tips for self storage

Self-storage is an affordable, efficient way for you to store your life's possessions in a clean and secure environment. Self-storage makes it easy to store items of all shapes and sizes in one convenient storage location.

How do I use it?

Self-storage at Enchanted Lands Self Storage, LLC can be used several ways

• As an extension of your home to store those seldom used items
• Store seasonal items such as decorations or sports equipment
• As a business storage solution to help your business grow
• To free up your garage space

How do I know what size I need?

Create a list of the items that you are going to be storing. Choosing the right size unit will ensure you only pay for the storage you need. 

Unit Size            -       Equivalent To      -      This Unit Will Hold

5' x 10' (50 sq ft)        Walk-In Closet                  Small amounts of furniture, sofas, chairs,  

                                                                                   chest of drawers.

10' x 10' (100 sq ft)     Small Bedroom               One-bedroom apartment or house, including

                                                                                   appliances, boxes

10' x 15' (150 sq ft)      Large Bedroom               A two-bedroom apartment or house 

                                                                                   including appliances, boxes and

                                                                                   miscellaneous items and commercial storage

                                                                                   inventory.

10' x 20' (200 sq ft)   Standard one car garage       A three-bedroom house with major 

                                                                                           appliances, plus lots of boxes. Business 

                                                                                           storage files and inventory.  This size is 

                                                                                           ideal for storage racks.

10' x 30' (300 sq ft)     Standard one-car garage+      A four or five-bedroom house with 

                                                                                               major appliances and room for boxes.  

                                                                                               Excellent for business storage of files,

                                                                                               equipment and permanent records

How long do I need storage?

Enchanted Lands Self Storage, LLC recognizes the need to move your items out when the time is right.  A minimum contract of one (1) month is required, after which our month to month rentals give you the flexibility to choose just how long you require your unit.

Do I need to have a lock?

Even though Enchanted Lands Self Storage, LLC  has an individual security alarms for your unit,  you still need to provide the lock so that you and only you have access.  Locking your unit with a padlock ensures that your unit is not accidentally opened which would trigger the alarm.   Don't have a lock?  No problem, we have locks available for purchase.  

How do I get my items to the unit?

Enchanted Lands Self Storage, LLC has wide driveway aisles and you can drive and park directly in front of your unit. This will facilitate loading and unloading into your unit.

Self Storage Tips - A Helpful Guide to Self Storage.

Determine the packing accessories you need: Paper, bubble wrap, tape, rope, drop cloths, sheets, furniture covers, pallets, skids, dehumidifiers, file boxes or storage cartons.

Fill containers and boxes to capacity: Partially full or bulging boxes may tip or collapse. Protect your fragile goods with packing and place them near the top of your storage space.

Label boxes: Keep a list of labeled boxes at your home or office for easy reference when you need to locate your goods.

Pack the storage space carefully: Leave air space around the perimeter to aid ventilation. Place a pallet on the concrete floors and do not lean items up against the walls. Leave a walkway to the rear of your space for easy access. Use all the space available, including the height and place frequently used goods near the door.

Specific self storage tips for some of the most commonly stored items:

Appliances: A refrigerator or freezer should be thoroughly dry and stored with its door slightly ajar. Some goods can be stored inside large appliances. Boxes can be stacked on top of stoves, refrigerators, and freezers. Make sure that stoves and cooking equipment are cleaned before they are stored.

Bicycles and Other Metal Items: To retard rust, wipe all metal surfaces with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil.

Books and Documents: Pack books flat to protect their spines. Do not place boxes directly on concrete floors, but use pallets or skids to prevent moisture absorption. Use packing to fill all empty pockets in the boxes. Do not pack fragile items in the same box with books and do not overload.

Bedding, Clothing, Curtains, Drapes and Linens: Clothing, curtains and drapes should be stored on hangers. If hanging cartons are not available, such items should be carefully folded and stored in dresser drawers or cedar chests along with bedding and linens. Food crumbs or stains should be removed before storage and avoid storing anything that may attract pests.

Dishes and Glassware: Place a layer of packing inside the bottom and the top of the boxes containing glassware. All glass items should be individually wrapped: nest cups and bowls and stand plates, sauces, and platters on edge. Wrapped glasses should be placed near the top of cartons. Again, fill all pockets with packing. Label all boxes containing glassware, and do not place heavy items on boxes containing glassware

Furniture: Place a pallet, corrugated cardboard mat, or plastic sheet on the floor and stand sofas and mattresses on end. Dissemble beds and tables and wrap table legs in paper. If a table will not dissemble, place padding on the floor and place the table on its top with the legs pointing up. Use dresser tops for stacking cartons and dresser drawers for linens or small, delicate items. Keep upholstery off the floor. Most lightweight chairs can be stacked "seat to seat" or placed upside down on tables which cannot be disassembled. Finally, place a light cotton (e.g. a bedsheet) dust cover on your furniture.

Holiday Decorations: Save the original cartons that contained delicate ornaments. Pad the ornaments with packing paper or newsprint. Wrap strings of lights around a piece of cardboard before placing in a carton lined with packing paper.

Lamps: Wrap large lamp bases in padding, wrap smaller lamps then place them in boxes. Pack delicate lamp shades separately. Do not use newsprint to wrap lamp shades or any other goods that may be damaged by ink stains. Do not store heavy items on cartons containing lamps or lamp shades.

Mirrors, Windows, and Screens: These items should be stored on edges, not flat.

Records and Photographs: Records should be stored on edges to prevent warping. When moving a record player, the tone arm and turntable should be secured to prevent damage.

Tools: Metal tools should be cleaned and wiped with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil to retard rust. Long handled tools such as rakes, shovels and hoes should be clean, lightly oiled and tied in bundled.

What Should or Should Not be Stored in a Self Storage Unit?

Self-storage is an excellent option for storing overflow of many different types of materials from your home or business. You can think of your storage unit as a second garage or business supply room.

When planning what to store in your unit, whether for business or personal purposes, consider that all storage facilities have restrictions on what they will allow you to store on their premises. This is for the protection of not just you and your belongings, but the facility staff and other customers and their goods. You will be required to sign a lease indicating that you understand and agree to adhere to the rules and restrictions for what items are allowable. As a general rule, any item or material that is considered “inherently dangerous” will not be allowed.

In preparation for renting a storage unit, make out a preliminary inventory of the items you wish to store. Bring this with you to review with the storage facility manager to make sure you’ll be in full compliance with the list of allowable items. Full disclosure of what you will be storing is required. Or, if you’re not sure if an item is allowed, call the self-storage facility ahead of time to find out. This will prevent any related inconvenience upon arriving at the storage site.

Enchanted Lands Self Storage, LLC frequently gets questions about what is acceptable to store. Here is a list of items and materials about which we are commonly asked:

Combustible, Flammable, Hazardous or Toxic Materials

Considered “inherently dangerous,” these include gasoline, compressed gas, propane tanks, kerosene, lamp and motor oil, acid, grease, corrosives, fertilizer, paint, cleaners, chemicals, narcotics, or hazardous, toxic or biological waste. Asbestos or products containing asbestos are not allowed. You also cannot store fireworks, explosives, weapons or ammunition.

Vehicles

Vehicles can only be stored parked as outside storage as long as they are registered, insured and in operational condition.

Medical/Pharmaceutical Supplies & Equipment Medical/Pharmaceutical Supplies & Equipment

If you are a sales representative, you may find a self-storage unit a convenient place to manage medical supplies and pharmaceutical samples. It is a useful way to keep your products organized and easily accessible without cluttering up your office or filling your car trunk. While most supplies are acceptable, radioactive equipment – or anything that contains radioactive materials – cannot legally be stored. 

Construction Equipment

If you work in construction, it can be convenient to stop by the storage unit on the way to the site and pick up the equipment you need. However, please check with the self-storage facility before planning to store any construction equipment. Some equipment – for example, equipment used to locate underground water – is prohibited.

Perishable Food and Animal Products

Canned foods can be stored in storage units, but perishable food products such as cereals, produce or meats are not allowed. These may spoil or attract pests. 

Miscellaneous Prohibited Items

Any animals or plants – alive or dead – cannot be stored. Nor can any stolen items. People are not allowed to plug in or use refrigerators, freezers, generators, space heaters or live in storage units.

If you have any question about the items you wish to store, consult the manager of the self-storage facility before you pack and arrive at the site.