Just like the patio furniture we discussed last week, most of you are probably about ready to store your bicycle for the winter months.  But, you don’t just want to put the bike away in any old manner or in any old place for that amount of time.  Let’s go over some steps and precautions you should take in storing your bicycle in a self storage unit.  Your bicycle is a tough machine, but you’ll want to take the time to care for it properly.

First, do not store your bicycle where moisture is present.  Moisture will cause your bicycle to rust and corrode.  Make sure that whatever self storage facility you use is dry and kept at about the same humidity level as a home.

Second, make sure to clean and grease your bicycle before storage.  Remove mud and grit from the wheels, joints, brakes, gears and the teeth of the chain.  Also, pump your tires before putting them in to storage.  This will delay the natural process of the tires going flat.

Third, make sure to hang your bicycle high in the storage unit.  You will protect the tires, and save space in the unit.  If you choose to store your bicycle on the ground, be careful not to stack anything on top of the bike.  This will cause damage to your tires.

Once the winter months are over, and it’s time to get your bike again, make sure to clean the bike before taking it out.  There is always a bit of dust in storage units, so spend some time giving the bike the treatment it deserves after being away for so long.  With this in mind, cover your bicycle with a cloth to protect it from dust or sunlight.

With a little attention, your bicycle can work great for years. To find a self storage unit near home where you can store your bicycle equipment, visit Online Self Storage.

Well, Labor Day is right around the corner.  Whether you like it or not, summer is about to end.  The days will get shorter, and the nights will get colder.  If you’re like most Americans, you have plenty of patio furniture that is quickly going to become unusable as we enter the winter months.  What to do with the furniture while the cold and snow are around?  It’s not fun to think about, but if you want to keep your patio furniture set looking new, you have to put it away for the winter.

Why do you need to store your patio furniture?  There are very few climates that allow patio furniture sets to be kept out all year without risk of damage.  Cold, windy, and wet weather can really damage patio furniture sets, cloth or vinyl pads, and umbrellas.

Before storing the furniture, you’ll need to take some time clean everything.  A pressure washer works best, using plain water or a mild soap solution.  Fear not, however, because even if you don’t have access to a pressure washer, a soft brush with mild soap and water will do.  After you have cleaned your patio furniture and allowed it to dry completely, apply a high-quality car wax to resin or vinyl sets.

The cloth or vinyl pads and umbrella should also be pressure-washed and left open to dry.  It’s very important that you give these cloth components ample time to dry inside and out before storage, to prevent mildew.

A self storage unit is the ideal way to store your patio furniture for the winter.  As always, make sure you rent a unit that is the proper size for what you’re planning on storing.  A 10×10 unit is probably ideal.  It is a good idea to wrap your patio furniture in plastic sheets or tarps to keep it safe from bumps. If you have to leave your patio set outside, be sure to wrap it thoroughly and secure the wrappings well.

By taking the time to put your patio furniture set away for the winter, you will get years of additional use from it.

Hello, and welcome to our new blog covering any and all aspects of self storage.  Let us know if you have any questions, comments or information to pass along.  Let’s go over five tips for proper self storage.

1)  Use a climate controlled storage unit to protect your items from extreme weather.

2)  Choose the right size self storage unit based on the items you want to store.

3)  Obtain insurance on your stored items if they are not already covered by your existing homeowner or rental insurance policies.

4)  Pack efficiently so that you can utilize your self storage space.

5)  Determine the best boxing and packing materials for your items.

Following these five tips will put you well on your way to making the best use of your self storage space.  Don’t forget to check out our expanded list of “Storage Tips” as well as our breakdown of “Storage Sizes” before making your decision.