August Tips - Finding the right mover

1. Is the company franchised or under sole ownership & will they sub-contract the work out.
2. Do they have references that you can call.
3. What is their policy on broken items.
4. Are the movers that are handling your things bonded? Licensed?
5. Do they charge a flat fee and will they give you a price for the job in writing.
6. Does the company have any unresolved claims against them. What are they?
7. Should I tip the movers? This is solely based on your experience. Did they arrive on time? Provide good service? Did they go out of their way to accommodate you? Do you have alot of stairs, heavy, bulky items? It is recommended to give a minimum of $20.00 per person, up to whatever you feel comfortable with.
8. It is also a nice touch to have some cold drinks and snacks or pizza on hand if they are working over lunch or dinner.
9. Make a moving inventory and check it as it goes on the truck and again as it comes off.
10.Shop around

July tip

Take a little time to visit the farmers markets and stock up on the wonderful fruits of summer. Bring the fruit home, wash it, cut off the stems, slice and freeze on a baking sheet until frozen. Then bag it in a freezer bag or container for use in the winter.

Tip for June

When June arrives everyone is more than ready to head outside. Do a bolt and screw tighten of all the items that have stood dormant for the winter. Bicycles, lawnmowers, wagons etc... You might want to check the air in the tires and add a little oil to any blades and chains. Do a walk around the outside of your property and look for any wear and tear that happened over the winter. A small problem can get big quickly. Check the eaves for leaf build-up and the hoses for cracks and worn washers. Taking a day to get organized will save you time and money in the future.

Spring clean up

When the walls seem to be closing in on you, it might be time to get rid of a few things. At first, it may seem like a monumental task, but take it slowly, a step at a time and before you know it, you'll be dancing in free space.
1-get rid of anything with broken zippers or wheels--like on suitcases or wagons.
2-throw out broken toys.
3-give away boots that are too small.
4-give away small appliances or musical instruments that you haven't used in over a year.
5-give away old coats.
All of the above won't take you very long to do, but takes up alot of space.

Someone doing a good deed

There's a wonderful woman in one of our storage facilities that collects empty milk bags, the larger outside ones. She and some others make mats out of them. If you want to save your milk bags and send them to any of our Selfstor locations, I'm sure she would be very happy.

Does someone know you have items in storage?

Have you ever thought about what would happen to your items in storage, if something happened to you?
We are not legally allowed to let someone into your unit unless they are on your contract or have legal papers stating they have power of attorney over your property.
Let your lawyers know your passwords, where you've stored items for safekeeping. Storage or safety deposit boxes etc...

More stories from the facility

We have a client that is an accomplished pianist. Unfortunately he cannot fit his grand piano into his apartment. Once per week we are fortunate enough to be serenaded by him, from his unit. He is so amazing that everyone stops what they're doing to listen. I think we even have some people coming to visit their storage unit at the same time, just so they can hear him play.

Getting your cleaning tools clean

Cleaning the toilet bowl, mopping the floor, washing the dishes etc.. The tools you use can start to smell like wet musty socks! An easy way to clean everything is to just put it on the racks in your dishwasher and put it through a wash cycle. They will come out smelling fresh and ready to start again. Your mop  will be wet though, so you should hang it until it dries.
By the way...You can only put the mop head into the dishwasher, if yours doesn't come off then you will have to soak your mop in a bucket of water with bleach or dishwasher liquid added. Squeeze the excess water out and hang to dry.

Protective Glass for your Art

A while back I was asked to search for historic art for a very old building. I found some in the library archives. Upon having it made into an appropriate size, we had the glass that was going to cover the photo protected with a UV filtered glass. This can be clear as well as tinted. When you're spending the time to do all the work, it makes sense to have the picture protected. This will reduce any fading. Its a really good idea to consider if you have some art going in an area with much sunlight.

Storing your Art

When storing any art for long periods of time, it might be wise to invest in an art storage rack with dividers.
Don't place your art on a concrete floor. Concrete is porous and moisture will inevitably creep up to your art.
Avoid wrapping in plastic. You will trap humidity and therefore risk mold growing onto your art.
Try to find acid free cardboard (art supply stores) and try not to let the wrapping material touch the front of your painting.
Always store in a climate controlled environment.
If you must store it without racking or packaging, stand your art from largest to smallest placing cardboard between each piece.
Make sure you place your art on a flat surface evenly leaning against another to avoid changing the shape of your canvas.
Avoid direct sunlight.

What does Blog mean exactly?

Blog comes from the words Web Log or keeping an online diary.

North York Self Storage Location

                                                             150 Bermondsey Rd
                                                                  416-751-7867

Guelph Self Storage Location

                                                                 595 Elmira Rd
                                                                 519-822-7867

Interesting Happenings at the Storage Facility

Sometimes people ask us: What interesting things do people ask to store?
Well.......One time a client was very persistent in wanting electrical lines and phone lines installed in their unit. After some discussion, we found out that he wanted to move into his unit.
Unfortunately we cannot allow anyone to live in their storage locker. The safety of everyone is compromised if we were to allow that.
We were flattered however that someone would feel comfortable enough to want to make our storage facility their home.

I Love Painters Tape!

Painters tape is a wonderful item to keep in your home. Unlike duct tape, (which also has many uses), painters tape is less adhesive and peels off much more easily. Using it to wrap objects with plastic wrap or bubble wrap will make it easier for the tape to be removed, therefore, saving the wrap for another use when you are done.

Richmond Hill Self Storage Location

                                                                  25 Newkirk Rd
                                                                   905-508-9966

Appliance Maintenance

To save the life of your dryer unplug it and remove the lint screen once a month. Wash it with soap and water and allow to dry. Lint screens accumulate a clear film from dryer sheets and fabric softener making it harder for it to do its job. Next, vacuum inside the lint trap with the long attachment used for tight spaces. When the screen isn't functioning properly lint collects deep inside the trap and can clog up the external exhaust hose (check that as well) and make your dryer work harder than it has to. Wipe down your dryer inside and out and you're done.

Organizing your items in Storage

Why not take pictures of your items as you are preparing to store them. Then, download your pics onto a disc. This allows you to see what you have put away and also makes it easier if you decide to sell an item. Simply copy one of the pictures, download it onto your email and send it to the prospective buyer. This will save you time in the long run from going back and forth to your unit.

Extend the life of your dryer with just a few easy steps

To save the life of your dryer unplug it and remove the lint screen once a month. Wash it with soap and water and allow to dry. Lint screens accumulate a clear film from dryer sheets and fabric softener making it harder for it to do its job. Next, vacuum inside the lint trap with the long attachment used for tight spaces. When the screen isn't functioning properly lint collects deep inside the trap and can clog up the external exhaust hose (check that as well) and make your dryer work harder than it has to. Wipe down your dryer inside and out and you're done.

Vinegar, the wonder cleaner!

Salt stains - use equal parts vinegar & water. Rub salt stains gently with a clean cloth dipped into the vinegar mixture.
Floor cleaner - add 1/2 cup of vinegar to your bucket of warm water, this mixture can also be used to clean windows.
Clean the dishwasher - Add a cup of vinegar to an empty dishwasher cycle once a month to reduce build up.
Coffee & Tea pot stains and build up - Add 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. Boil the Teapot & Run the coffee brew. Followed by 2 straight water brews.

Look after your cloth items before storing them

When putting your cloth items away for storage. Prepare a little satchel of goodies and whether you open up your box in 2 weeks or 2 years, everything will be nice and fresh.
Never use mothballs in a closed space like a box or container. The chemical that they are made of is a fumigant called naphthalene. The smell that is left on your clothes or blankets after storage is not always possible to remove. Why not try using a bag filled with lavender, cloves and cedar. Organic items like these are just as beneficial as moth balls, but are better for you and the environment.

Etobicoke Self Storage Location

55 Kelfield St

416-241-7867

Who uses Self Storage anyway?

There are many types of people that use Selfstor. Which one are you?

• Grandparents downsizing and saving special items to pass down.
• People needing space for holiday decorations, sports equipment, extra tires etc..
• The sportscar enthusiast putting away their baby for the winter.
• Lawyers, Architects, Designers, Doctors etc..making room for all of those files that need saving but not accessed very often.
• Sales reps storing their supplies.
• Students using a unit during the summer months while they aren't in school.
• Landscapers storing snowblowing & lawn maintenance equipment in the off months.
• Military personelle being stationed outside the country or people being transferred for work.
• Retail, Antique and Art dealers storing excess merchandise until space becomes available on the showroom floor.
• New parents needing extra space for the crib, highchair, playpen and all the other
  paraphernalia that comes with a baby.
• Party Planners & Caterers storing entertaining and cooking accessories.
• Rock bands and D.J's needing a place for all the sound equipment and instruments.
• Tradespeople fill up their units with saws, tools, generators, wiring etc..
• There are many types of people and many different reasons why people choose to use a Self Storage facility. Which one best describes you?

Moving Tips Timetable

Here is a general moving timetable to make your moving day less stressful.

Moving Tips Timetable

Four to Six weeks before your move:

• Obtain estimates from moving companies.
• Notify vehicle registration, licensing and Insurance companies.
• Contact the utility companies to disconnect and reconnect services the day of your move-
• (hydro, water, gas, telephone,cable/internet).
• Telephone doctors, dentists, vets & etc.. to give your new address.
• Notify your bank to have cheques and files changed over.
• Obtain a "change of address form" from your post office.
• Transfer any club memberships to your new address.
• Cancel any service contracts (pool/lawn maintenance, snow removal)
• Put together a file box with all of your moving information.

Two to Four weeks before your move:

• Settle any outstanding accounts.
• Purchase moving boxes and newsprint paper/bubble wrap for packing.
• Notify your cell phone provider of address change.
• Pack a box of items you will need to have immediately when you are in your new home-
• (toilet paper, light bulbs, flashlight, cleaning supplies, snacks, drinks, garbage bag).

One Week before your move:

• Arrange for a sitter for your children and or pets for moving day.
• Pack a bag of fresh nightclothes and next day clothes.
• Verify any move-in procedures and documents with your new landlord.
• Call charities for the pick-up of unwanted clothing.
• Double check the timing of your movers.
• Call your storage facility and reserve the elevator.

Your storage associates are fully qualified and can be an enormous amount of help to you,

so don't hesitate to call them for information on supplies or any other requirements.