Storage Tips, Self-Storage Association of Michigan

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Self-Storage Unit?

SSAM members proudly offer self-storage solutions for residential and commercial customers throughout Michigan. Whether you need long-term storage for household items or inventory, or short-term storage during a move or while remodeling, self-storage can give you the extra space you need at your home or office.

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Tips for a first-time user of self-storage

Pallets, pallets, pallets: Keeping your items off the floor is almost essential. It might sound silly, but there's no way to promise that the melting snow won't come under the door, or the adjacent unit won't have a spill that soaks its way into your heirloom sofa.
Wrap what you can: Using industrial plastic wrap is a great way to know that belongings are sealed up tight and they won't collect dust or creepy crawlies while in storage. Buy a large roll and wrap as much as you can!
Label, label, label: Even though you know exactly what you're putting in your storage unit at the time you open it, that doesn't mean in 6 months when you need back in it that you won't be digging for ages and opening random boxes until you find what you're after. Label everything—including the hidden and the obvious. You can even go as far as to make a diagram detaling your items locations (back right corner under the desk = cameras to sell on eBay).
Plan for temperature changes: There are things that don't like the cold or the heat and should either be double wrapped, well insulated or not stored at all. Electronics, vinyl records, old photos (if humid), and things of that nature all come out a little less awesome when not stored properly.
Protect the space: While you're concerned about protecting what you put in the unit, protecting the unit itself is also important — there can be heavy fines for scarring the unit during your tenancy. If you rent one to use for, say, your freelance furniture flipping or restoration business, make sure to plastic off the walls and floors to catch glue drips and sprays (don’t risk accidentally spray painting an inside wall).
Bust out your Tetris skills: Even the smallest storage unit can hold a great deal. Make sure you use the space wisely, which means packing things all the way to the ceiling. Bringing in plywood to lay across several boxes can help stabilize layers as you're stacking it up, up and up! It will take the pressure off the tops of your boxes and help keep things safe.

Source: www.apartmenttherapy.com

Boat and RV Storage

Keep your off-season vehicles secure until you’re ready to use them. It’s like having your own premium, reserved parking spot. Commonly stored outdoor items include:

Boats
RVs (trailers and motor homes)
ATVs and snowmobiles

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Getting ready to move?

Once you’ve decided that it’s time to sell your current house, what do you do first? Start packing! Well, sort of. Start the process in order to declutter and depersonalize your home, give the appearance of more space, and make your transition as smooth and stress-free as possible. Plus, if you start sorting, packing and storing now, then you will be in a really good position to move quickly when your house is sold.

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Keep or Shred

If your business is like most, you have tons of paper stored away in filing cabinets and boxes, stashed in desk drawers and maybe even stacked on your desk. What do you REALLY need to keep, and for how long? It’s time to lose that (paper) weight. Here’s a simple guide to help your business determine which documents can be moved into storage and which can be sent to the shredder.

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Household Storage

Self storage is the place for you to store whatever you can’t fit into your own home. People use self-storage for all sorts of purposes:

Store off-season items like sporting gear, outdoor furniture and lawn care equipment
Store possessions during a move

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Business Storage

A cramped workspace can make it difficult to find what you need, distracting you from business at hand. For today’s businessperson, self-storage is a cost effective and efficient solution:

Archive documents, files and paperwork
Store office furniture and equipment

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Why use self-storage?

Self-storage can provide an affordable solution to any situation in which extra space is needed, and just about anything can be stored in self-storage facilities. Whether your needs are temporary or long-term, self-storage frees up space at your home or business and allows easy access to your belongings.

Are you a member of the industry?

If you are currently the owner of a self-storage facility, or are interested in learning more about this growing industry, visit our membership page to learn how you can join the Self-Storage Association of Michigan. If you are already a member, click here to login.

How much space do I need?

Self-storage units come in a variety of sizes to fit your needs. Not sure how much space you need? Click on our storage estimator to get an idea what might work best for your personal or business storage needs. Then, contact a local facility for additional guidance.