• Storage Units
  • 24 Hour Security
  • Boat / RV / Auto Storage
  • Boxes, Locks & Supplies

Packing Tips

Ottawa Storage Moving Checklist

Monday, March 4th, 2013

moving Ottawa Self Storage Ottawa Storage Moving Checklist

Ottawa Storage Moving Checklist – click here for a downloadable copy

Moving is one of the most common reasons that people choose self storage. Moving can be frustrating without the planning and preparation. Use the below checklist to help to keep you organized for your move, and keep your move as efficient as possible.

Four Weeks before Moving:

  • Arrange moving trucks and or movers
  • Create a plan for the new location on where items will be going to help with labeling boxes to be packed. Define rooms, and any other details that may help with labeling
  • Start to clean out closets, the garage and attic and structure items that can be packed without being missed and get them packed as soon as possible
  • Identify items that are no longer required and donate, organize a garage sale, or dispose
  • Recycle electronics that you won’t be moving
  • Purchase packing supplies – make sure that you have enough packing material to help to organize and speed packing. See the blog post Packing Tips For Your Move for help with packing
  • Send change of address forms, and organize mail redirection with the Post Office
  • Arrange insurance for the new location, and schedule or cancel existing insurance a few days after the move, just in case the move takes longer than expected
  • Obtain copies of school and medical records
  • Get a self storage unit from Gladwin Self Storage! With a storage unit you can start to stage you move in advance, and move items to start to declutter, as well as have a place for items that are for the new location
  • Secure the elevator if required for the day of the move
  • Arrange to transfer school records
  • Notify the below of the date and change of address:

Magazine / newspaper subscriptions
Utilities
Bank
Cable / Internet / Telephone
Credit card providers
Clubs and organizations
Gym
Alarm
Cleaners
Lawn / Snow maintenance

  • Order new services and subscriptions for the new address
  • Let your neighbors know of the move – they may want to provide some welcome help!

Two Weeks Before Moving:

  • Return library books
  • Return borrowed items and rented items, and round up items lent out
  • Make arrangements for the safe disposal of items you won’t be moving, including old medications, paints or other hazardous materials

Seven Days Before Moving:

  • Make arrangements for child and pet care for moving day
  • Finish packing everything other than the necessities. Be sure to keep available:

Cleaning supplies for final clean
Moving snacks / food
Beverages
Medication
Necessary pet items
Children’s entertainment

  • Empty and defrost fridge and freezer
  • Arrange sitters for children / pets
  • Reconfirm access timeline for the new address

The Day before Moving Day:

  • Pick up food, beverages or other supplies for moving day
  • Clean the fridge, stove, washer, dryer, microwave and bbq
  • Reconfirm sitters, movers / moving truck and moving help

Moving Day:

  • Have on hand anything that will keep your moving help inspired! With Ottawa weather that may mean cold or hot beverages.

Water
Pop
Coffee
Hot chocolate
Beer
Food / snacks …and anything else that will keep the helpers motivated!

  • Keep cash on hand for any last min. requirements
  • Strip beds and cover mattresses with mattress bags
  • Say goodbye to your neighbors!

If you need some temporary space in your move for any period of time, be sure to call the experts at Gladwin Self Storage for your Ottawa move.

Give us a call for a free quote – Gladwin Self Storage has Ottawa’s Lowest Price Guarantee!

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Blog | No Comments »

Making the Most Out of Your Mini Storage Unit

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012

Moving Storage Ottawa 200x300 Making the Most Out of Your Mini Storage Unit

 

Even the best use of the lowest cost self storage will be derailed if your unit becomes cluttered. Organizing your self storage unit at the outset will simplify access, and help to protect your items while they are in storage. See the below 10 Tips to make the most of your self storage unit.

  1. Use uniform size boxes for easy stacking.
  2. Keep a list of items that you have in storage available, which will make it easier to get the items that you need
  3. Ensure that mattresses are stored on their side to save space, and supported to have them keep their shape.
  4. Always stack heavier boxes on the bottom and lighter boxes on top
  5. Labeled boxes with their contents, and organize them with their labels facing out.
  6. Tables and other furniture that that have removable legs and components should be broken down to save space in the self storage unit.
  7. Couches and love seats can be stored on end to save floor space. Wrap cushions in plastic and place on top of sofas.
  8. Cover unpacked items, and furniture to protect them from dust.
  9. Organize your storage space. Place those items that you may need to access often in the front, and try to leave an aisle down the center of the self storage unit for easier access.
  10. Wipe any items made of metal; bikes, metal tables, tools, etc., with a protective oil to prevent rusting, and wrap them so that they don’t corrode on other items.

If you are in need of storage, be sure to call the experts at Gladwin Self Storage, home of Ottawa’s Low Price Guarantee! We have hundreds of self storage units available, in a range of sizes, with short term leases available. Contact us today!

For more packing tips, see http://gladwinselfstorage.com/top-10-packing-tips/ .

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Blog | No Comments »

Packing Tips for your Move

Friday, August 10th, 2012

Ottawa Moving Packing Supplies 300x300 Packing Tips for your Move

 

If it is worth moving, it is worth packing well! Having sufficient amounts of moving supplies available when packing will make the job significantly easier. Crisp, new packing materials will help you to save space and organize your move. Although boxes from grocery stores, or used boxes are free, with the disjointed size, weakness from use and potential issues from bugs, new boxes will definitely simplify things.

Be sure to keep available a set range of boxes, Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large Moving Boxes, coupled with other packing materials such as styrafoam chips, markers, bubble wrap, tissue paper and tape guns will allow you to efficiently pack and protect your valuables.

Whether you are looking to pack a few boxes a day, or to get through packing in quickly, you will want to stay as organized as possible to make unloading and settling easier.

See the below packing for your move!

  1. Pack heavier items on the bottoms of boxes, with lighter items on top to keep the boxes stable.
  2. The heavier the items, the smaller the boxes you should use to make them easier to lift – your back will thank you!
  3. Use mattress covers – they will keep your bed clean, and you will be happy that you did!
  4. Flat boxes are a great way to transport wall mounted artwork – pack the item in a suitable sized box and trim to fit. Make sure to mark as FRAGILE.
  5. Consider using some clothes as packing material in between breakable items or to fill spaces in other boxes that contain items from bedrooms.
  6. For valuable items and electronics, you may consider moving them in your car or shipping them separately to avoid breakage.  For high value items, be sure to have valuable items appraised and insured BEFORE they are moved.
  7. Before moving computers, be sure to make a back-up of your data.
  8. To help your children trough the move, allow them to select some items to take with them in the car or in their carry-on bag. Pack their room last, to keep them some semblance of routine. Make sure to check all potentially messy items such as paint or water guns to secure lids or drain them, and pack in plastic bags.
  9. Select a few pieces of essential cookware – pots, pans and some utensils for easy access, as you will want these available when you get into the new location.
  10.  Make an X with tape across the front of mirrors to keep the pieces in place in case the glass breaks.

Use these tips, and be sure visit Gladwin Self Storage in Ottawa for your moving storage, and simplify your move!  See  http://gladwinselfstorage.com/boxes-locks-supplies/ for moving boxes, and packing supplies.

Looking for more packing tips? See http://gladwinselfstorage.com/top-10-packing-tips/ .

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Blog | No Comments »

Top 10 Packing Tips

Thursday, March 8th, 2012

Ottawa Moving Self Storage 2 300x296 Top 10 Packing Tips

Packing can be some tedious work; however can be a significant time saver if properly planned. While there isn’t much that we can do to help to make the process more fun, we can provide some tips to help you to make the most of your packing time.

1)      Plan, Plan, Plan! Simplify the chore of packing with some planning, to make sure that you have all of the materials that you need. You will want boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, tape and markets, stickers, matrass bags along with any furniture cover that you will require, BRFORE you start packing.

2)      Take pictures of any items that you are taking apart at the start of the process, as well as intermittently when going through the process. Having photos will help out when you need to put it back together, particularly if you are stashing the screws in a safe place.

3)      Tape those boxes closed! Boxes that are sealed with tape will prevent dust and moving grime from getting in.

4)      Wrap furniture legs with bubble wrap, and use furniture covers or pads wherever possible to prevent scratching.

5)      Tape or tie bed rails together. Mark the pieces for easier assembly later. Place covers or plastic bags on mattresses to keep them clean during storage.

6)      Label boxes on all sides for easy identification, and highlight boxes with fragile or critical items. You may want to label boxes that are heavy, or have an awkward weight balance, as this may save an avalanche later on.

7)      Make sure fragile boxes are placed on top of heavier, less delicate boxes.

8)      Make use of the space inside of dresser drawers and larger appliances, such as stoves and refrigerators to store small, light items such as towels, linens and small, fragile items. Packed well, it will be a nice, rigid box for those items.

9)      Standardize on a box size. Uniform box sizes will be easier to stack, and will make better use of your storage space and moving truck.

10)   Pack heavy items such as books and tools in small boxes, with labels identifying them

These tips should help to make packing for that move just a little bit easier. If you are planning for a move, be sure to pop by Gladwin Self Storage in Ottawa, we carry a full line of moving and packing supplies, as well as the lowest price guarantee. Contact us today!

Tags: , ,
Posted in Blog | No Comments »