Spring Cleaning Tips

As spring has well and truly sprung, it might be the perfect opportunity for some spring cleaning. So, what is the best way to approach spring cleaning? We have broken down the process by room to help you unlock a new frame of mind and a new lease on life. Please keep reading for our top tips to quickly and effectively declutter your living spaces.

Supplies needed include:

• Gloves
• Bucket
• Clean microfiber cloths
• Sponges
• Reusable spray bottle
• All-purpose cleaner
• Duster
• White distilled vinegar
• Baking soda
• Dish soap
• Vacuum
• Mop
• Boxes
• Marker
• Garbage bags

Windows

Water and a microfiber cloth will typically clean windows more effectively than chemicals. Otherwise, make a glass cleaner solution with 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, 1/3 cup vinegar, and distilled water. A great tip is to try not to pick a day that's too hot, as if it's too sunny as the cleaning solution will dry too fast, and you'll have streaks on your windows.

Window screens can get very dirty throughout the year. Clean them using warm water and a mild dishwashing liquid, scrubbing each screen with a brush. Once clean, rinse them thoroughly with water.

Overlooked Surfaces

Sliding Door Tracks: Scrubbing the sliding door tracks with an old, dry toothbrush to loosen debris, then use your vacuum hose to remove it. Finish with a wet sponge.

Baseboards, door frames, and walls: Wash them with a sponge and a squirt of dishwashing liquid mixed in a bucket of warm water.

Curtains: Go over them thoroughly during spring cleaning with the upholstery attachment on your vacuum. To remove dust from sheer curtains, put them in the dryer on low with a fabric softener sheet.

Light Fixtures and bulbs: Dust fixtures and bulbs you can reach with a microfiber or lint-free cloth. To clean grimy bulbs, lightly dampen a cloth with vinegar and wipe. Tackle light fixtures before cleaning the rest of the room so any falling dust doesn't disrupt already-clean surfaces. Remember to make sure bulbs are cool to the touch and your hands are dry.

Declutter

As you declutter, equip yourself with a few boxes from your local Storage King for sorting: you could have one for garage sale items, one for storage, another for items to donate, and a garbage bag for items to toss. Return the things you intend to keep to their correct places and rooms.

Toys, games and puzzles: Favourite old games should be kept, but sometimes there isn’t enough room. Storing these items is a great way to make sure your home is de-cluttered and so that the fond memories never disappear.

Self-Storage: For items you wish to keep but don't necessarily want them at home decluttering your space, consider a self-storage unit. At Storage King we have a wide range of storage spaces available for your needs.

Bedrooms

The top things to remember to do in the bedroom are: 

• Rotate and flip mattresses.
• Wash blankets and comforters.
• Wash mattress pads and bed skirts.
• Clean area rugs or have them dry-cleaned.
• You can replace old pillows or clean your current pillows, send them to a professional cleaner, hang them outside in the fresh air, or freshen them with your clothes dryer's air (no heat) cycle.

Wardrobes

Declutter your closet by storing away unused items in a designated space. This will free up room for seasonal essentials and ensure you can easily find your winter gear when the weather turns cold. Remember to label boxes for easy retrieval.

Bathrooms

You may clean your bathroom regularly, but spring cleaning is a great time to conquer clutter and toss old and expired products. Go through your medicine cabinets and safely discard any outdated items. Clean or replace worn bath mats and shower curtains.

Kitchen

To spring-clean your kitchen, declutter your pantry, cabinets, and drawers. Wipe them out, store or donate equipment you don't use, such as small appliances or cookware, and discard expired food items. Don't forget to clean behind the refrigerator and freezer.

Living Room

Declutter your living room by returning misplaced items to their designated homes. For items without a specific place, consider storing them in labelled boxes. Don't discard usable items you might need later.

Home Office

Organise files and office supplies, and clean your computer and desk.

Outdoor Furniture

Get ready for summer entertaining by cleaning outdoor furniture. Check the recommended way to clean and repair the furniture on your deck, porch, or patio, including chairs, tables, and benches. Don't forget to treat mildew or mould.

Fire Safety

Change batteries in smoke detectors and make sure they are free of dust. Review escape plans.

Most homeowners find that decluttering once every Spring helps them keep their homes neat and sanity intact. When it comes to household clutter, less is more. You will also feel much better once your home is clean and fresh.

If you require boxes, packing items or need that extra storage space, contact your local Storage King on 1800 100 700 (AU) or 0800 220 210 (NZ) to learn about our self-storage options and our huge range of cardboard boxes and packing materials.

Organising Kids Toys and Clutter

 

Kids' toys can quickly accumulate, taking over your home and making indoor spaces look cluttered and messy. Below are some effective strategies to manage and organise your child's belongings, hopefully without hurt feelings.

Involve the kids

• Teach Organisation: Involve your child in the decluttering and organising process.
• Create a Reward System: Offer incentives for maintaining a tidy play area.

Decluttering

• Do the easy things first: Decluttering is a gradual process. Start by removing outgrown clothes, unused items, and broken belongings. Once you've gained momentum, evaluate whether those cherished toys are worth keeping, discarding, or storing.
• Regular Purging: Encourage your child to donate or sell toys they no longer play with. One thing in and one thing out rule is simple but effective.
• Set Limits: Establish a reasonable number of toys to keep, preventing excessive accumulation.
• Create a Donation Box: Have a designated box for toys that are no longer used.

Storage Solutions

• Utilise Space Efficiently: Use shelves, bins, and baskets to maximise storage space.
• Labelling: Label storage containers clearly to help with organisation and retrieval.
• Categorise Toys: Group toys by type or theme for more effortless organisation.
• Self-Storage Unit: You might want to talk with your children about moving some of their toys to a self-storage unit. Assure them that their toys will be kept safe and that they can always retrieve them if they want to play with them in the future. If a toy is not asked for in 6 months or more, consider donating or selling these toys.

Additional Tips

• Do it as a family: Getting rid of clutter together represents an opportunity to encourage your kids to take responsibility for things rather than expecting you to care for them.
• Rotate Toys: Store some toys away and rotate them periodically to keep things fresh.
• Digital Storage: Consider storing digital versions of games and activities.
• Create a Designated Play Area: Have a specific area for play to help keep toys contained.

Implementing these strategies can create a more enjoyable play environment for your child and a relaxed home for you.

Call your local Storage King on 1800 100 700 (AU) or 0800 220 210 (NZ) to learn about our storage options and our huge range of boxes and packing materials.

Self Storage and Retirement

Are you considering a significant life change like downsizing for retirement? Downsizing can be both a practical and emotional process, but you can make the transition smoother. Whether moving into a smaller home, a retirement community, or simply decluttering for mobility issues, self-storage units can provide extra space for your short or long-term storage requirements.

Downsizing does not have to be complicated.

One common trend among retirees is downsizing from a larger family home to a more manageable living space such as an apartment or a smaller house. This transition often involves sorting through decades' worth of belongings. A self-storage unit provides a secure place to store items that are not needed daily but hold sentimental value or may be helpful in the future.

Is it time to travel?

Retirement often brings the freedom to travel without the constraints of work schedules. Whether it's extended vacations, visiting family across the country, or embarking on international adventures, having a safe place to store personal belongings while away can be invaluable. Self-storage units protect your possessions from theft, damage, and environmental factors while you enjoy your travels and time with loved ones.

Secure important things

Preserve your cherished heirlooms and antiques in a self-storage unit, keeping them in pristine condition for generations to come.

Choosing the Right Storage Unit

What size storage unit do I need for downsizing?

The storage unit size you need for downsizing depends on the number and size of the items you plan to store. Our storage facilities provide a variety of unit sizes to accommodate different downsizing requirements. Our friendly staff can help you determine the ideal unit size based on your items.

Can I access my stored items while downsizing for retirement?

Yes, you can access your stored items anytime during our facility access hours. Storage King offers convenient access, making it easier to retrieve or add items to your storage unit as needed.

Where to begin when organising your storage unit

1 - Sort and label: Group similar items together (e.g. decorations, sporting equipment) and label boxes.

2 - Shelves: Shelving units can maximise vertical space within the storage unit and help keeps things organised.

3 - Inventory list: Maintain an inventory list of stored items and their locations within the unit for quick reference.

4 - Disassemble Furniture: If possible, break down furniture into smaller parts. This not only saves space but can also protect your belongings during storage.

5 - Leave Space for Access: If regular access is needed, leave pathways between stacked items so everything remains easily reachable.

Retirees can enjoy peace of mind knowing their treasured possessions are secure yet accessible whenever required, allowing them greater freedom to enjoy this new chapter of life.

Call your local Storage King on 1800 100 700 (AU) or 0800 220 210 (NZ) to learn about our storage options and our huge range of moving and packing materials.

Storage Tips For When Your Renovating Your Home

Renovations can be a thrilling rollercoaster of emotions! Whether you dream up a grand overhaul or plan a modest makeover, proper preparation is your golden ticket to a smoother ride. As your home transforms, safeguarding your belongings is very important. Let's dive into smart packing and storage tips to protect your items.

Organisation and planning are key to packing your items. They will help make the packing easy, and when it comes time to move your items back into your newly renovated space, they will be undamaged, clean and ready to use.

What Packing supplies will I need?

Ensure a smooth packing process by gathering all necessary supplies beforehand. The items you may need include:

• Boxes
• Bubble wrap
• Butcher Packing Paper
• Acid-Free Packing Paper
• Packing tape
• Labels
• Markers
• Packing knife
• Packing bags

Where should I store my items?

Once you have sorted out your packing supplies, there are options to choose from with regard to the storage of your items. When it comes down to it, it is best to store your items in a place that was designed for storage. You might think it is a good idea to save a few dollars and store it at home or at a friend's place, but this could lead to damages and the loss of a valuable friendship if something goes wrong.

Storage facilities are a safe and secure place to store your possessions. They offer a range of units of different sizes to suit your needs. Most self-storage facilities accept short and long-term storage so it doesn’t matter how big or small your renovation is.

You can move your belongings to self-storage yourself by hiring professional removalists to help you move everything for you or you can take advantage that some facilities offer free use of a truck or trailer truck.

Packing tips

Select Sturdy Boxes and Packing Materials: Invest in high-quality moving boxes that can carry the weight of your items. Avoid using damaged or old boxes as they may compromise the integrity of your belongings.

Use packing materials like bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and foam inserts to protect fragile items.

Label Boxes Clearly: Label each box with its contents and the room it came from.

Create an Inventory List: Make a detailed inventory of all the items you store. This list will help you keep track of your belongings and assist you during the unpacking process once the renovations are over.

Disassemble Furniture: To save space, disassemble large furniture items when possible. Keep all screws, bolts, and hardware in clearly labelled bags and tape them securely to the furniture pieces they belong to. This way, you won’t have to search for them later.

Protect Furniture with Covers: Use furniture covers or blankets to shield larger furniture pieces from dust, scratches, and potential damage during storage.

A successful remodel starts with a solid storage plan. Carefully assess your belongings, select the right storage solution, and pack carefully to ensure everything's safe during renovations.

Contact your local Storage King on 1800 100 700 (AU) or 0800 220 210 (NZ) for self-storage, and check out our huge range of moving and packing materials.

Furniture Storage Tips

Remodeling your home? Downsizing for a while? Whatever your reason for storing furniture, you must remember that it does not need to be a hassle. Regardless if you are storing your furniture for a short period or a long period, here are tips to keep your furniture safe and sound in storage.

Clean and prepare

Prep your furniture for storage like a pro! Here's how to thoroughly clean and dry each piece before it heads to its temporary home.

Upholstery: Vacuum to remove dirt or debris and use an upholstery cleaner to lift odours. Make sure it is completely dry before storing.

Leather: Vacuum, then use a good quality leather cleaner.

Wood: First, dust, and then you can use a wood cleaner or a mild solution of soap and water.

Glass: Dust before using glass cleaner to remove any marks

Remember, you need time for everything to dry before wrapping furniture for storage. Moisture is not your friend. You should start your cleaning 24 to 48 hours before you want to start wrapping your furniture for storage.


Disassemble

Dismantling all your furniture down to the last divisible unit can make it easier to transport and store it. It becomes easier to load and unload it from the truck and it minimises the risk of scratching or breaking it.

When you’re disassembling your furniture, ensure you keep copies or photos of assembly instructions, and keep sealed ZipLock bags with any screws and specific tools secured to the furniture for future reassembling.


Label

Label all of your boxes so you know what is inside. Also, group parts of the same furniture together and label them accordingly.


Covering and Protecting

While every step matters, furniture wrapping is the ultimate shield for storing your belongings. Without properly wrapping furniture, your items may be ruined by dirt, moisture, and other factors, such as temperature fluctuations and impact.

The following items will be useful for the transportation and storage of your furniture.

• Packing wrap
• Moving blankets
• Bubble wrap
• Packing tape
• Dollys
• Lifting straps
• Tie-downs
• Double-corrugated storage boxes.
• Labels
• Markers

Avoid using thick plastic covers or materials with poor breathability to prevent moisture from getting trapped inside. If the storage unit is not climate-controlled, cover the floor adequately before putting your furniture to protect it from floor moisture.

Breakables like mirrors, antiques, and glass tables should be wrapped in multiple layers of breathable material to give them as much protection as possible. You can pack them in a combination of packing paper and bubble wrap, then place them in a sturdy box.


Store Your Furniture Intelligently

Strategically map out where you are going to place everything before you start to avoid stacking up furniture where damage may occur. And don’t cram the space—a good spacing tip is to leave at least a 5 cm pocket of space between each item.



Lastly, when in doubt, contact a professional! Call your local Storage King on 1800 100 700 (AU) or 0800 220 210 (NZ) to learn about our huge range of moving and packing materials.

Hiring The Right Removalist

Moving can be stressful and overwhelming. You might already be dealing with decluttering, packing, changing address paperwork, taking care of the family or running your business. A good professional removalist can be very helpful in this stressful, busy time. A genuine company helps you experience a smooth relocation and ensures the safety of the valuables throughout the process.

Do Your Research!

Start by asking for recommendations from trusted people in your life. If any of your close friends, family or business colleagues have recently moved, talk to them and ask them which company they hired to move their belongings. Knowing about the service quality and professionals from people you trust can be very helpful.

Reading online reviews on Google or Facebook can also help you determine whether the customers are satisfied with their service, price, professionalism, etc.

Experience matters! You want to pick a trained, experienced removalist to help you. See how long they have been in business. You’ll most likely be better off with a removalist service that has a proven track record.

The Right Quote

Firstly, you need to understand that many factors can influence the cost of moving with a removalist. These can include the number of boxes you have, whether there are fragile items that need special attention, the number of removalists needed, the number of trips needed between locations, whether packing and unpacking are required, etc. Some removalists offer free inspections to assess your belongings and go over all the details with you. This will help you avoid any additional costs later.

Remember that the cheapest is not always better.

Read The Terms and Conditions

Before you book your removalists, you should carefully check the details of the quote and the terms and conditions. Ensure that everything is clear and accurate and that there are no hidden charges or surprises. For example, there might be hidden fees for heavy items, navigating stairs, or unforeseen delays.

Are you insured? Confirm the extent and specifics of the removalist's insurance coverage. Understand what is included and excluded, especially regarding damages that might happen during the move.

What happens if you need to cancel or change the move date? To avoid any financial or logistical dilemmas, it’s essential to know the terms and conditions associated with cancellations. Make sure you understand these terms before committing.

Getting Started

As you start the process of selecting trustworthy removalists, remember that not all removalists are equal. Each move is unique, and finding the perfect fit requires careful consideration.

Storage King can assist by providing you with local recommended removalists. We can also help equip you with the right boxes and packing materials, which are viewable online or in-store.

Call your local Storage King Store on 1800 100 700 (AU) or 0800 220 210 (NZ).

Tips For Moving In Together

People move in together for many reasons, from love to financial reasons. Moving in together as a couple for the first time is a huge step and not to be taken lightly. There are many things to consider, such as choosing whose furniture to keep, what is getting tossed, whether duplicate furniture should be stored or sold, how to decorate, and who is getting what closet/drawer space. In this article, we look at how to make the process less stressful for everyone involved. 

If you decide to move into the other person’s house or apartment, tread carefully. There are many reasons why you might want to look past this idea. One reason is that it is already fully furnished with one person's things. They might be reluctant to part with their belongings as their place is already set up how they like it. You might always feel like it's their place and never quite feel like “home” for you.

The best way forward might be to rent a new place together before buying, especially if the relationship is fairly new. Discuss what you can afford or want to spend on a new place.

Declutter time!

Don't hesitate to get rid of items that you don't use. Focus on getting rid of old clothes, shoes, electronics, and maybe those old photos of your ex that you were holding onto. If you have anything of value, you may consider selling items to help pay moving costs.

If you are unsure what furniture or items to keep, especially if you have many duplicates, you might want to consider renting a storage unit to store your items until you figure out what you will be keeping in your new place. 

Packing time!

Now is the time to figure out how many boxes you might need. It's always best to use an assortment of sizes. Don’t forget bubble wrap, tape, protective covers/blankets, a few permanent marker pens, labels, and a packing knife. Creating an inventory of your belongings as you pack might also be a good idea.

Your local Storage King has a wide range of moving and packing materials from boxes to moving covers, bubble wrap, packing tape, pens, moving blankets, packing knives, and more!

You will also want to pack items for day one of when you move in together; things like kitchen supplies, a kettle, towels, toiletries, and bedding should be easily accessible from the minute you move in. 

Expectations, chores and money.

Who loves dishes? Nobody! Talking openly about chores and responsibilities from the beginning can create a smooth-running household and free up more time for the fun stuff later on.

Finances and money can be a difficult topic to talk about, it can make all the difference in creating a successful living arrangement with your partner. Be honest when talking about income, savings, bills, financial expectations and if you will be creating a joint budget for living expenses.

Self-Storage is a flexible option!

As mentioned earlier, you may want to rent a storage unit short term during the move while you figure things out what you will keep but will you need a storage unit long term for items you don’t use often like holiday decorations, winter clothes, sporting equipment or for items you don’t have the heart to part with quite yet?

After the move

Going from living alone, family life, or roommates to sharing a space with your partner is a big jump! Be patient with yourselves as you adjust to new routines, surroundings, and the joys (and quirks) of domestic life together. Open and honest communication is key to making this transition successful.

Don't forget to change your address where needed, and most importantly, it's time to have a housewarming party and enjoy your new space!

Call your local Storage King on 1800 100 700 (AU) or  0800 220 210 (NZ) to learn about our storage options and our huge range of moving and packing materials.