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How to Prepare Your Car for Long Term Storage: 8 Tips You Should Know
There is quite a difference between not using your car for a couple of days and not using it for six months. Understanding how to prepare your car for long-term storage by following simple maintenance and service is integral in keeping your vehicle in top condition. Here are eight tips for preparing your vehicle for long-term storage.

Check Your Paperwork

Renew your registration beforehand if it is set to expire while your vehicle is in storage, or set a reminder to do so when it is due. Additionally, contact your insurance company to inform them that you will be storing your car and confirm that your car is fully covered by your existing insurance policy.

Service Your Car

It is important that your engine and fluids are in good shape before you store your vehicle for a long period. Otherwise, your car might not start when you are ready to use it again.
- Change or top off fluids, which may contain sediments, as appropriate. This includes oil (synthetic oil breaks down more slowly over time, which makes it a preferred option for storage), coolant, transmission fluid and brake fluid.
- Empty out windshield washer fluid in regions susceptible to freezing to protect spray hoses from freeze-thaw cracks.
- Fill your car with gasoline, as it leaves less airspace for moist air to enter the engine and form condensation (or ice), and add a fuel stabilizer, available at any hardware/parts store.
- Check belts, filters, hoses and other components of your engine. Ensure that all are in working order and clean.
Lubricate the Car

Oil the hinges of the hood, doors and trunk. Use a graphite-based lubricant for locks. Coat rubber parts of the doors and tires with silicone or white lithium grease. This will help prevent them from freezing shut.

Clean the Interior

Throw away any trash. Vacuum seats and floor mats to prevent damage. Do not use chemical protectant (i.e. Armor All) on leather, vinyl and other fabrics as it may stain or cause excessive chemical damage to surfaces. Wash the inside of your windows. Getting the interior of your car in shape before storing it will prevent smells and potential damage from the sun or heat, if you are not storing your vehicle in a storage unit.

Care for the Exterior

Wash, buff, and wax your car. Have the vehicle detailed, if possible. Make sure to clean the underside of your car – anything stuck to the bottom of the car acts like a sponge, trapping moisture that could lead to the creation of rust. Remove wiper blades or lift them up so they do not become deformed or flat. Ensure all leaves, pine needles and any other debris have been removed from the engine compartment and the windshield wiper cowl.

Ensure that the Battery is Fully Charged

Electronics can quickly drain the power of your battery, so make sure it is charged before you store your vehicle. You can also consider using a trickle charger. Disconnect your battery if you are storing your vehicle for more than 6 months and take the disconnected battery someplace temperate and dry.

Deflate Your Tires

Deflate your tires to 10psi less than the manufacturer’s recommendation and place the vehicle on jack stands if you are storing your vehicle for more than 6 months. This allows the rubber to relax and prevents cracking while allowing you to still drive on them when you remove the vehicle from storage. There are accounts of “flat spots” if a vehicle is stored on the ground, but newer tires are engineered to prevent this and any flat spots will be worked out while driving within 160 km or so.

Cover Your Vehicle

Vehicle covers protect your car from sun damage, dust and minor dings. Try to find a vehicle cover designed for long-term storage – these will not trap moisture, but they will allow your vehicle to breathe.
If you have any questions about car storage, please contact U-Lock Mini Storage and our staff will be delighted to answer any questions you have!
September 18, 2021
How to Add Storage Space to Your Garage – Part 1
Adding storage space to a garage is a great way to organize and free up some room in your garage.

Before you begin adding anything new to your garage, you will first need to organize it by sorting your things and drafting a floor plan. Once your garage is organized, you can build some shelving and install other vertical organization systems. You can also clear some space by hanging things from the ceiling or placing them in cabinets and plastic bins.

1. Sort Your Things

Go through the things in your garage and organize them according to function or utility. As you sort, you should also create three other piles for things that you want to recycle, throw away or donate. Once you have sorted everything and removed the things you want to get rid of, you should have a better idea of what your needs are going to be. If there are some items you want to keep but you do not have enough space at home to keep them, rent a storage unit to keep your items safe and sound.

Be sure to responsibly dispose of any chemicals or other hazardous materials in your garage. Do not simply throw them in the trash or pour them into the drain. Contact your local hazardous waste site about disposing of these substances.

2. Group Similar Things Together

When sorting the things in your garage, determine what items will be stored together. Keeping similar things in groups will make it easier for you to find them later. It will also help you determine what kind of storage system to invest in.

For example, put all of your gardening supplies in one group and your sports gear in another.

3. Draft a Floor Plan

Once you sort everything, make a floor plan of your garage. With a tape measure, register the measurements of the garage, paying particular attention to the windows, doors and any utilities. You should also figure out how much space you will need for your car. After you have all your measurements, plot out the dimensions of your garage on grid paper and highlight the areas where you can store things.

4. Determine Where You Want to Place Things

Using your floor plan, consider the types of storage space you will want to add and the space requirements of each item. Some shelving and vertical storage space systems will allow you to maximize your wall space without giving up too much floor room. Things like plastic bins and cabinets will take up more space, but they are useful for storing things in the long term.
- Remember to keep garden tools, bikes, and other frequently used outdoor gear near the garage door.
- Make sure that the trash and recycling bins are easily accessible from the door to the house.
- Keep your seasonal items in the hardest-to-reach places, like the top of a shelf.
September 12, 2021
Lawn Mower Storage for the Winter: 7 Tips You Need To Know
When storing a lawn mower for the autumn or winter, there are different types of solutions. Some people rent a storage unit or store their lawn mowers in their garage, while others leave their mowers outside in the snow and hope for the best. The most vital thing you can do when storing a lawn mower is tend to the fuel system. Taking this step will significantly reduce the chance of having problems come the warm season.

No one wants to have to tinker with a broken mower or buy a new one at the start of every season. It is worth it to prepare your lawn mower for the winter like you would with a car or boat, especially if you have an expensive riding mower.

Take the following steps to store your lawn mower to maintain and increase the lifespan of your equipment. Make sure you take all the proper precautions when winterizing your mower.

1. Drain Gas or Add a Fuel Stabilizer

There are two methods for lawn mower storage when it comes to gasoline. You can either leave the gas in the tank and stabilize it, or remove it completely. It is never a good idea to just leave fuel in the tank without any intervention, as it can start to degrade in a month or two and wreak havoc on the carburetor and fuel tank.

Option 1: Remove Gas from a Lawn Mower

In certain situations, it is best to remove all the gas from a lawn mower when storing it for the winter. If you are keeping your lawn mower in your basement or inside a storage unit, remove all fuel; otherwise, it can become a fire hazard.

To drain gas from a lawn mower, do your best to let the tank run dry toward the end of the season. To achieve this, run the mower until it stops and will not restart again. Any remaining fuel can be siphoned out with a turkey baster.

Option 2: Add Fuel Stabilizer to a Lawn Mower

If you are storing the lawn mower in a detached garage or shed, leave a full tank of gas and top it off with a fuel stabilizer. Once the stabilizer is added, run the mower for a couple minutes to make sure the stabilizer gets into the system.

2. Prevent Mower From Kick-Starting

Before you clean your lawn mower and prep it for storage, make sure you remove the spark plug. This will prevent the mower from being turned on accidentally; the importance of this step cannot be stressed enough.

3. Drain or Change Oil

Change a lawn mower’s oil at the end of every season. The first step is to figure out if you have a two-cylinder or a four-cylinder lawn mower. Two-cylinder motors have the oil and fuel in the same tank, in which case you can drain the oil along with the fuel. With four-cylinder motors, the oil will need to be changed similarly to how you would do so on a car. Reference the lawn mower’s owner manual for specific instructions on how best to do this.

In general, you can follow these steps on most four-cylinder mowers:
- Check the level of the oil by removing the dipstick
- Make sure the oil is warm; if it is not, you can warm it up by running the mower after adding fuel stabilizer or when draining the tank. If you waited for this step and the engine is cold, connect the spark plug temporarily and run the mower for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the spark plug again if you had to use it to warm up the engine. If your mower has a battery, disconnect it.
- Pull the oil plug and drain the oil into an oil-safe drain pan.
- Properly dispose of used oil by bringing it to a recycling facility that can properly dispose of it.
- Add new oil to the tank according to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
- Lawn Mower Storage Pro Tip: If you have inconveniently positioned drain plugs, consider purchasing an oil extractor to help with this process.
4. Clean Deck and Undercarriage

A garden hose or a pressure washer on a low setting will work well to clean the lawn mower deck. In theory, grass should be cleaned off after every mow. However, if bits of grass have dried and crusted onto the metal, make sure to remove it before storage. If necessary, take a wire brush, putty knife or a flat head screwdriver to scrape off anything that the hose could not clean.

Be careful with the mower blades and make sure to wear thick, durable gloves during this process. Once the undercarriage is clean and dry, use a silicone spray to prevent future build-up and better preserve the lawn mower.

5. Remove and Sharpen Blade

To remove the blade, lean your mower on its side with the carburetor facing up. Find a long-handled wrench that matches the bolt holding the blade in place. If the bolt is stuck in place and corroded, spray on some oil or lubricant and let it sit for a few minutes.

Once removed, sharpen each blade evenly. You do not want to make the mistake of sharpening only one section because this could lead to an uneven lawn. To sharpen, clamp the blade in a vise and use a mill bastard file to file down the blade until it is as sharp as a butter knife.

6. Replace Spark Plug and Air Filter

At this point, the spark plug should already be disconnected. Use a wrench or pliers to completely remove the plug. Take the plug with you to the store to make sure you purchase the correct replacement. Next, screw in the new plug and either reconnect the wire or leave it disconnected for storage.

Before storing a lawn mower for the winter, you will want to either clean or replace the air filter. Some lawn mower filters are made of paper and should always be replaced when they look dirty. Other foam or plastic filters can be cleaned, dried, and then coated with a few tablespoons of oil before being reinstalled. Finally, use a spray lubricant to coat any exposed lawn mower components.

7. Rent a Storage Unit

One of the best ways to keep a lawn mower in good shape is renting a storage unit and storing it when not in use. Stowing a lawn mower in a storage unit ensures that your lawn mower is kept in a secure and clean space from which you can retrieve it whenever you need it!
September 6, 2021
Renting a Storage Unit? 6 Things You Should Consider
There are different reasons why you would need a long term storage unit to store your belongings. You could be moving abroad or you might need extra space to store seasonal items around your home, such as skis or bicycles. You may also need extra space for larger items such as your car, boat or RV.

Whatever your reason is, choosing to rent a storage unit to safely store and protect your belongings is a good decision. To help you select a store unit that best suits your needs, we have listed six factors to consider and evaluate before renting a storage unit.

The Amount and Types of Items You Want to Store

What items are you planning to store? How many items do you want to store in a storage unit? Answering these questions is critical in selecting a storage unit that fits your needs.

If you only have a few small items to store, you can go with a more compact storage unit size such as the 5 x 5 feet which is approximately the same size as a regular closet. This storage unit size is suitable for holding items such as personal items, clothes, boxes, skis, children’s toys, small furniture items, business records and sales rep materials. If you are looking for something bigger, go with the 5 x 15 feet, which is equivalent to a large closet. This storage unit holds items such as small amounts of furniture, sofas, chairs, chest of drawers, boxspring and mattress, business supplies and records, plus other small items and boxes.

Safety and Security Features

A storage facility should have robust security and safety measures in place to ensure the protection of your belongings. At U-Lock Mini Storage, all of our self-storage facilities are fully fenced and gated: both exceptional measures to prevent burglary or theft of any sort.

In addition to a fully fenced with gated facility, we have installed individual alarms for most of our storage facilities. The alarm is triggered when a burglar attempts to forcefully and illicitly enter a storage unit; our security and local law enforcement will be notified of the attempted break-in and attend the respective facility to remedy the issue. We have also installed 4-hour video recording with HD video to monitor and address any suspicious activities 24 hours a day and document all activities near our facilities with our HD video surveillance system.

This surveillance system further strengthens the security of our facilities and prevents malicious activities from occurring.

Monthly Payment Plan

Determine whether the storage facility requires annual payment or offers a flexible month-to-month payment option. We offer a month-to-month payment option with no long term contract so you are not committed to our storage facility: you have the autonomy to rent a storage unit for as long as you need it. Additionally, we do not require a deposit.

Hours of Operation

What are the storage facility’s opening hours? Is the storage facility open during hours that work for you and your busy schedule? These are important questions to answer before renting a storage unit at a storage facility. If the storage facility’s hours of operation do not meet your schedule, renting a storage unit at the storage facility would be incredibly inconvenient for you.

To learn about our hours of operation, contact our storage facility and our team members will be more than happy to provide this information!
The Location of the Facility and Proximity to Your Home

As you begin looking at storage facilities in an area, carefully consider each one’s location and proximity to your home. How important is it to you that the storage unit is located near your house? Are you willing to travel farther for a better or less expensive storage facility?

While the location of a storage unit may not be an important factor when storing items for a short period of time, it is important when storing belongings long-term. This is particularly true if you plan to travel back and forth between the storage unit and your home to retrieve items regularly.

U-Lock Mini Storage has six facilities in BC. Three in Greater Vancouver and three on Vancouver Island. Check out the storage facility nearest to you!
The Storage Facility’s Google Reviews and Ratings

Have you checked the storage facility’s Google reviews and ratings? These reviews and ratings are excellent indicators of the storage facility’s quality.

At U-Lock Mini Storage, we pride ourselves in delivering exceptional storage solutions and customer service to our customers and our Google reviews and ratings reflect the unmatched service.

For example, our U-Lock Mini Storage Burnaby location has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 from 215 Google reviews. The Victoria storage facility also has a 4.8/5 rating from 151 Google reviews.

Questions? Feel free to call us at 1.866.647.8673 or submit a contact form at https://www.selfstorage.ca/contact-us and our staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have!

Want to reserve a unit at a storage unit rental facility near you? Check out our self storage facilities:
August 31, 2021
Downsizing? Use these Storage Solutions!

Although downsizing means living a more simplified life, the actual process of moving to a smaller home can be quite cumbersome and complex. This process often involves a good deal of preparation: from deciding what to bring and what to toss to planning out the actual move itself, downsizing to a smaller home involves a variety of factors you have to take into consideration when planning it out.

Here are 7 easy tips for storing your belongings when moving to a smaller home.

Use Wall Racks Behind Doors

From your pantries and closets to your bedrooms and bathrooms, you can create extra space in your home by using behind-the-door storage. Installing hanging wall racks behind doors will prevent clutter in your closets, pantries and drawers. Additionally, hanging wall racks will make it much easier to find your spices, sauces, and cleaning supplies when you need them. Many hanging wall racks even come with adjustable shelves, which you can add and remove as needed.

Shelving Above Toilets

You can also use wall racks in your washrooms. Nothing’s worse than a tiny bathroom overrun with towels on the floor and toiletries under the vanity. To keep your bathroom and powder rooms clutter-free, you can shelve above the toilets. If you are renting and thus unable to install free-floating shelves on the walls, try using a stand-alone shelf unit that fits over the toilet. This extra storage frees up floor space in the bathroom, as well as shelf space inside your vanity.

Use Storage Beds

Do not waste precious bedroom space with armoires and dressers. Instead, use a storage bed when downsizing to smaller rooms. Storage beds typically come with four or more drawers below the mattress and attached to the bed frame. This feature allows you to store clothes and necessities under the bed instead of inside a bulky, space-hogging chest of drawers. This is a perfect way to utilize and maximize space in your bedroom.

Use Bins and Baskets

Storing belongings inside bins and baskets is one of the most affordable and most aesthetically pleasing ways to save space when downsizing. They can be placed almost anywhere, including entryways, kitchens, closets, bedrooms, bathrooms and pantries. Decorative bins and baskets are easy to come by and help make the home both stylish and organized. When using bins or baskets, we recommend adding labels to them as well. You can find an example of bins and baskets here.

Use Hanging Bike Racks

If you own a bike, then you know that they take up quite a bit of room. To save space, you can go vertical with your bicycle. Whether you store your bike inside the home or in the garage, you will benefit from using a hanging bike rack to hold your bicycle upright. From simple wall mounts to free standing bike racks, there are plenty of ways to hang the bike rack in your home and, consequently, open up floor space for other items.

Use Drawer Organizers

One easy way to help contain the mess in your various drawers is to simply add drawer organizers. These will save you space by allowing you to more easily and efficiently store everything from makeup and toiletries to office supplies and kitchen utensils inside your drawers. These organizational trays can be used in kitchens, pantries, bathroom vanities and desks.

Rent a Storage Unit

Renting a storage unit is a fantastic way to create more space in your new home. You can store belongings such as old CDs or clothes in the storage unit and retrieve your items when you need them.
If you have only a few items to store, you can rent a 5 x 5 feet storage unit, which is roughly the same size as a regular closet. This storage unit size is ideal for storing personal items, clothes, boxes, skis, children’s toys, small furniture items and some documents. If you have a few more items to store, you can go with a 5 x 10 feet storage unit. This storage unit is approximately the same size as a walk-in closet and it is perfect for holding a few pieces of furniture, sofas, chairs, a chest of drawers, box spring and mattress, business supplies and records, plus other small items and boxes.

August 5, 2021
Sharing is not always Caring: Why You Shouldn’t Shared Storage Units
While growing up did your parents constantly remind you that “sharing is caring”. For the most part that is absolutely the case. But for a storage unit, that might not be the right answer. Sharing a storage unit can save you money, however, there are various problems with sharing a storage unit with others. Here are the top four reasons why you shouldn’t share a storage unit.

Security

When you sign up for a storage locker there is only ONE person who has signing authority.

That person can grant access to whomever they see fit. If you have your belongings in there and you are not the signing authority, there is a possibility of people you aren’t comfortable with accessing your space.

Organization

Isn’t it annoying when you can’t find what you are looking for? Now imagine looking when your stuff is mixed in with someone else’s. Having your stuff together may make it more difficult to locate the item you are looking for, and things might get mixed up when you eventually vacate the locker.

Convenience

Lost your key? Want to transfer to a different unit? Only the person with signing authority can request a lock cut, or transfer units. If they are not available, then you will have to wait until they are.

What if?

What happens if you have a falling out with your locker partner, and you are not the one with signing authority?

Whoever’s name is on the lease can change locks and deny entry to anyone. Without their OK there is nothing storage staff can do to ensure your belongings are returned to you.

If you have any questions about booking a storage unit in one of our mini storage facilities, please get in touch and one of our team members will be more than happy to help!

Our self storage facilities are:
August 2, 2021
Storage Unit 101: 5 Tips for Storing Your Belongings

A storage unit is perfect for storing items that you do not need around your home. You can store items such as old clothes, CDs, furniture, bicycles and many more!

Whether you are storing your belongings for a long or short term, it is vital for you to properly organize your belongings in the storage unit so you can easily find and retrieve the items down the road.

To help you organize your items in a storage unit efficiently, we have come up with seven tips you can use:

Create a List of All Inventory

When placing a lot of items in storage, it is difficult to remember all of them. While large furniture pieces such as a bed or sofa are easy to remember, smaller items such as artwork, pictures, electronics and clothes are oftentimes forgotten after months in storage. To keep everything organized, you can create and maintain a list of all items stored inside the unit.

As you begin the packing process, we recommend registering each item in a spreadsheet. Taking photos of stored items is also a great way to keep up with what is in your storage unit. Be sure to save all photos and inventory descriptions in one place. It is also a good idea to create some sort of map that indicates where your belongings are located within the unit.

Disassemble Furniture and Store Items Upright

To maximize space and organize more efficiently, disassemble large furniture items prior to placing them in storage. This includes taking apart headboards, bed frames and mattresses, as well as disassembling table legs, among other items. We recommend storing individual items in a vertical position towards the back of a storage unit (except for mattresses, which should be stored lying flat). By storing furniture, such as headboards, upright and on the side, you will open up more floor space for other items.

Store Large, Heavy Items on the Bottom Towards the Back

As you begin packing items inside the storage unit, start with large, heavy belongings such as furniture and heavy boxes. Place them towards the back of the storage unit at the bottom. Remember that heavy items should always be stored at the bottom of the storage unit to create a stable base for lighter items.

Place Items You Need More Frequently Towards the Front

Chances are, there are some items you plan on using more frequently than others. For instance, that extra bed you no longer have room for likely will not see the light of day for a while – whereas your baby’s pack ‘n’ play will.

Other items that you are sure to need more often include seasonal clothing such as heavy coats, boots, hats, flip flops and swimsuits. While you will not need these items every day, you will be making trips to the storage unit to retrieve them at least once a year. These types of belongings should be placed towards the front of your storage unit in well-labeled boxes or bins. Placing them in an easy-to-reach spot near the door will save you the trouble of having to dig through mountains of boxes every time you go to the storage unit.

Stack Vertically

When packing and organizing your storage unit, you should go vertical with your belongings. Boxes should be stacked high and furniture should be stored upright. If you happen to be storing bookcases or anything with shelving, take advantage of the extra storage space.

To make room for smaller boxes and belongings, consider adding wire shelving or hanging shelves in the storage unit. If the storage unit is particularly high, you may want to consider keeping a foldable ladder or step stool inside the unit with your belongings.

Label Everything

It is incredibly important to label every box and bin inside a storage unit. You may think you will remember where you put those family photo albums – but trust us – you will not especially if they have been sitting in storage for a long period of time. Label every box clearly with either a permanent marker or printed labels. Make sure the labeled part of the box is facing the front of the storage unit, so you can see it upon entering.

July 20, 2021
5 Tips for Staging Your Home for Sale

Staging your home properly is integral to increasing your chance of successfully selling your home. While it may seem easy to stage your home, this task can be tedious and time-consuming – especially if you are occupied with other priorities.

To help you efficiently stage and beautify your home for sale, we have come up with five tips you can use:

Rent a Storage Unit

Renting a storage unit is perfect for decluttering and staging your home. You can store belongings such as bicycles or furniture in a storage unit during the staging or home sale process, and retrieve these items when you move to a new home. You can also store these items for a long term if you do not plan on using them in the next little while.

If you have quite a few larger items to store, you can go with the 10 by 10 feet storage unit. This storage unit will hold the contents of a one-bedroom apartment with major appliances, other furniture and supplies. If this storage unit size does not suffice for your needs, you can upgrade to a 10 by 15 feet unit. This larger storage unit holds the contents of a two-bedroom apartment or house, including appliances, boxes, miscellaneous items and commercial storage inventory.

Organize the Front of the House

You always want to make sure that the outside of your home is appealing. Pay close attention to any extra items that may be outside your home. If you have gardening supplies such as rakes, sprinklers and hoses lying around, pick them up and put them in the back of the house, making sure that they are stored neatly.

If you have trash cans that are visible from the street, you may want to take them around back. If someone comes over to look at your home and sees these things, the added clutter can easily spoil that important first impression for them.

Host a Garage Sale

If you have lots of items that you do not want to bring to your new home after you have sold your current home, you can host a garage sale to get rid of some of your belongings. Old bikes or clothes are excellent items you can put on sale during a garage sale.

Donate Items

In addition to hosting a garage sale, you can also donate items to declutter your home. Look on your shelves, under bathroom sinks, in cabinets and go through the decorations in the rooms of your home. Get rid of what you are not going to be using in the next few months and things that do not add visual appeal to the space. There is a good chance that you have many things that you have not used for years. If this is the case, you can donate them to those in need!

Hire a Professional Cleaner

If you have found that you do not have time to keep up on your housework and still live a normal lifestyle, you might consider hiring someone to come into your home once a week to do some cleaning for you. You might be surprised at how affordable it is! You can find a list of home cleaners nearby you by performing a quick Google search.

Hire a Home Staging Professional

Aside from hiring a professional cleaner, you can hire a home staging professional to help you declutter and stage your home. The home staging professional can take care of all the tasks related to removing unwanted items and creating extra space in your home!

July 19, 2021
8 Storage Tips for Organizing Your Closet
If you are like most people, your closet is one of the last areas to get the attention it deserves when it comes to home organization. To determine whether it is time for you to organize or clean your closet, here are three major indicators that your closet needs an intervention:
- You find it easier to buy a new thing than looking in the closet for the existing version.
- You are collecting piles of items around the house that theoretically belong in the closet, but there is just no room anymore.
- You are using external wardrobes or clothing racks as a closet addition, or worse, a total replacement.
If this sounds familiar, you probably have a closet crisis on your hands. You may have spent months or years avoiding the issue, but, as you have discovered, it only gets worse over time!

To restore a healthy relationship with this all-important storage space, you will need an advanced approach to closet maintenance. This means decluttering, moving things around and, more importantly, optimizing the way you use the space. To help rehabilitate your closet, here are eight easy and affordable hacks you can use!

1. Organizer Baskets

These come in all sizes, shapes and colours, so you are bound to find baskets that match your taste and fit nicely onto your shelves. If you get sturdy ones, you can stack them up like boxes.

2. Towel Bars and Hooks

Although you normally would not need towel bars and hooks in a closet space, a towel bar is a great way to store scarves and neckties without wasting a hanger. You can use durable coat hooks to hang bags, head gear and belts on the back of the closet door.

3. Extra Hanger Bar

An additional hanger bar that hangs from the original one increases the available space. An extra hanger bar is a handy extension for shorter items like shirts, folded pants or skirts.

4. Additional Shelving

If you have the room, mount an extra shelf or two above the hanger bar, or on the sides of the closet. Additional shelving provides a good space to keep items neatly stored out of the way and off the floor.

5. Shelf Dividers

Get these to create unique storage spaces on your closet shelf. Shelf dividers help you separate items and keep piles neatly stacked, without spilling or collapsing.

6. Hanging Organizers

Made from cloth or plastic, a hanging organizer can be suspended from the hanger bar. It will automatically give plenty of new cubbyholes to stash items you do not want to hang, like sweaters, jeans or extra household linens.

7. Transparent Containers

When your organizer containers are transparent, it just makes it that much easier to find what you want at a glance. You can safely eliminate the hassle of opening each one and digging through them to find things.

8. Rent a Storage Unit

Virtually every closet contains seasonal or seldom-used items that you really do not need in the house all year round.
One of the best ways to keep a closet neat and organized is to make enough room for the stuff you only use on a regular basis. You can put the rest of your items away offsite in a storage unit. You can rent a 5 by 5 feet storage unit, which is equivalent to a regular closet. This storage unit size can hold personal items, clothes, boxes, skis, children’s toys, small furniture items, business records and sales rep materials, for example. If you want something bigger, you can go with a 5 by 10 feet storage unit, which is equivalent to a walk-in closet. This storage unit holds items such as small amounts of furniture, sofas, chairs, chest of drawers, boxspring and mattress, business supplies and records, plus other small items and boxes.
July 6, 2021
11 Summer Cleaning Tips You Can Use for Your Home!

1. Clean Sweep

Stock front porches, decks, and patios with inexpensive brooms that can be quickly grabbed and used for all sorts of cleaning chores. You can use them to brush spider webs from windows, screens, railings, porch ceilings, mailboxes, window boxes and foundation plantings. Sweep porch and deck floors daily to remove debris deposited by wind, rain, incoming traffic and critters.

2. Rent a Storage Unit

Renting a storage unit lets you store your belongings in a safe, secure area while freeing up more room in your home! At U-Lock Mini Storage, we offer a variety of storage unit sizes for you to choose from. You can rent a storage unit that is as big as a walk-in closet or as large as a garage – you can select a storage unit size that best fits your needs!

3. Clean Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets, which are opened and closed frequently, often by messy hands, can get grimy and sticky if not properly cared for.

Dip a cloth into a solution of 1/4 cup of Murphy’s Oil Soap and a gallon of warm water. Wring the cloth and wipe cabinet fronts, paying special attention to areas around the knobs or pulls. Dry with a clean cloth.

3. Perk Up Patio Furniture

Refresh patio furniture for the summer with a thorough cleaning. Start by rinsing the furniture with a garden hose fitted with a spray nozzle. Gently scrub using a soft cloth and a cleaning product designed for the material (such as a glass cleaner or oil soap for wood), or use a solution of mild dishwashing liquid and water. Avoid using bleach, which can damage patio furniture and nearby plantings. Rinse and let air-dry.

4. Prevent Mold in the Bathroom

First, clean the shower while you are showering, using a Mr. Clean Eraser sponge and a squeegee. Swish a brush around the toilet bowl daily; use a pumice stone to remove rings and stains. For mirrors, use a finely woven microfiber cloth, which will not leave streaks or lint, and then use another cloth sprayed with vinegar to wipe down your countertops. You can clean sinks with an eraser sponge, and then shine sink hardware, such as faucets, with a microfiber cloth. Wipe floors with a damp towel or mop. And, since it is summer, hang wet bath mats and damp towels outside to quick-dry in the sun.

5. Gutter Cleaning

To clean gutters efficiently and safely, equip your lawn blower or hose with a gutter-cleaning attachment so you can blow out debris while your feet are firmly planted on the ground. If you are using a hose, wear rain gear because you are going to get wet.

Step on a ladder and use a four-prong garden tool in a plowing motion to push leaves out of gutters. Wear latex gloves under work gloves to keep your hands dry and protected from odors. Finally, use a hose with a spray nozzle to flush all remaining dirt from the gutters and to clear downspouts of debris.

6. Ensure ool Air Flows Freely

Have a heating-and-cooling expert check and clean your air-conditioning system before temperatures rise to peak summer levels. A professional will make certain your system is in good enough shape to keep you and yours cool throughout the summer. To make sure your air-conditioning operates well, you can also use your vacuum cleaner and a blower attachment to blow out hard-to-reach dirt. Try using a dusting brush and a vacuum to remove caked-on grime and use your vacuum to clear all interior heating vents of dust and dirt. Wash removable filters with hydrogen peroxide and let them dry before putting them back, or replace an old filter with a new one.

7. Tidy the Garage

With patio and deck furniture, summertime playthings and grilling gear moved outside for the summer, your garage might need a refresh. Throw out or donate unwanted tools, building materials, and other items you no longer use. Wash windows and give the floor, walls and ceiling a good sweeping. Put up racks and shelves to stow practical and recreational trappings.

8. Clean Concrete Patios

Use a push broom or a leaf blower to remove all debris from your patio. You can rent or borrow a pressure washer to give concrete a thorough cleaning. For hard-to-remove stains, pour straight white vinegar on stains and scrub with a stiff brush.

9. Refresh Towels

Towels stored in a closet or left to dry in the bathroom can take on a musty smell during the hot, humid days of summer. For an easy summer cleaning tip, wash towels in hot water and toss 1/2 cup of baking soda into the rinse cycle to eradicate stale scents. Dry the towels at the highest heat recommended for the fabric.

10. Clear Cracks of Mold

Keep outdoor surfaces mold-free. Findley recommends using a scraper to loosen mold in sidewalk, patio, and driveway cracks and sweep away the debris. Then, directly apply vinegar via a garden sprayer to the cracks to kill remaining mold spores. Repeat a few times a year to prevent new mold from growing.

June 20, 2021