StorageVille, Where Winnipeg Stores

New Online Game for Storage Wars! What'$ it Worth?

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:20:00 GMT

StorageVille has become quite a fan of A&E's Storage Wars, for so many reasons. The quirky auction participants and bidders, the excitement is watching others discover real treasure, and also the competitiveness of this new-found sport.

After today, there is another reason to love this show! Can you believe they have made an interactive online game to guess what the contents of a locker are, aptly named "What'$ it Worth?"

http://www.aetv.com/storage-wars/whats-it-worth/

Online participants can engage in a trivial drag & drop approach to estimating different items' worth. As long as your boss isn't around, you could give it a shot at work. You may be surprised at your skills!

It's been a few months since StorageVille had a storage unit auction, and we are hoping to have another this Spring. The response was great and Winnipeggers are such bargain hunters, this sport most definitely fits into many people's mindsets.

Be sure to stay subscribed to our newsletters & auction alerts, available for registration on our website http://www.storageville.ca/auctions.html.

You don't want to miss out on the excitement, and Spring is sure to bring better weather than our first auction had!

(hence, all the umbrellas in the picture gallery from that day)

Storing Your Favourite Car Over Winter

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:22:00 GMT

For a car, inactivity can do just as much damage as it does for us people! Damage of nearly every kind can occur from just sitting, such as rotting rubber, mildew development, rust, engine parts can seize , and batteries can go dead.

Here's how to prevent this from happening to your car:

1. Give your classic a good detailing. Wash all road grime and salts from the undercarriage as well as body parts. Give the entire car a good wax.

2. Once your vehicle is ready to be parked for the winter, change or drain all related fluids, especially while the car is still warm.

3. Drain the fuel tank if you are going to store your car for more than six months. Once you have drained the tank, start the engine and run the rest of the gas out of the lines. Old gas will clog carburetors. If you only store your car for a few months, you can just add gasoline stabilizer to delay deterioration.

4. Drain the cooling system and leave the radiator cap off for air circulation. Be sure to handle and dispose of mechanical fluids carefully.

5. Remove the battery and store it on a shelf in a dry place, not on cement.

6. Raise the car and place jack stands under the suspension points. Remove the tires and stack them in a corner placing cardboard between each one and cover.

If you are storing your car outdoors you may want to cover it with a breathable fabric to protect against the elements.

Who Uses StorageVille?

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:22:00 GMT

Self storage facilities are used by an array of people for many different reasons. Are you one of these groups that is currently keeping all of your storage items at home? Join others in enjoying more space at home, and peace of mind with StorageVille safely housing your goods.

Who uses StorageVille?

Families

Families use the services of storage facilities for various reasons. Most commonly, they use it for temporarily storing their household stuff while relocating from one place to another. It is also useful for families who don’t have enough room at home for all of their belongings. People normally store seasonal clothing, extra furniture, bulky sports equipment, patio furniture, and Christmas decorations in the storage lockers. Self-storage services are also useful during renovation of the house to temporarily store household items such as furniture, and moving boxes.

Classic Car and RV Owners

If you have one or several vintage cars but do not have enough space to store them, you can use the StorageVille to safely store your cars, boats and toys.

Companies

If you have just set up a business and need some space for storing, you can use these safekeeping facilities. Also, if you are an existing business house, but want more space, then storeroom facilities can be used. You can also use them to store your paperwork and documentation. Since the office space is generally very costly as compared to StorageVille, this is a good option for storing all materials that are used infrequently.

Sales Reps

Free delivery acceptance, no need to sit at home and wait for the courier. We call you once your packages arrive. Samples and POS are best suited for our temperature controlled building which provides heated space in the winter and air conditioning in the summer.

There are likely several other kinds of people that use our facilities. Are you one of them?

Why do YOU use StorageVille? We’d love to hear from you!

Kitchen Deep Clean and De-clutter

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:13:00 GMT

Some people like to begin their spring cleaning in the kitchen. The kitchen is the room that is usually used the most in a home. It is where your meals are prepared and keeping it clean and organized is a priority. Even though you may clean your kitchen daily, you still need to do that once a year deep clean that reaches the bottom of every drawer and the back of every one of the shelves.

For your kitchen spring cleaning, plan to empty every drawer and every shelf and wipe them clean. As you begin to put things back in place, take time to reconsider where things are being stored. Is there a deep drawer that you are always digging through to find things? Are all your baking pans together in one place? Perhaps moving some items to different areas will make your kitchen easier to work in.

Don’t forget to go through the items in your food pantry during your cleaning as well. Check for expiration dates. Throw out anything that is old. Reorganize this area too so that you can easily see what you have. Us small Lazy Susan shelves to keep small items like spices and pudding boxes accessible.

If it seems like your kitchen is overstuffed, take time to consider how often you use some of the items you keep there. How often do you use that angel food cake pan? Do you have crowd size serving items that you only use once or twice a year? Do you have holiday theme dishes that are taking up space? You might consider removing some of these items out of your everyday kitchen storage and only bringing them into the house when they are needed.

Spring Cleaning: Map It Out

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:14:00 GMT

With the snow melting and the weather beginning to warm, it is easy to get into the mood for spring cleaning. It is amazing how some sunshine and spring temperatures can motivate you to get things done.

In spite of our enthusiasm to get going on our spring cleaning, we can easily get bogged down in the immensity of the task. Where do I start, when every area of the house is in need of de-cluttering and deep cleaning?

The place to start is by simply sitting down and mapping out a plan. Make a list of the things that need to be done: Rooms and closets to be cleaned, packing away winter wear, window screens, carpet cleaning, window coverings. Determine which room will be your starting point and then make your list in the order in which you plan to accomplish your tasks. It’s amazing how empowered you can feel by simply having created that plan of action.

Next determine your plan of attack on your rooms. Always begin with the closets or storage spaces. It will be difficult to put the rest of the room into order if you don’t attend to these areas first. As you go through your belongings take time to consider what needs to remain in that area, what should be given away or disposed of, and what should be stored elsewhere.

Use your spring cleaning time to reassess the organization of your home. Are your closets overstuffed, even after de-cluttering? Is your garage filled with sporting goods, along with lawn care and auto care items? Part of your plan needs to be reorganizing in ways that make your home more livable. You might consider the use of a personal storage area to store seasonal items such as your snow blower and winter sports equipment during the summer months. When the seasons change, summer gear can be transferred into the unit and the winter gear moved back to the home.

And remember your favourite charity who would welcome gently used items for their organization and to raise funds or give to the needy. This may help you decide whether an item stays or goes. And who knows, you could even receive a tax receipt for your generous donation in addition to knowing that you helped someone out less fortunate than you.

Regardless of your approach, writing out your plan to begin with help motivate you to begin and keep going until your list has been completed.

Staging Helps Sell Your Home

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:14:00 GMT

When you decide to place your home on the real estate market, it is important to have it looking its best at all times. Professional stagers have come on the scene to give homeowners advice on to make their home more appealing to buyers.

The first tip these professionals always give is to de-clutter. Remove as much as possible from the home, to give it a more spacious feel. It also makes it easier to keep the home neat for home tours by potential buyers.

The trouble with removing items from your home is that you will need a place to store them in the meantime. Since no one can predict how long your home will be on the market, that can be a dilemma.

You may need access to some of those things while they are in storage. If furniture pieces are included in the items that you are storing, you may need more space than relatives or friends have to offer.

Self-storage can solve both these problems. You can rent the amount of space you need to comfortably fit your possessions. You can also have access to them whenever you need to, without inconveniencing friends and family.

Having your home listed for sale can be a stressful time for the whole family. Choosing self-storage for your excess belongings can help minimize at least one part of the process.
Self-storage can solve both these problems. You can rent the amount of space you need to comfortably fit your possessions. You can also have access to them whenever you need to, without inconveniencing friends and family.

Having your home listed for sale can be a stressful time for the whole family. Choosing self-storage for your excess belongings can help minimize at least one part of the process.

Winnipeg Storage Auctions

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:14:00 GMT

One of the most frequently asked question that StorageVille receives is – “Do you hold storage auctions?” Yes, when a storage locker is abandoned the task is left to us to remove the contents by donating the items to charity and/or on occasion through auctions.

Demand for storage auctions have grown due to the popularity of television shows such as Storage Wars. Part of the appeal of these auctions are the possiblity of finding hidden treasures.

If you are interested in attending a storage auction, click here sign up for our Auction Alert and we will email you with the details of the next auction date.

Storing and Caring for Vinyl Records

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:17:00 GMT

Record collections are passed down through generations, built with a collector’s consideration, enjoyed in quiet contemplation and at raucous social events. Vinyl is a warm, textural listening experience, and steps must be taken to preserve it. Following a few basic principles will help to conserve your collection for present and future enjoyment.

Inventory. Depending on its size and/or value, you should prepare an inventory of your collection. Record the title, artist, date of release or date purchased (if known) and any other noteworthy information of each recording. Organize them in a way that makes sense for you – but keep it consistent.

Care. Keep your records clean. Dust and body oils can and cause poor sound quality and static. They damage the vinyl as well as the needles. Use cloths and brushes specially made for cleaning records; special chemicals are also available. The best, and easiest, way to clean a record is while it rotates on the turntable. Do not use soap and water. Once your record is clean, put it in a new sleeve so that dust from the old sleeve isn’t deposited. But keep the original sleeve! Original sets have a greater value for collectors, so protect the cover as well by keeping it in plastic sleeve.

Storage. Ideally, vinyl records should be stored in a dark, clean, cool, dry place at approximately 15.5 C (60 F) and with 20-40% relative humidity. This isn’t realistic for most of us, but your records will be ok as long as you protect them from extreme changes in temperature and humidity. So don’t store them next to an outside wall, in a soggy shed or near the kitchen. Moisture can cause mold that will damage the jackets and sleeves and harm the record. Heat will warp them and maybe even make them brittle. Smoke and cooking greases easily adhere to records and their jackets.

Whether you store your collection on a shelf, in the attic or in a storage unit, records should be stored upright and snug against each other as leaning can cause warping. Do not stack record boxes on the floor – create at least a few inches of space between the floor and your boxes.

Listen to your records – enjoy the ritual of hitting needle to groove. Store them if you must. But treat them with care and they will continue to give you pleasure for years to come.

Storing and Caring for Books

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:25:00 GMT

University texts, family heirlooms, classic novels and children’s stories – we collect a lot of books over the years. Regardless of how we come by our libraries, we find at some point that we have to store them away. Proper care and storage are essential to extending the life of your volumes. Here are some guidelines for doing it right.

Cleaning. If the book is extremely dirty, lightly vacuum with a brush attachment. For light to moderate amounts of dust and dirt, use a magnetic dry cloth. Hold the book firmly closed so dust doesn’t get between the pages and wipe the book from the spine outwards. Make sure there is nothing stashed between the pages of the book. Paper items and pressed flowers are acidic and damaging to the pages. Fasteners like paperclips can stain and tear.

Packing. Take an inventory of your books, noting the title, author, publisher, year, ISBN (if present) and any other information you find pertinent. An inventory will help you locate individual volumes and provide an itemized list in case of an insurance claim. Pack books according to your inventory in small, labeled, cardboard boxes, laying
them flat. Large boxes allow for shifting which can cause damage. Use boxes that are chemically purified; paper packing material should have a pH or 7 to 8.5. If you must use plastic bins, choose ones made of polypropylene or polyethylene. They are the most durable and chemically stable; avoid PVC and cellulose acetate. Do not stack boxes too high as the weight of the upper boxes may cause the ones below to collapse.

Storing. Whether you store your books at home or in self-storage, make sure the space is climate controlled; moisture and great temperature fluctuations will harm your books. If the floor is concrete, stack the boxes – squarely – on wooden pallets to avoid moisture absorption from the floor. Wrap individual boxes in plastic for added protection. Hardbacks should go at the bottom of the pile. Do not stack boxes too high as the weight of the upper boxes may cause the ones below to collapse.

If you have any inkling that a book has special value or significance, or have any other questions, don’t hesitate to consult our expert. Certain books may require extra special care.

Storing Household Linens

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:24:00 GMT

There are two essential elements to caring for and preserving your linens: proper cleaning and proper storage. Before organizing and packing your linens and bedding away, it is important that they have been properly cleaned.

Remember to check the tags for washing instructions, but as a general rule, anything made from cotton can be laundered in the washing machine put in the dryer. Remove and fold items right after the cycle has ended to avoid wrinkling.

Bedding items like pillows and duvets should be washed in an oversized or industrial washing machine. You want these items to agitate freely and rinse properly. By
extension, make sure that the dryer you use is of adequate size. The duvet should tumble loosely so that the air can pass through it effectively. Select medium heat. You
don’t want to scorch the duvet. Shake it out between dryer cycles to fluff the fill. It may take 2-3 cycles to completely dry.

To maximize loft, add tennis balls in clean white cotton socks to the mix. The tennis balls will bounce around inside the dryer, breaking up clumps and moving air though the pockets. Never dry clean feathers or down.

Store linens according to usage. Items in high rotation should be easily accessible; place them at eye level in a linen cupboard.

Any items you wish to store for extended periods should be kept in a garment bag. Anything made from a natural fibre, like cotton or linen, is recommended; do not use anything synthetic. Store them in a cool, dry, dark place. Warmth and moisture will encourage the growth of molds, while direct sunlight will fade colours and degrade fibers.

Launder and store your linens with care. Follow these simple steps and your textiles will last.

Create a Storage Strategy

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:23:00 GMT

Now that you have recycled or found new homes for your unwanted stuff, you are left to organize the stuff you want to keep. The pile of stuff to fix should be fairly small and easy to organize. Designate a place in your home to store these items. It could be a mending basket in the laundry room, or a dedicated shelf in the garage. Wherever it is, it must be easily accessible – you don’t want this stuff to get lost at the back of a cupboard again!

The last, and likely largest, pile of stuff is comprised of the keepers. To create a storage strategy, it will be necessary to split this pile up into further categories.

Maybe you have saved some older household items to give to a child or grandchild when they move out on their own. These are things that you will never use again and can be packed up, clearly marked and stored until they are needed again. Seasonal stuff – like holiday decorations, winter and summer sports equipment – will go unused for the better part of a year, and can be stored away as well. If you have limited storage in your home, consider keeping these items in a self-storage unit.

Designate specific locations for other types of stuff as well. Extra bedding can be stored in a closet, and out of season clothing can go in the basement, for example. Regardless of where you choose to put your freshly organized belongings, make sure they are all together in one place. It will make your search for your favourite blue sweater much easier if you know that all the winter clothes are in the basement, and all the sweaters are in container labeled “sweaters”.

Recycle or Sell your Stuff

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:21:00 GMT

Don’t go running off to the dump just yet.

Many things in your inventory can be recycled. Most clothing and household items can be donated to a local charity. StorageVille is a strong supporter of Big Brothers and Sisters and has drop off bins located at both locations. There are many other agencies that accept donations such as the Salvation Army and Canadian Diabetes.

Your local government’s waste management department is a good resource for information on how to deal with the other stuff. Winnipeg residents can follow this
link: http://www.winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste/recycle/howToRecycle.stm.

Larger items, like furniture and bicycles, even if they’re broken, can get a new lease on life.

Advertise your stuff on a site like Craigslist; there are many hobbyists out there who might see their next project in your old, broken-down junk.

Throughout this process it is important to stay realistic. If you haven’t used it in years, and can’t think of a use for it now, you don’t need it.

Assess Your Inventory

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:20:00 GMT

Now that you’ve had the opportunity to assess your household inventory and storage capacity, you can start weeding through all of your stuff. This next step involves sorting it into three categories: dispose, fix and keep.

For many of us, this can be a difficult, emotional process. But keep in mind that it’s the memories and experiences that are important, not the stuff! So, if it’s broken, stained, damaged beyond repair, or simply of no use to you, then it’s time to get rid of it.

Next…Don’t go running off to the dump yet!

Categorize the Stuff

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:19:00 GMT

Once you have made a list of your storage spots, think about how you might want to categorize the stuff that comes out of them: keep, fix, sell, give away, donate or recycle?

Here are some questions you could ask yourself. Will I be downsizing anytime soon? Are those comic books worth anything? Will my children (or grandchildren) need these ugly old dishes one day? Will I ever get around to learning how to snowboard?

A quick assessment of your needs and goals will help you gain perspective and clarity for the work that lies ahead.

Are you surrounded by stuff?

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:18:00 GMT

Most of us are. By this time of year, the stuff seems to be taking over. It’s everywhere. From cold weather clothing and sports equipment to holiday decorations and gifts, there is stuff at every turn. Where did it all come from? And where will you store it? Is closing your eyes and throwing it in the basement really an option this year?

For many of us, the New Year brings with it a sense of obligation – obligation to improve on the year gone by. We make resolutions and set goals, and more often than not, we fall short of achievement. If you aim to clear the clutter and get the house in order, then you have chosen to aim high! But you know you have a daunting task ahead of you. At any point in the process, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But there are ways of easing the burden.

To begin, make a list of all your storage spaces. The big ones include attics, basements, garages and self-storage units. You may have other, smaller places where stuff is stashed. Add closets, cupboards and armoires to your list as well. Although it may seem intimidating, the purpose of a list is to divide the work into manageable parts.

Focusing on one storage area at a time will help to keep you sane and prevent you from giving up.