Posts

Pro Tips for Spring Cleaning

/in , /by

 

Tips for Spring Cleaning

How to get started Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning on Your Mind?

But Where to Start?

Experts say spring cleaning has several benefits — a clean home can improve your health and make you
happier. But were to start? Decluttering is the first step, but can be a daunting task. Here are a few
decluttering tricks from the staff at Drayton Valley Storage to help you get started.
1) Start by decluttering small spaces like a drawer or cabinet and as you gain confidence tackle
bigger spaces.
2) Set yourself up for success by tidying your home slowly in short, manageable spurts. For
example, aim to spend 20 minutes cleaning each day instead of doing it for an entire day or over
a weekend.
3) Honor your natural pace by cleaning as you go about your day. This can look like doing the
dishes immediately after cooking dinner or decluttering your closet while you put away your
laundry.
Do you have a sentimental attachment to items? As such, the thought of decluttering
your possessions may feel overwhelming. Here are some tricks to help you come to terms
with letting go of some belongings:
1) Try the one in, one out rule. This principle is simple yet surprisingly effective: For every new item
you bring into your home, something you already own must go.
2) Use the inverted decluttering technique coined by author Gretchen Rubin in her book “Outer
Order, Inner Calm.” Instead of focusing on items you want to keep, identify the worst or least
useful things you own. You’ll find clarity and satisfaction in singling out what no longer serves
you.

Spring Cleaning

Pro Tips for Spring Cleaning

 

3) Take a cue from author Emily Ley and ask yourself if an item is the best, favourite or necessary.
This will encourage you to ditch duplicates, hold on to the necessities, and appreciate the
fabulous stuff you already own.
4) Ask yourself if your possessions spark joy. Popularized by Japanese decluttering expert Marie
Kondo this strategy will help you evaluate whether to keep an item or get rid of it based on how
it makes you feel.
5) Use a cut-and-dry trick like the “90/90” rule. Coined by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan
Nicodemus of The Minimalists, with this rule you to ask yourself two questions: Have you used it
in the past 90 days? If not, will you use it in the next 90 days? If you answer “no” to both
questions, it’s time to let it go – gift it, donate it, or through it out.
What tip works to get you started on a decluttering or cleaning spree? Share those tips on our Facebook page.

Preparing Belongings For Storage

/in /by
Preparing Your Belongings For Storage

Prepare your belongings for storage

Before you pack your belongings into storage, you need to get them ready. From cleaning to taking inventory, here’s how to best prepare.

Purge
If you haven’t used something in a while or no longer want an item don’t waste money storing it. Sell it or donate it to someone who will make better use of the item.

Clean everything that’s going into storage
Before you put things into storage make sure they are clean. Why is this important? If you store something while it’s dirty, it’s only going to be worse for wear when you unpack it two, four, or twelve months later. Over time things that are stored dirty can acquire a musty smell, and stains can damage fabrics. A thorough cleaning will ensure that items don’t deteriorate while in storage. Our friends at the Uptown Laundry will have more info to help you too. 

Pro tips:

  • Wash clothes and linens then store them in plastic bags to prevent mold and mildew.
  • Vacuum out the crevasses and wipe all furnishings then use an appropriate protective spray on leather and fabric upholstery. Wax wood furniture.
  • Wipe the inside and outside of appliances. If applicable, run a final wash cycle with vinegar. If you are storing a washer, make sure all tanks and hoses are drained. For fridges and freezers add a moisture absorbent substance like charcoal to help prevent odors.
  • Wipe all sporting goods and kids’ toys including plush toys. Store plush toys in plastic bags.

Inventory what you’re storing

Person taking inventory for self storage

Take inventory for self storage

While you are cleaning your belongings, write down what’s going to be stored. Why is this important? An inventory will help you determine what size storage unit you need and how to organize that storage unit.

Pro tips:

  • Our storage calculator web page allows you to enter an inventory of your belongings and calculates what size storage unit you need. You can also email this list to yourself right from our storage .
  • Add a brief description including the item’s brand, serial number, model number, and if there is any damage to your inventory list.
  • Email a copy of your inventory list to your property insurance agent and advise them that you are putting these items into storage. This will help ensure that you have coverage for these possession’s and speed up the claims process should disaster make this necessary.

Make sure you get the right size of storage unit
Our easy-to-use storage calculator does the math for you. Once you’ve entered an inventory of your possessions into the calculator the graph on the right side of this web page tells you what size storage unit you need. You can then go ahead and book your storage unit either by clicking on the button on our website, or if you need help you can call us and talk to someone in our office.

Pro tip:

  • Right now, we are experiencing high demand for storage units and have a waiting list for many sizes. Renting online allows you to quickly see and rent any size that is available. This is kind of like a gamer’s cheat code for self-storage. If the size you want isn’t available don’t give up. People come and go from self-storage units daily. So, call our office and get on the waitlist right away.
  • Self storage calculator

    Self storage calculator

Now you will need to pack your belongings. How you pack an item determines how well it survives a move, storage and then being unpacked. Watch for our next blog — How to pack your belongings like a pro so they are in good condition when you take them out of storage.

Earth Day

/in /by


Earth day is coming April 22 and amid all the chaos of the past few years we wanted to put the focus back on the future of our families and our community here at Drayton Valley Storage. After all the way we treat the environment now will affect future generations.

A planet that is growing warmer each year isn’t good for any living thing. We can’t become complacent to this threat to the world, so Drayton Valley Storage has focused on offering only moving boxes made from recycled material and going paperless in our office. Below are just a few positive effects this action has on our community and the world.

Protects trees (our shield against CO2)
Trees are considered carbon sinks. Trees lock away carbon dioxide in the wood, roots, and leaves. “This locking-up process ‘stores’ carbon as wood and not as an available ‘greenhouse’ gas. Trees are imperative to earths survival so it is beneficial to protect them as best we can.” Steve Nix forestry expert on 

Reduces paper waste
According to , in 2022, paper mills will produce about 500 million tons of paper and cardboard. Paper waste produces pollution which is toxic to air, water, and soil. Paper is produced by using chlorine-based bleaches so when paper rots in the landfill Methane gas gets released. This gas is worse than CO2. Using products made with recycled products and going paperless significantly reduces paper waste and in turn reduces the amount of toxic gasses entering our atmosphere.

Saves water
The amount of water used to produce one piece of paper is 10 litres. The less paper we use in our office, the less of the life-giving resource is wasted.

How is your family or business being environmentally conscious? We’d love to hear your ideas so that we all can do a little better to help our home — planet Earth.

Camping During Covid-19

/in /by


Now that the weather is finally nice most of us have the itch to get our campers out, spruced up, and on the road to our favorite camping spot so we can enjoy our summer. Well this season it is looking very different thanks to Covid-19.
Provincial campsites will all remain closed until after a government assessment on June 21, 2020. However, the private camp grounds are under county discretion as long as they comply with rules set out by Alberta Health Services. Here’s what to prepare for this Covid camping season: Read more

Prepping Your Motorbike for the First Ride of Spring

/in /by


Author’s Note: In light of our current situation surrounding self-isolation and social-distancing, we ask that you ride responsibly – please ride alone, and avoid large groups.
Everyone knows January 1st is the beginning of the New Year, but for me the year really doesn’t get underway until the snow melts and the open road beckons. When I feel that urge to pull my motorbike from its winter slumber, here is my checklist to make that first run of the year a little more enjoyable: Read more

7 Essential Steps to De-Winterize Your RV

/in /by

Information Courtesy of Western RV
Get ready for another great camping season by de-winterizing your RV. Here are seven essential steps to getting ready for the road.
SEAMS AND SEALANTS
Winter weather can wreak havoc on rubber, plastic and caulking compounds so inspect seams and seals for leaks. Read more

Tips for Winterizing Your RV

/in /by

Yard Sale Tips

/in /by

Spring is yard sale season, it’s time to start planning. Here are a few tips to help your yard sale run smoothly. Read more

Getting Your RV Ready for Spring – Western RV Feature

/in /by


Camping Season is upon us, here’s some great advice we received to get your RV ready for the spring! Thank you to Mike Kwasek from Western RV, Leduc for the great information on how to “de-winterize” and the services available at Western RV. Read more

Stashing Your Summer Gear

/in /by

Summer, it’s gone with the blink of an eye. It’s time again to stash your summer gear. Here are a few helpful tips and articles to ensure that your equipment is good as new when you take it out of storage next spring. Read more