How to prepare items for storage

So you want to store some bulky items for summer, or maybe your books are overflowing and you need a little more space. You want to get some personal storage, but you’re unsure how to safely pack your items so they won’t get damaged while they’re away from you. Check out the tips below for packing and storage solutions to keep your valued items safe.

  • Buy some cartons, tissue paper, bubble wrap, packaging tape and other packing items. Make sure you know how much you need to pack and get a little extra just in case something doesn’t fit like planned, or you find something else to store.
  • Wrap fragile items appropriately. This means putting plates in poly foam and glasses in glass socks. Or if you don’t have these storage items, wrap them all in plenty of tissue paper or bubble wrap. Put padding in empty spaces and don’t put anything too close to the box walls. Mark the boxes they go in with “Fragile”.
  • Put linen and clothing in vacuum bags and wardrobe cartons. Use naphthalene or mothballs to keep away mould and damage. Do not store furs or anything irreplaceable.
  • Pack books flat so the spines don’t warp or bend and don’t overfill boxes as they will get heavy and difficult to carry. Don’t put books or other heavy documents and files in boxes with fragile items.
  • Keep furniture off the floor when storing. Cover them with protective plastic or furniture covers. Cushions should be wrapped in plastic. Mattresses should be stood on one end to maximise space and be appropriately covered.
  • Label every box so you know exactly what is in them.
  • Do not store anything that is irreplaceable. Do not store used tires, perishable items, flammables of any kind or items that produce odours. Use your common sense and if you are unsure about storing it, don’t.

For more handy hints on preparing your items for storage, or other storage solutions, look up Australian storage company National Storage online. We have storage solutions for all your items from vehicle and personal storage to records management and wine storage.

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Make Grace of the Space at Your Place!

As of the moment, Sydney holds the record as the most populous city in Australia. The capital city is growing and developing at a steady pace, with new infrastructure and migrants contributing to the expansion. As a result, space has become a commodity. Good thing self storage options are readily available, such as the ones offered by National Storage.

When you’re in a busy city like Sydney, you don’t think much about the amount of unused stuff that you have. You only get to notice it when you bump your hip on the corner table and realise you haven’t used it for months. The first instinct is to either throw it out or sell it online. What you fail to realise is that these items might still be useful in the future. If only you had somewhere to keep them in the meantime.

Self StorageNational Storage offers you self storage space which you can access 24/7, as long as you want, without the need for approval or a set schedule. Only you will have keys to the storage, so feel free to utilise it to your satisfaction. Even the staff will not have keys to your unit, so you can rest easy in the security provided by the service.

In contrast with competing products, National Storage lets you rent the space on a per-month basis. You do not have to lease it for six months or a year. You just pay in advance for how long you need it for and future arrangements can always be renegotiated. This feature is especially useful during change of seasons. The onset of spring usually calls for you to pack your winter clothes and keep your space-consuming heaters. Remember to use vacuum packs so you can minimise the space it takes for more optimum storage space.

There are ways of adjusting to the rapidly expanding growth and changes in the lifestyle of Sydney’s dwellers. If you value your space and your belongings, look into obtaining a self-storage service from National Storage. You can count on them to keep your items safe and secure at a reasonable price.

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Wine Storage

Storage of WineStorage is an important concern for any type of wine, even though most wine produced today is meant for immediate consumption. Wine may be set aside, for some situations, such as if a connoisseur wishes to improve the bouquet. When done correctly, wine storage can be extremely rewarding and adds to the value of this liquid commodity. The opposite is also true, as poorly stored wine can deteriorate rapidly. As such, choosing to store wine in a wine vault can make a world of difference compared to storing it at home.

One example of an excellent storage facility would be Wine Ark, a National Storage subsidiary company. Currently one of the largest and most respected wine storage providers in the Southern Hemisphere; the Wine Ark provides areas such as Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth with a choice of two storage options.

The first is Managed Cellarage, where a fully managed service is designed especially for discerning collectors. For each client, wine will be individually bar-coded, catalogued, and stored in a secure area within Wine Ark’s own climate controlled cellars. Each client’s collection is listed in the company’s online cellar management system, which allows the customer unfettered access to his collection at all hours.

There are neither a minimum, nor a maximum number of cases that can be stored because a client only has to pay for the space that is used. Given the thoroughness of the operation, this wine storage facility is ideal for expats who lack their own storage space, executives too busy to organise their collection, and individuals who are beginning to build up their wine collection.

The second option is the Private Wine Vaults. This is a self-managed cellar that is only accessible to the client or individuals to whom the client has provided necessary authorisation. Each private wine vault is equipped with an individual alarm and monitor, provided by the storage facility. As with Managed Cellarage, clients have free access to their wine 365 days a year.

Given the efficiency, thoroughness and security with which wine vaults operate, it is no wonder that wine aficionados would not hesitate to store their collections away from home. Clients never have to worry about a lack of storage space, as vaults range in size from 10 to 10,000 cases. As many consider wine a valuable commodity, wine vaults like Wine Ark also offer clients the option to rent vaults with or without insurance.

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National Storage has announced an alliance with removal company, MiniMovers

As one of the leading storage companies in Australia, National Storage strives to deliver customers quality, convenience and good service. Although they happily offer storage solutions for all situations, from storing precious items to storing your things for moving house, there are some areas where they can’t help. One of these areas is removals. This is why National Storage has decided to team up with national removalist company, MiniMovers, so you can get the whole package, from storing your goods while selling your house to getting them delivered to your new home or office.

MiniMovers are mover experts, specialising in short-distance door-to-door removals. With over 26 years of experience and high quality service, MiniMovers offers removals for a variety of areas, from moving home to moving a large office. They operate all over Australia, including in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth and work on an hourly rate system with a written no-damage guarantee. National Storage has partnered up with MiniMovers to form a cohesive team for every step of the process.

The new alliance is a big step for National Storage, giving customers access to one of the best removalist companys in the country. Whether you need to store a car, boat, records, wine, household items or anything else, they have a solution for you. And with MiniMovers on their side, you can also get your stuff packed up and moved out without the hassle of finding a good removalist within your budget.

So, don’t look any further for all your storage and removalists needs, get online and check out National Storage today. With all the help you need, from storing office documents and alcohol to televisions and sofas, as well as their new alliance with Brisbane based removalist company, MiniMovers, you can get the whole package without all the hassle of looking and comparing. Take a look at National Storage or MiniMovers respective websites to order or for more information.

 

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Secure Storage: What’s in it For You?

For every significant event in the household, Secure Storageappliances and furniture are usually moved around, leaving some items to be put in the garage or disposed of involuntarily. Whether it’s a new baby, a long-term holiday or the onset of spring, you’ll find yourself in need of space for extra stuff.

As mentioned, the first option is usually to try to store it in the garage or the storage that comes with the unit. This usually leads to insufficient space or inadequate security, leading to stolen bikes or ruined couches because of the elements, like rain.

In these instances, you should ask about available secure storage options in your area. National Storage has sites in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and other capital cities around Australia. With them, you are assured that your items are in good hands.

During long-term holidays, your home is left to the care of neighbours and relatives that come in once in a while to check. Problem is, thieves do not operate on a schedule. They look for available opportunities and exploit the chance to take your belongings. National Storage gives their customers assurance that all your items are locked and guarded tightly.

Winter items can also take up space when it’s time to do spring cleaning. It is advisable to keep your winter clothes in vacuum packs for optimum storage when placed in boxes. You may also include heaters that you probably won’t use in the next few months.

For your peace of mind, temporarily keep your unused items in a secure storage so that you are assured you still have them the next time you need to use them. Call National Storage on 1800 650 423 for more information.

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Declutter Your Office and Make Room for Improvement

Office StorageThe fervent hope of companies is to bring out the best out of their employees. If your office is filled with unnecessary items, appliances and furniture that haven’t been used in months, they tend to distract and get in the way of good performance. For a more ideal work environment, you might want to consider storing unused items and just take hold of them whenever the need arises. National Storage provides on-call pick-up and delivery of business assets, freeing you from the trouble of going back and forth to the storage unit.

For an organised process of storing unused office goods, start with packing small items into cartons. Be sure to write each item in a checklist so you can avoid misplacing them. Apply the necessary labels on the boxes, making sure to indicate if the items inside are fragile such as glass and ceramics. Use bubble wrap to protect intricate designs and corners. Bulky appliances and furniture needs to be wrapped as well.

Next, ask a consultant at National Storage about the available storage sizes. You can base your choice on the measurements of your cartons and big items. Figure out which ones can be put on top—usually the boxes with fragile items.

When everything is ready, you can then arrange for National Storage to pick up all the office items. During the process, tick off the loaded items in the checklist. Once payment arrangements have been made, you can sit back and just wait for the time when you’ll need any of the items.

Finally, you’ll find that you suddenly have more space to work on in the office, leading to more productivity from employees. Visit National Storage online now for more information or to book a storage unit.

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Hardstand Storage vs. Marinas

It’s a common sight to see rows of boats parked on the marinas of Australia. However, leaving them in a free floating state and unattended can lead to repercussions. Fortunately, National Storage provides options to store your boat in one of their 60 storage locations in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, Sunshine Coast, Geelong, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart.

Guard against elements

Boat Storage

In the aftermath of storms, one of the most affected properties that take the impact are boats docked on marinas. Strong winds and aggressive water movement can tip over boats and push them into collisions with other boats. There is not much the owner can do since most marinas have “park-at-your-own-risk” clauses.

Economic costs

Hardstand storage offers you flexible options to rent on a per-month basis, leading to additional savings. National Storage also allows you access to your boat regardless of the time. You are free to fill the boat with supplies the day before the trip, even during the night. If you need to perform repairs, the storage centre can be a viable location to make adjustments, rather than do them while the boat is in water.

Additional security

Security, if any, is usually minimal in marinas, especially during night time. There have been countless cases of vandalism and theft on parked boats. In addition, since the boat is in an inactive position, various animals can easily sneak in, causing damage to the interiors.

For your peace of mind, your boat is better off resting in one of the sites offered by National Storage. With this option, you can save on costs, feel secure and just worry about your vacation plans. For more information, visit a National Storage location near you today.

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Storage Stock In An Emergency

For most people, the idea of storage connotes commercial dealings, such as when a person needs business storage facilities to manage important documents or surplus stock. However, storage is also an option in a world where disaster, both great and small, can strike in a blink of an eye. In fact, it can be a necessity in order to get through the day, and in some cases, just to survive.

If you believe that there is no need for emergency personal storage just because cyclones, earthquakes, or floods would never occur where you live, think again. Many people believed the Queensland Government when they said that there would never be a repeat of the ’74 floods. Yet, earlier this year, Brisbane saw exactly that and many people who thought they were safe from the floods would not have been prepared for what happened next.

Food and water are the obvious items to store in case of emergency situations; medical supplies and tools for sanitation and hygiene are also important (hand-operated washing machines, for example), as is emergency lighting (candles, rechargeable lanterns). If an emergency is expected to last for a long while (who would have thought that Bangkok would be under water for more than a month!), radios and a backup power supply must be factored in as well.

Even if natural disasters are highly unlikely, emergency storage must always remain an option. A person can be vulnerable to a personal disaster that can completely upend their world. It could come in the form of an unexpected, unwanted visit from relatives in the middle of the night from which one must flee at all costs, or the breakdown of a relationship that sees the person bereft of house and home. Whatever the situation, storage for an emergency is worth considering.

Personal storage spaces can also be helpful if a person is the unhappy victim of an unfavourable economic situation. A change in employment status can mean that a person has to opt for a living arrangement in which there is less space for personal items. In this case, it would be desirable to have a place in which to store personal belongings until their personal and work situations change for the better.

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Want to move items from storage to your new home or office? Consider MiniMovers

MiniMovers and National Storage have teamed up to offer their clients an entire package, from storing your items to moving them out. National Storage can store your items, but has no way to transport it. MiniMovers can transport your possessions, but has no way to store it beforehand. Although each company works successfully on its own, their respective industries constantly intersect, causing the two to form an alliance that will benefit both their businesses and your needs.

MiniMovers is a short-distance furniture removal company based in Brisbane that moves items all around the country. With over 26 year’s experience, they have helped thousands of customers move home, office or stock in an affordable and efficient way. Locations they can deliver into include Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Perth. Although they pride themselves on being one of the best companies in the industry, MiniMovers also realised what they were lacking – storage before moving.

National Storage has formed an alliance with MiniMovers to overcome the issue of storing your items before moving. When selling a home, it is easier to store your items out of the way so your house can look its best. However, you may not have a new home to put it in yet, but National Storage can help. If you are moving office you may need somewhere to store old records or leftover equipment. National Storage also has an answer for this. And with the new partnership with MiniMovers, you can then get your possessions delivered without going anywhere else.

The two companies have teamed up in the hope of giving you an entire package. With businesses that intersect on a day to day basis, it is only logical that you can not only get your packaging and storage needs in one place, but you can also get them delivered when you need it. For more information on this partnership and how it can help you, take a look at MiniMovers or National Storage online today.

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Reclaim Your Office Space with Records Management from National Storage

Cluttered office making it hard function at work? If you’ve just switched over to an electronic filing system but don’t want to throw away your paper documentation, why not consider a record management self storage solution?

Often businesses are required to keep records on file for tax accounting and other legal purposes. But six years worth of paper documentation can present space problems, especially for small or home run businesses.  Records management services allow you to reclaim your office space while ensuring all legal guidelines are adhered to.

A records management storage solution allows you to systematically catalogue business records and store them in a secure and organised manner. The contents of each carton are carefully noted and record labels are displayed for quick and easy reference. This system does away with unsightly clutter and makes locating and retrieving past records fast and pain free. Even after years of storage, records can be retrieved by any authorised member of staff, so you don’t have to worry if your original office clerk no longer works for you.

National Storage is a reputable Brisbane based company that specialises in record management solutions for Queensland businesses. Their years of experience in self storage mean they can tailor make a storage package to suit you. No matter what the nature of the storage item, National Storage can find the perfect place to put it. They can even retrieve your businesses records out of storage at short notice and deliver them to you.

National storage has 60 locations around Australia across the six states. If you’re a Brisbane or Melbourne based business, National Storage can take care of all your managed record requirements. If you are looking for somewhere just to store records and are happy to manage them yourself, why not move them into a self storage unit? Visit them online now to find out more.

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