MI Mini Storage Blog

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

Can You Use Your Self-Storage Unit To Hold Your Business Inventory?

Self Storage Tips


If you're looking for ways to save on storing your business’ inventory, a storage unit is a great place to start. They are far more cost-efficient than warehouses or office space and if you find a well-run storage facility, they are just as safe and secure. In this article, we’ll give you what you can and cannot store in terms of inventory and how to best organize your products within a unit. Storage facilities allow business owners to use their units for storage or even an office (although there isn’t any natural light), just so long as you follow their rules, which can be read in the contract you sign. What You Can and Cannot Store In a Storage Unit Papers, tools, equipment, accessories, and clothing can all be stored at a storage facility. Just so long as your inventory doesn’t pose a fire hazard and doesn't have any liquid or water. You can use a storage unit to store any kind of inventory, just so long as it’s not perishable such as food, open drinks, or live plants which can cause mold and mildew and create an unsafe environment within the unit. How To Store Inventory Start with a list of inventory you plan to keep. Although an Excel spreadsheet may be a hassle if you consider the cost of losing, misplacing, or overordering it’s worth the time and effort. When you make a checklist of your inventory that has boxes that can be filled out, it helps you know what you’ve sold and what you’ve yet to sell, so that you don’t have to visit your unit every day or week, unless you make a sale. You next want to pack and organize your inventory in a method that’s easy to read and therefore easily unloaded in the right place. Pay attention to things that should be kept together, things that are breakable, and things that need to be sold first. This helps when unloading so that you ...


Ryan Moore
April 8th, 2022

How Quickly Can You Find and Start Using a Storage Unit?

Self Storage Tips


How Quickly Can You Find and Start Using a Storage Unit? Storage units make an amazing option for keeping your unneeded furniture, seasonal decorations, and heirloom antiques safe while keeping clutter out of your home. If you’ve decided to rent a self-storage unit, you’ll need to find the right facility, decide on the scale of the unit you need, sign a contract, and move in. In this blog, we’ll go over how quickly you can find and start using a storage unit. This process can be short and sweet, just so long as you follow the correct steps to ensure you’ve chosen the right place. Research Comes First Even if you are in a rush to move your things into a storage unit, you want to do your research. This is particularly important when storing items of sentimental value or high monetary worth. Start by looking into storage facilities in your area and determining which will be most convenient. Once you have a list of three, call and ask about their contracts, their security, and their manager on site. It’s worth taking the time to make sure that they have a secure, well-lit, facility that has safety measures in place such as cameras and or onsite personnel. Also, ask if they can rent a unit to you for the time frame you need. Ask Questions If at all possible, it’s best to plan ahead, as most storage facilities will let you reserve a unit a month ahead of time. If you don’t have the time and need a storage unit this week or even today, don't panic, there are options! Use the list you made in your research, and call to ask about what they have and how fast you can move your items into it. Most well-run storage facilities will have units available, but it’s always best to ask questions about the size you’ll need. You don’t want to move into a unit and then have to move again when you ...


Ryan Moore
April 1st, 2022

How Long Can You Keep Your Storage Unit?

Self Storage Tips


Some stored items are things we often don't need but simply can’t throw away. This is when finding a good storage facility really comes in handy. Self-storage units can be a great long-term solution for keeping goods, furniture, decorations, and clothing safe from damage and theft in your home. But sometimes, you only need to store items for a short period of time, such as during a move or divorce, when you’re downsizing or traveling. In this blog, we’ll go over how long you can keep your storage unit, and what the minimum commit is. Contracts Matter Each storage facility has its own contract with time constraints on it, so shop around before signing a lengthy commitment. Compare quotes from several facilities before committing and talk to a manager about what you’re looking for. Most contracts have a minimum time commitment for the renter and that can vary but is generally month-to-month. If You Only Need Storage For A Week Almost all storage facilities require at least a one-month time commitment for the renter, but if you find an inexpensive facility you could pay for the month and use it for the week. Sometimes you can get lucky and find a facility that has an opening and is willing to rent to you on a short-term weekly basis, but that’s not the norm. This is generally because true short-term storage doesn’t make sense within a larger facility, as it can be difficult to move your things in and out. This is why most people renting storage units use them for at least a month. Long Term Storage The great news is that although a good storage company will have you on a month-to-month lease, you don’t have a built-in end date. Many people store their goods for years, especially sentimental things that they don’t use often but can’t get rid of. If you intend on storing items long-term for multiple years, talk with the manager of the facility to see ...


Ryan Moore
March 15th, 2022

Can You Keep Food and Beverages in Your Storage Unit?

Self Storage Tips


Whether you're stocking up on food for emergencies, running an online food company, or are a chef looking for a place to store excess canned goods, beverages, and spices a self-storage unit can be a great option. But to ensure that you keep your storage unit long term, and don’t get costly fees by accidentally breaking a contract it’s important to stay informed about what is and isn’t allowed in the self storage unit. Each storage facility has its own set of rules, so although we’ll give you the major dos and don’ts in this article, it is always best to ask questions before you rent with a company and read the whole contract they give you before you sign it. What You Can Keep In Your Storage Unit Canned Goods: Almost all facilities will allow you to store canned foods and drinks, so long as they’re sealed and unopened. A can with even a slightly loosened lid can start to grow bacteria, which is not only not allowed by the facility but can also be a headache to clean. If you live in a hotter climate, make certain that the facility is temperature-controlled. Storing canned goods at temperatures of over 100 degrees can cause the food to spoil prematurely. Look for a storage company that keeps their facility between 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, cans can only be stored for 2 years after the best-buy date that’s printed, so make sure to check all your dates before you begin storing and set some sort of reminder for the years that follow. Dried Spices: If you’re a cook whose kitchen is being overrun by extra spices, a storage unit can be a good solution. But all the spices need to be fully dried to avoid spoiling and mold and bacteria. To store dried spices, you’ll want a temperature-controlled storage facility. Spice should generally be kept at under 60 degrees, and in a unit/facility that has little to no humidity to ensure ...


Ryan Moore
March 8th, 2022

What Type of Security Should Your Storage Unit Have?

Self Storage Tips


Renting a self-storage unit is a great way to protect your furniture, excess clothing, decorations, and heirloom jewelry safe from damage and theft in the home. But finding the right storage facility with enough security depends on what you intend on storing. You want to find a well-run storage facility with multiple layers of security measures in place, as they are the ones who ensure everything is kept safe. Here we’ll go over what type of security your storage unit should have, and what you should look for in a facility. The Basics If you’re storing excess furniture or seasonal decorations, you may not need extensive security, what you will need is a well-made lock and a facility that’s in a relatively good neighborhood with ample lighting. While you may want your storage facility located as close to your house as possible it’s better to have to drive an extra 10 minutes and have it be placed away from big-city blocks, as this avoids break-ins. The lock you choose is also important, many people choose the cheapest lock and then are shocked when they find their storage unit has been broken into. You can choose from either a combination lock, with a set of numbers that only you know or a keyed lock, with a key only you have. The safest options of locks are called electronic locks and they connect to an app on your smartphone. If you need simple security measures for your unit, this and a well-lit facility in a residential neighborhood will surely suffix. What To Look For In A Storage Facility If you’re looking to store more costly items, such as expensive antiques, jewelry, and heirloom items, you may need more than a good lock. Here, we’ll give you a few things to look for as you’re shopping around for the most secure storage facility. The best practices of a storage unit make all the difference in keeping your ...


Ryan Moore
March 1st, 2022

Can You Legally Change the Look of Your Storage Unit?

Self Storage Tips


Can You Legally Change the Look of Your Storage Unit? The traditional use for a self-storage unit is for storing excess furniture, seasonal decorations, goods, and antiques, keeping your home uncluttered and organized. But many people use storage units for other purposes, some turn their units into art studios, some set up home offices for e-commerce businesses, some people even try to live in them. Office and art studio use are allowed, as long as you run it past the facility manager, but living in the unit is unfortunately illegal. Depending on what you want to do within your storage unit, you may want to change the look or layout, so in this blog, we’ll go over what you’re allowed and not allowed to do to revamp your unit’s design. What Is Allowed You can set up the design of your unit to whatever your aesthetic is so feel free to get creative! Hanging things on the walls is legal and creates a comfortable space, but be advised, most units are made entirely of concrete and you may not be able to get a nail into the walls. There are a lot of hanger options that stick to the wall with water resident strips meaning it won’t be a problem. You are legally allowed to use large and small carpets, any furniture, and decorative accessories you want. Due to the fact that most storage units have power sources, you are also legally allowed to alter the unit’s look and feel with lights and lamps, which you’ll need given how dark storage units can be. Tip: Using window frames as decorations can help to change the vibe of your storage unit quickly and effectively. Almost all self-storage units are windowless, which can wear on you If you plan to spend a lot of time inside it. Window frames give the same visual essence and are a great way to change the unit's look. What Isn't Allowed You are not allowed to live in ...


Ryan Moore
February 7th, 2022

Should You Have Multiple Storage Units?

Self Storage Tips


Should You Have Multiple Storage Units? Self-storage is incredibly helpful for people looking to declutter their homes, store unnecessary items, or protect valuables from damage and theft. If you’re someone who is looking to store a lot of items, or furniture that is large and cumbersome, you may be considering renting multiple storage units. Self-storage is a great way to save money while keeping valuable or meaningful items safe. However, deciding how many storage units you need to store your items, as well as which design and layouts you choose can directly affect the amount of money you can save, as well as the ease of finding things within the facility. In this blog, we’ll lay out all the pros and cons of multiple storage units, as well as what steps you can take to figure out the best option for you. What Size Storage Units Are Available Storage units come in many sizes, and good storage unit facilities can help you figure out what size you’ll want for storage. The smallest storage unit that is available at most facilities is 10x10 feet, and then units move up in length by feet, until you reach the largest unit. The largest storage unit you can rent is 40 by 60 feet, which is larger than the size of a studio or even a one-bedroom apartment. If you’re unsure of what size storage unit you need and are asking yourself if you should rent multiple units, go to MI Mini Storage and use their calculator. There, you can enter your furniture or items and it will tell you what size will work best. The Plus Side Of Multiple Storage Units Having multiple storage units makes it easy to organize your inventory and allows you to have different units for different types of things. Some people organize their multiple store units by room, others by season, others have one unit for items that are used more often and another for more long-term stored items. ...


Ryan Moore
January 31st, 2022

Why You Should Go Through Your Storage Unit Quarterly

Self Storage Tips


Why You Should Go Through Your Storage Unit Quarterly If you are renting a storage unit, it’s easy to forget about it and continue on with your life. However, you must visit, check the facility, and go through your storage unit at least quarterly if not monthly. Here, we’ll go over all the reasons you have to go through your storage unit often. Checking For Damage Packing your self-storage unit correctly will help prevent damage to your items. If you’ve opted to store boxes in your unit but it’s always a good idea to look in and see if everything is in peak condition. As long as your boxes are not left directly on the floor you should be fine, but there’s always the chance that a box will have gotten damp. Checking quarterly will allow you to replace damp boxes quickly and avoid mold and mildew growth. Weather Concerns You should check your storage unit quarterly, but if the facility has seen a lot of snow or rain, it may be a good idea to stop by and make sure the unit is dry. Water damage is one of the most common issues that storage units face, but if you catch it early, you can avoid long-term damage to your items. This is also why you should always opt for a climate-controlled facility, even if it’s the slightly more expensive option, as it will help your stored material remain unharmed. Mother nature can also take a toll on renters in California. Although California doesn’t see as much rain, they have their issues. Fire and earthquakes can cause damage within units, and self-storage units should be checked after both. The facility will reach out directly if they’ve been affected by an earthquake and they most certainly will let renters know if there’s been a fire, but checking your unit often gives you an added comfort. Peace of Mind Choosing a storage facility that has motion lights, or lights that stay on all night ...


Ryan Moore
January 24th, 2022

The Top 5 Most Commonly Stolen Items From Self-Storage Units

Self Storage Tips


Self-storage units are amazing, they can help you declutter your home, store seasonal items, as well as keep heirlooms and antiques safe from home burglaries. However, unfortunate incidents do occur and some unit renters do have expensive and meaningful items stolen. In this blog, we’ll go over the top five most commonly stolen items from storage facilities, as well as how you can keep your items protected. 1. Uncataloged Items The most commonly stolen item from storage units are ones that have yet to be cataloged. This is because when you don’t have a complete inventory or have an unorganized unit, things can go missing. Renters sometimes don’t notice for long periods of time that there has been a theft, and that allows the criminals able to get away without repercussions. 2. Jewelry That’s Left Out In The Open If you’re storing expensive jewelry, you may want to invest in safes and or containers to store your items inside of the storage unit. Although the storage facility will have security, you still don’t want to leave high-priced items out in the open, in case an untrustworthy employee or thief happens to choose your unit to break into. 3. Antiques Antique theft from storage units is quite common, and there isn’t much you can do to stop it as those items can be big enough where they aren’t able to be hidden. Some unit renters do decide to cover their antiques with sheets so that they stay out of sight and safe from damage. Luckily, most storage facilities supply insurance for up to two thousand dollars. If your antiques are more expensive, you may want to have them insured privately. 4. Information When storing statements and papers in your unit, be considerate of not having all your information together. Some thieves break into storage units to collect information and gain access to bank accounts and credit card numbers. 5. Clothes and Handbags If you have a wardrobe that’s cluttering your home, ...


Ryan Moore
January 17th, 2022

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