor and budget. Each member of the family can “own” a box for their winter accessories. If you do not have the space for a stacking storage box consider a wicker laundry hamper at the front door. Place a clothesline bag on the side with clothes pegs readily available. Mitts and gloves can be pinned together saving you from the frustration of looking for that rogue mitt.

Closet Organizer

The hall closet can be one of the most difficult areas to keep organized. A closet organizer can help you make the most of your space. There are many options from custom built to DIY online projects to help you get the organizer that will work best for your space and your needs.

Use Miracle Hangers

Miracle hangers can be great for organizing each person in the house. Hoodies, sweaters, and light jackets can be organized per family member leaving more space in the closet or on the clothes horse for heavier garments. Colour code each hanger for each person.

Quilt Rack

Quilt racks are often considered a vintage piece of furniture relegated to grandma’s spare bedroom, yet they come in all shapes and sizes for any décor or space and are extremely useful. Keep your throws and cozy blankets on a quilt rack when not in use and keep your living and family room looking much less cluttered.

When Storing your Electronics Give them Some TLC

Electronics Storage - Total Storage Self-Storage - Winnipeg Storage Storing electronic equipment in a storage unit requires a bit of TLC. If you are planning on storing any electronic equipment for any length of time, a little preparation can protect your equipment. These tips will help ensure that your equipment is prepared and protected for future use.

Batteries

Regardless of the type of equipment or the length of time you are storing, if your equipment has batteries, remove them. Acid can leak causing irreparable damage. Don’t forget toys as they are often overlooked.

Dust and Dirt

Make certain that all your equipment is free of dust and dirt. Dust in air vents can keep air from circulating in your equipment and possibly causing humidity issues that can cause permanent damage
- Clean the outside of laptops well. Use a canned air product to remove dirt from keyboards.
- Clean the filters in your air conditioning units.
- Make sure that your vacuums are free of dirt and dust. Throw out used bags to keep unwanted critters out of your unit that could be lurking in old vacuum bags.
- Wipe the air vents on all televisions and stereo equipment

Cords and Cables

Most electronics come with cords and adapters that are specific to the product and they can be very expensive to replace. It is important to organize them well to ensure their longevity.
- Store all your cables and cords in a plastic container.
- Wrap each one well and make sure there are no kinks or knots. This will ensure that you have no shorts in the wiring.
- Label each one well with the corresponding electronic part so you avoid plugging in the wrong adapter later.
- Avoid taping the cord to your equipment as the tape can deteriorate over time and cause damage.

Wrapping Your Equipment

Do not use plastic wrap to store any electronics. Plastic can trap humidity and cause serious damage
- Wrap all your equipment in cotton that will allow your electronics to breathe.

Climate-controlled

A climate-controlled unit is essential for keeping your equipment safe. Choose a self-storage unit facility that is dry and free of humidity.

Total Storage Winnipeg offers climate-controlled, clean, state-of-the-art and secure units in several sizes to store your valuable electronic equipment. For more tips and advice contact our dedicated Self-Storage consultant at 204-832-8181.

Winter Make you Claustrophobic? Organize Your Home

Laundry Pile - Total Storage Self-Storage - Winnipeg Storage The long winter months often mean many more hours spent in your home than you otherwise would and for many of us, claustrophobia can often set in.

Regardless of the size of your home, you can keep that claustrophobic feeling in check and make your home much more enjoyable with some simple de-cluttering and organizing of your space.

Kill the Clutter

Does your kitchen table serve as your filing cabinet? Are your cupboards overflowing with yogurt containers? Is clean laundry making a permanent home in your living room?

Most of us fall victim to clutter in some form or another. Some save every envelope and receipt while others have a hard time sending their plastic containers to the recycling bin. No matter what your choice of clutter may be, getting rid of even a small amount of clutter in your home can be great for the soul. Organizing your bills and receipts, for example, not only helps you clean your space but also makes for easier bill payment and money management.

An uncluttered kitchen table is one of the easiest yet most important decluttering techniques you can do. Having your table free for meals is proven to be one of the best ways to communicate with your family.

Make Space at Your Entrance

All the gear necessary to get through the harsh Winnipeg winter can leave your entrance looking beyond disheveled. Coming home after a hard day’s work and being greeted to wet puddles from boots strewn all over the entrance and hats and mitts thrown on the floor can make anyone overwhelmed.

If you have closets at the front entrance, clean them out. Remove any seasonal items that you are not needing and consider storing them in storage boxes for the season. If you do not have a closet consider an inexpensive clothes horse to hang coats or install hooks in the wall.

Put baskets out for hats and mitts and scarves. If space is an issue, invest in an inexpensive boot rack that can stack several boots in one space.

If your things are overwhelming you and you are unable to downsize for whatever reason, consider a self-storage unit. A self-storage unit is an economical choice and with several sizes available, you can rent only the size you need

Total Storage offers climate controlled storage units in every size. We are fully secured and with 24-hour access you will never worry about accessing your unit. For more tips and advice contact our dedicated Self-Storage consultant at 204-832-8181.

Tips to Get the Most out of Your Self-Storage Unit

Red Storage Boxes - Total Storage Self-Storage - Storage Winnipeg For many people, a self-storage unit is an essential addition to their daily storage needs. We have many businesses and homeowners alike who use their storage unit as more than just a temporary place to keep essential items and the need to access their possessions or product means several visits to their units on a regular basis. Organization is key to getting the most of your unit and a good floor plan is the best way to get the most out of your unit. See our past post “3 Apps to Help Organize Your Move and Your Storage Unit” that can help with this.

Another great way to get the most out of your unit is to consider some of the following options:

Storage Racks

Storage racks come in many different types and sizes and can be an excellent way to keep your unit organized and your goods easily accessed. Plastic racks are inexpensive and come in several sizes. Metal racks are more expensive but are excellent for heavier goods that are being stored. Metal storage racks with wheels are one of the best options for a self- storage unit. They are often called “bread” racks. Available in several sizes, they are the most versatile allowing you to move them about quite easily.

Rolling Clothing Racks

For those of you who must access garments, a rolling clothing rack is a great way to get the most out of your storage unit. Also available in several sizes and qualities, these racks can make it extremely easy to keep garments accessible and organized. Garment bags ensure that your clothing will be kept fresh, dust-free and easy to transport.

Inventory Sheets

Keeping inventory of everything in your self-storage unit will keep you organized and stress free. If you are accessing your unit regularly and adding and removing your goods, it can easily become disorganized, costing you valuable time.

An easy idea is to tape a manila envelope to all of your boxes. Keep an inventory sheet inside the envelope where you can mark off what you have added or removed. Remember to keep a pen in each envelope.

With a few economical additions, your self- storage unit can be an excellent addition to your home or business needs.