MI Mini Storage Blog

Does the Amount You Store Self-Storage Change the Price

Self Storage Tips


Whether you’re looking to fill a self-storage space or put one or two things inside it, the rental price stays the same. There are other factors, though, that affect rental costs and how they’re carried out. In this article, we’ll explore the factors that affect the cost of your storage unit. Location Location, location, location. Storage units near you are going to be a better investment in the long term, especially if you plan to visit frequently. Counter in gas mileage when driving to the facility to see if it exceeds your budget. If you’re looking to visit your storage unit daily, using it for business purposes, or as a second garage, it’s wise to explore your options on the storage premises. Maybe there’s a convenient unit that’s more affordable than an economy unit. If you are constantly dropping off items from the loading dock, you may want to be closer to the entrance. If you’re dropping things off and then rarely returning to the unit, save time and money by going to the back part of the building where you’ll find the economy units. Size Size matters. It determines how much your rent will be on a consistent basis. Use a size guide to see what kind of measurements you’ll need. If you’re using a moving company, they’ll advise you on which truck to use. See the unit in person to make sure it works with your load. Climate Controlled v. Not Climate Controlled Climate-controlled units are always going to be more expensive rent-wise than non-climate-controlled units. Climate-controlled units will regulate the temperature of the storage unit 24/7, all year round, so items like electronics, tools, artwork, collectibles, wood furniture, and more are prevented from being exposed to extreme temperatures that may end up causing irreparable damage. If the items mean a lot to you or need to be preserved, investing in a climate-controlled unit is your best bet. You’ll pay a premium for this, though, ranking up to 30%-50% more ...


Ryan Moore
August 11th, 2022

What Happens if a Self-Storage Company Loses Your Stuff

Self Storage Tips


Storage units are known to be safe, reliable, and protective, but sometimes something out of your control and the facility’s control can happen. What if the storage facility loses your stuff? Or property damage occurs? Who’s at fault? We’ll examine the root causes of damage and the solutions you can use. Critters in the Storage Units Units have locks, but they can be broken into. Animal infestation is a real and common issue. People who have furniture with a lot of areas for breaking into, like cushions or wide spaces, will find their things possibly getting infested. Theft and Vandalism in Your Storage Unit It’s not ideal, and we hope it never happens, but units that have little security and are in obscurity may find themselves vulnerable to burglary. Thieves and vandals find storage units as a prime feast for your belongings. Police can come and file a report, but it may take time before you recover your items. Weather and Disaster-Related Issues Natural disasters happen, and they’re uncontrollable. Entire units can be wiped out, with belongings devoured by the elements. If you live in a location that’s susceptible to natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires, this can happen. Man-made disasters can occur, too, like a broken sprinkler system or an electrical fire. Keep Your Items Insured With each issue that arises in storage units, insurance is always the best solution. When renting a storage unit, you may be offered insurance to back up potential harm to your belongings. Several people forego insurance because they don’t think they need it. Don’t do this. Insurance is there for you when things occur that are out of control. Renter’s insurance doesn’t cover everything, especially water damage. Read Your Rental and Insurance Contracts Read your contracts. If you’re rushing, you might miss the fine print. Rental and insurance agreements may not include things like maintaining your items when you’re not around. To get full value for your items, and if the insurance doesn’t cover them, get supplemental insurance. Get Rental ...


Ryan Moore
August 1st, 2022

What Happens to My Storage Unit if I Die?

Self Storage Tips


When you die, or a loved one dies, there’s the grief, and then there’s the grief of paperwork, law stuff, belongings division, and more. It’s difficult to sort through a loved one’s things once they’re gone, and when you die, it will be hard for them too. If you have a storage unit at M.I. in Newton, NC, you’ll need to contact us directly and as soon as possible. If you die, your loved ones will need to do the same–so give them the contact and information about the storage facility. Your specific self-storage company can give your loved ones a discount while they sort through your things in the unit. Here’s what happens after the renter of a storage unit dies. The storage center is contacted. When a renter dies, their next of kin steps up and is in charge of contacting the storage unit facility. The contract occurs after weeks or months of the person’s death. Important and necessary plans will occur like clearing out the storage unit or updating the contract and renewing it if the next of kin wants to continue storing the belongings. Unit access is granted. The person taking care of and overseeing the estate and the family members needs access to the deceased’s storage unit. If your loved one gave you all the necessary details, you can go ahead and access the unit easily and find it conveniently. If they did not give you the details and access, you will need to go through the rental company and see what they can do for you or how you can provide proof. Rent is prorated or refunded. A prorated refund of the rental cost is typically considered with a deceased renter. Your storage rental facility will be flexible and accommodating to your needs and give you a discount. Instead of continuing to pay rental payments, you will most likely get a refund for the time left on the rental. Reach out to your local storage unit for ...


Ryan Moore
July 25th, 2022

Can You Store Batteries or Other Electronics in a Storage Unit?

Self Storage Tips


As technology and electronic manufacturing increase, so do batteries. Especially in regards to cars, our tech is relying on battery power more than ever. Self-storage comes in handy for most things, but with batteries, does it have the same effect? Here we’ll break down some answers to that question and lend some advice on battery storage. Over Time Batteries Lose Power Because self-storage units hold items for months on end to years on end, it’s worth it to consider that you may take them out from time to time. Electronic equipment has a quick life cycle, so newer gear may be bought in the course of living. If this happens, you can replace it with what’s currently inside. It’s easy to forget what you’ve left in there. Over time, batteries disintegrate and get depleted. Time is not on their side. The metal of the battery disintegrates over time, and if stored incorrectly can increase the speed of corrosion. Single-use batteries can burst over a period of time if left unused, and integrated batteries that you find in laptops and cameras can also degrade. Where To Store Batteries When storing batteries, remember to take out the battery if it’s in a device. Keep them at home, or a safe and separate place in the storage unit. You can discuss with a storage company like M.I. to figure out the best place to put them. You can also keep batteries where they came from if they have not been used, or you could place them in a plastic box specifically designed to carry batteries. Keep one type of battery separate from a different type and don’t leave them in the equipment where they came from. If you won’t be needing your batteries for the foreseeable future, then recycle them appropriately. Don’t just toss them in the trash. Before you throw them out, place them in a non-metallic container, making sure their terminals are separated and not touching (tape over the ends helps with this). ...


Ryan Moore
June 17th, 2022

Why Self-Storage is Perfect For Your Off-Season Items

Self Storage Tips


As summer is upon us, you may be tempted to reach for tank tops or short sleeves instead of fall and winter long johns and sweaters. Thinking about transitioning your clothing from spring to summer and summer to fall takes some work. It’s time to make the switch from bulky jeans to sleeveless tees. Clearing up space in your closets can help organize your life and your peace of mind. If you’re looking to preserve your clothes to last for years, rotate them by season, and possibly pass them on to your children, then consider keeping them in a storage facility. If you don’t have a spare room to keep all the clothes of the household, storage units free up that extra space. Also, attics, garages, and basements aren’t great for storing clothes as they’re exposed to mold, mildew, pests, and fluctuations in temperature. If you leave your clothes in these conditions, they won’t last for more than six months. Here are some tips for storing your clothes in a storage unit: Storing your items in the right unit: All your preparation for storage will be for naught if you store your boxes in a bad location. Choosing the right storage facility–you may want to consider climate control– is a great option to avoid unwanted intrusions like sunlight and moisture, which cause permanent damage to clothing. Wash your clothes before storing: This kind of goes without saying, but we’ll say it in case you’re not a big laundry fan. Clean clothes in storage are better than dirty ones. Sweat, grease, mold, and dirt can stain and encourage unwanted odors. Vermin could be attracted to body odor and deodorant and eat holes in your clothes. Light stains need to be removed as well as they could become permanent fixtures if not taken care of beforehand. Label, Label, Label: Look. You’re going to want to wear your clothes again. We’ve all known the feeling of needing something in ...


Ryan Moore
June 10th, 2022

What Kinds of Boxes or Containers Preserve Your Storage Items?

Self Storage Tips


Packing a storage unit is an organizational art form. What Marie Kondo would call necessary, is what we love to do–organizing people’s things. At MI Mini Storage we take special care in providing the right space to hold your items. It’s up to you how to store them, but we’d like to take the time to share some advice we’ve gathered through years of experience. To make sure your things are safe and secure, it’s important to choose the right boxes. Each box is a different size and material, with a different function. Sure, it might be easy to toss everything in one giant cardboard box, but each item is different and if your goal is to keep them around for years, you need to select the right box to hold it. How do you make the right choice on which box to buy? We’ll break down each type of box for you. Don’t Box Yourself In The type of box that holds your items, determines their shelf life. Choose one that actually preserves your things and takes into account what type of item it is, how long you care to store it, and where it will be stored. Cardboard Boxes When you think of storage or moving or anything that involves carrying stuff from place to place, you think cardboard. It’s the number one choice for most movers because they’re inexpensive and easy to carry, pack, organize, and label. Also, when you’re done with the cardboard box you can just cut it down and recycle it, or use it again in the future. If you’re in the storage space for the long haul, cardboard boxes will not be your best bet. Why? Because cardboard boxes are basically paper pulp, they’re easily damageable by high temperatures and humidity. Also, bugs and rodents love them. If you’re opting for a non-climate-controlled unit and it isn’t safe from bugs, then your items are at risk of being devoured. This rings true especially if you’re ...


Ryan Moore
June 3rd, 2022

How to Choose the Right Sized Storage Unit For You

Self Storage Tips


Having self-storage when you move or need extra space is great for clearing up room in your current home or business. It gets tricky though when figuring out how much extra storage space you’ll need. You don’t want to waste any space nor do you want to come away with less than you hoped. Here’s a guide to help you configure how much or how little space you’ll need when buying storage. 1. Take Stock Of What You Have When deciding how much space you’ll need in storage first make an account of how much you have. A great way to do this is to examine and count the number of boxes and items you have like couches, chairs, and tables. Write and record everything so you can refer back to it later. This list will help you determine how much size you’ll need. 2. Examine Your Storage Choices After making a list, check to see if you’ve utilized all the space in your home already. Maybe you can fit some items under a desk or between shelves. Maybe you can reorganize a closet or garage to make some extra room. You want to avoid buying storage that’s pricier than what you could have gotten had you reorganized and reshelved what you currently have. While this seems like a lot, it might only take you a couple of hours to reorganize and downgrade what you have already. The difference between a small and medium-size storage unit is about $900 yearly, so take the extra hour to make sure you’re utilizing the space you have. Small storage units can fit no more than 50 square feet of belongings. Items that typically go here include outdoor gear, patio furniture, small furniture, and seasonal items. 3. Measure your Space Take a yardstick, tape measure, or even a ruler and get to getting. Start measuring your stuff and jot down the measurements on your phone or computer. Add up the sizes and compare them to available storage ...


Ryan Moore
May 20th, 2022

What to Keep in Your Storage Unit While You Hit The Road

Self Storage


Whether you’re looking to hit the road or are already on the road, it’s essential to carry the necessary items with you and leave behind the ones you don’t need, but can access later. A self-storage unit is an excellent option for digital nomads, travelers, and people moving across the country. Whatever your route, self-storage is foundational for keeping your personal belongings, business documents, and other supplies accessible. Here are some tips on what you can and can’t keep in storage while you hit the road. Things You Can’t Keep in Storage Across the board. There are several non-negotiables that are not allowed in storage units. They are as follows: Food Hazardous materials Stolen and illegal goods Weapons and ammunition Living items (and dead ones) Wet items Priceless and irreplaceable items Money Furs Tires Unregistered or uninsured vehicles Without going into detail about each of these no-gos, keep in mind that anything illegal, perishable, wet, or priceless isn’t going to pass the storage inspection. If something is absolutely necessary to your livelihood and you can’t live without it, don’t put it in storage. Keep it with you or a trusted friend or family member. If it’s money or financial valuables, store it in a bank. It’s safer in a vault than it is in a storage unit without extra precaution. Check with your storage unit provider or us at M.I. Mini Storage in Newton, North Carolina to find out what you can keep and what has to go. Things You Can Keep in Storage While there are some obvious no-gos there are some items that pass the test. There are 5 categories that you can keep in storage: Seasonal items Household goods Business items Electronics Appliances For household goods, this includes keepsakes, collectibles, antiques, furniture, toys, kitchen and bathroom items, books, clothes, and more. For these items, consider a climate-controlled storage unit to keep your goods in good condition. For the road, keep a kit of items you’ll need to carry with ...


Ryan Moore
May 12th, 2022

How Long Have People Been Using Self-storage Units?

Self Storage


People all over the world need to store their items in a safe and convenient way. This need existed years before we modern humans accumulated so much stuff. Whether it’s assistance in moving houses, storing business materials, or simply organizing clutter, storage is critical in this era. In this article, we’ll go over the ways that storage originated and the history behind the successful industry it is today. Back to the Beginning It’s not common in recorded history to see people storing their personal possessions. While there is evidence from ancient China, Egypt, and Greece noting the storage systems they created for their personal possessions, it isn’t lengthy. In China, they stored items underground in clay pots for safekeeping, making them publicly available to access. In Greece on the other hand, there is evidence that in Delphi they stored and filed away written documents in a secure and private space. In Egypt, they used actual storage chests for personal items like clothing. On the other side of the world, in England, the British aristocracy stored money and personal possession in banks due to the rise of travel among the wealthy. There was a demand to keep their belongings safe while they were away and be easily accessible upon return. Hence, the banking industry develops alongside the storage industry. Looking back at these advanced cultures we can gather that storage has always been a necessity and a way of life, ranging from the personal to financial to professional. Self-Storage Hits America, Big Time In the 1850s, an American by the name of Martin Bekin developed and innovated storage buildings in response to the lack of shelter for immigrants coming over from around the world. Because there wasn’t any space in domestic homes, storage became a matter of survival for these immigrants. Not until 1906, almost a century later, do we begin to see the inkling of what modern storage units look like today. If we look at the ...


Ryan Moore
May 3rd, 2022

What Do Most People Use Their Storage Units For?

Self Storage Tips


Clutter is the enemy of a peaceful living space and a calm environment. Many people use storage units as a means to declutter their lives and keep their homes or offices free of excess. People use self-storage units for a myriad of reasons, and in this blog, we’ll give you ideas of what you could store, as well as what to look for in a storage facility depending on what you intend to keep there. Downsizing People downsize for all different reasons, from moving to a smaller space, to temporarily moving while remodeling, to divorce. When they do, they need a place to keep their things safe and secure, which is where self-storage comes in. Using a storage facility to downsize can help you save money and keep your sanity while downsizing to a smaller home, be it temporarily or permanently. But be advised, if you do store furniture, important papers, clothing, etc, make sure everything is labeled and organized, you don’t have to lose or misplace items during a move or divorce, as that will add unneeded stress to an already difficult situation. Seasonal Decorations Some of us love to make the most of each and every holiday, be it Halloween, Christmas, Easter, or the 4th of July. But during the other parts of the year, those decorations take up space and collect dust. Many people rent a small unit within a storage facility to keep their lights, fake Christmas trees, easter bunny costumes, and the like, out of their attic where they cause clutter. When using a storage unit for this, make sure the lights are wrapped properly and the items are individually boxed or bagged because you don’t want to rent a unit to store decorations only to find that things have been damaged while not in use. Equipment and Vehicles A lot of people opt for a storage unit as a place to keep their hardware, equipment, or tools away from their home where they can ...


Ryan Moore
April 16th, 2022

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