MI Mini Storage Blog

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

Can a Photographer Use a Self-storage Unit as a Studio?

Self Storage


Starting a photography business can be costly, and many photographers have to make the difficult decision of whether or not to rent a commercial studio space or not. But, having a studio is a great way to build reputability with your clients and make your sessions run smoothly and efficiently. When considering what studio one may want, photographers often choose to rent a self-storage unit and turn it into a studio but aren’t quite sure if it’s a good idea or even allowed. In this blog, we’ll go over the pros and cons of using a self-storage unit as a photography studio. The Contract Matters Some storage facilities allow you to use a unit as a studio, while others have rules and regulations against entertaining clients in the space. When looking around for the right storage facility, make sure that you read the purposed contract and ask plenty of questions. It’s far better to know what is allowed before you sign a contract, rather than getting in trouble with the company after, or being locked into a long-term commitment at a place that you can’t work out of. As well as facilities contracts, there are also laws surrounding commercial enterprises working out of storage units, and you may be required to rent a commercial storage unit rather than a self-storage unit. All these questions and concerns can be answered by the facility manager and it’s imperative your clear on the rules before committing to a rental. It May Be Difficult To Control The Temperature Although the storage unit will be temperature-controlled, not all units have singular unit controls. This means that although it may be cool at the beginning of the session the studio lights can and will raise the temperature quickly, and you won’t have any windows to open for fresh air. Lack Of Natural Light Depending on the nature of your photography business you may want to have a studio that has natural light. Self-storage units don’t have ...


Ryan Moore
January 3rd, 2022

What is Covered Under Stored Property Insurance?

Self Storage


Stored property insurance is the insurance coverage for loss or damage to personal items that are valued at under 10,000 dollars. When you rent a storage unit, you’ll be given a contract that provides a master policy of insurance for the use of the unit. Stored property insurance covers a self-storage unit that’s located within a storage facility as well as the transport of items to the location during the time period of your contract. In this article, we’ll go through what is and is not covered under stored property insurance, as well as what you should get increased coverage on. Personal Property That Is Covered By Homeowners Insurance Policies If you’re a homeowner who is using a unit to store items while you move, downsize, or renovate, most of your typical items are covered. Stored property insurance is covered within your homeowner's insurance, regardless of where those items are located. The easiest way to ensure that all your property is covered is to increase your coverage limits in your homeowner's insurance policy. If your insurance coverage covers less when items are being stored outside of the home, you may consider increasing your personal property coverage. This can be done by tweaking your homeowner's insurance policy. However, this can increase your insurance rates when using a storage facility. Furniture, clothing, artwork, jewelry, kitchen and home appliances, and entertainment systems such as sound systems, televisions, and gaming consoles are covered under your policy. Also, items like bikes, skateboards, carpets, rugs, and equipment for lawn and gardening upkeep are covered. It’s important to note that some policies do not cover computers and technological equipment, so check your policy to know for sure. Also, if you have items that are valued at over 10,000 dollars you’ll need extra coverage to secure them against damage or theft. What Items Are Insurance Against Mostly, storage units ensure stored items against weather like fire, smoke, wind, hurricanes, tornados, hail, water damage, and lighting. They do not ...


Ryan Moore
December 13th, 2021

Is it Legal to Operate a Business Out of a Self-Storage Unit?

Self Storage


If you’re starting a new business venture or running a small online or repair business you want to save every penny possible and you may be looking into renting a self-storage unit. Storage facilities offer low prices, short and long-term contracts, and secure 24-hour access. But is it legal to operate a business out of a self-storage unit? In this blog, we’ll discuss what is and is not legal to do in your storage unit business office. Living In Your Unit: Not Legal It is illegal to live in your storage unit, due to federal housing laws, because it is unsafe for humans, pets, and animals. There is no ventilation system, no natural light sources, and the doors lock from the outside. If you’re trying to save money to run a business, this is certainly not the way to do it. Operating a Business Out Of Storage-Unit: Legal If you’re starting a business or running a product-based small business, such as online sales or vintage and antique trading, a self-storage unit is a great option! It’s extremely cost-effective and allows you to choose the time length of your contract. If you want to ship products but need a place to keep the products while you wait for the orders to come in, look into storage facilities in your area. This is particularly helpful for people who work from home but are being overrun by the number of items that they have to keep in their living space. Keep in mind that if you sell plants, succulents, or any living items, you cannot store them in storage units as they don’t have the proper ventilation and are subject to water damage and mold. If you’re a handyman or run a repair business, you may have tools that are for specific projects that you won't need every day, a small unit is a perfect place to store them. This allows you to visit the unit on your way to the ...


Ryan Moore
December 9th, 2021

How Can You Keep Rodents Out of Your Storage Unit

Self Storage


Finding a well-maintained, clean, and reputable storage facility can help in keeping rodents away from your unit. However, even after choosing a good facility, you still have to be careful in keeping your unit safe from unwelcome visitors. Having a storage unit can be a wonderful way to keep your life organized, but there is nothing worse than having rodents infect your unit. Not only can they eat through material and fabric, but they can also leave droppings and excrement that is unpleasant and unsanitary. In this blog, we’ll go over some tips for how to keep your self-storage unit free of rats and mice, as well as some surprising ways to deter rodents in general. Choose The Right Unit Before you begin storing your items in a self-storage unit, inspect it thoroughly. Make sure that there are no holes in the door to the outside or to the surrounding units that rodents could fit through. You also want to be sure that the door of the unit works properly and closes all the way. It is best to take your time and pick the right unit, rather than unload and organize all your stored items only to have to move them. Know What You Can and Can’t Store Storing food in your self-storage unit is a sure-fire way to invite rodents and bugs. That’s why any good storage facility doesn’t allow the storage of food. Even if it’s canned or well-sealed, it’s best to never store anything edible inside your unit. Plants can also invite critters towards your stored items as they can mold and decay and leave out a scent, so they are also forbidden. Store Items Wrapped & Off The Floor The items you are allowed to store in a unit should be stored off the ground. This leaves rodents with fewer hiding places and areas to breed or nest. The upholstered items you’re storing should be wrapped whenever possible in cellophane so the fabric’s protected, ...


Ryan Moore
October 29th, 2021

4 Things You Should Never Store in Your Self-Storage Unit

Self Storage


4 Things You Should Never Store in Your Self-Storage Unit When getting a storage unit, it’s easy to feel like you just want to throw everything you’ve ever owned into the unit. But be advised, there are some things that are just not meant to go in a storage unit. Some times thing is for the safety or the storage unit facility and sometimes if for your belongs safety. Perishable Food A safety rule of storage units that many people don’t realize or follow, that food is not allowed in the units. This is not only to keep the storage facility from smelling but also to keep insects and rodents away from the units. The last thing anyone wants is bugs and flies in their storage units. That’s why storage unit facilities enforce this rule the way they do. Be respectful of your space and the other people renting storage units around you and keep the food at home. Hazardous Materials You are not allowed to store hazardous materials in your self-storage unit. Any items that if they spiled would create damage to the storage unit classify as hazardous. Hazardous materials are anything that is flammable, corrosive, or explosive. These materials create a risk to not only your unit but for the units around you. Chemicals, gases, gasoline, propane tanks, lamp oil, cleaning materials, paint thinner and paint, pesticides, and car batteries are among some of the hazardous materials you are not allowed to store in a self-storage unit. When storing leaf blowers, lawnmowers, or chain saws, they need to be drained of oil and duel before you store them in your unit. Damp or Scented Items Self-storage units must be kept dry and scentless for two reasons. One, because as mentioned above, scents in the unit can attract rodents, insects, and other pests to the facility which is why it is not allowed. Two, anything in your storage unit that is damp, even slightly, will produce mold and mildew. ...


Ryan Moore
July 14th, 2021

Why Self-Storage is a Helpful Solution During Your Divorce

Self Storage


Getting a divorce is one of the most painful things we can go through in life. It can be sad, overwhelming, and lonely. Sometimes the best solution for your things can be getting a self-storage unit so that you can focus on yourself and your happiness and not trying to do everything at once. In this blog, we’ll go over why storage units can be the perfect solution during your divorce. Throughout a Marriage, We Accumulate a Lot of Stuff The first thing you need to do is decide who to take what. Then have a storage unit organize and streamline the separation of items. This helps to keep things clear, avoiding arguments or confusion later on. It also keeps your shared home from turning into a chaotic storm of boxes and items covered in post-its. This is especially important if you’ll be selling your home and need to get it cleaned out quickly and efficiently. Keep Paperwork and Other Important Items Safe and Secure When going through a divorce there often is paperwork you don’t want your former spouse to see or have access to. Getting a storage unit can guarantee that things will be kept safe from wandering eyes and helps you feel you have a private space for important things. It’s tough to go through a divorce, and having a space that is just your own can help not make it worse. Storage is Great For Downsizing Often after a divorce, both parties have to downsize. When moving into your new, perhaps smaller size home your overflow of things can be put into a storage unit. The most important rule in moving into a smaller home than your used to is to not over clutter the place. That way your space looks bigger and more purposeful. Storage Gives You Flexibility In a Time When You Will Likely Be Distracted Divorces are difficult, and you may be distracted when moving. Self-storage units give you ...


Ryan Moore
July 14th, 2021