The end of the hurricane isn’t necessarily the end of the storm. For many people, the task of cleaning up and getting their lives back in order is just beginning.

Here are a few tips to help you get through this process:

• If you reside in an Evacuation Zone, be careful when returning. Here are some valuable tips from The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for avoiding hazardous conditions and repairing damages: fema.gov/rebuild/recover/return.

• It’s very important to dispose of any food that might have been contaminated by flood waters and if your home lost power, dispose of all perishable items that were exposed to temperatures exceeding 40 degrees for more than two hours. Other important food safety information is available at nj.gov/health/er/natural.shtml

• According to FEMA, if your basement is flooded, it is better to dry the area at a slower pace – pump out approximately one-third of the water each day. Removing water quickly might cause more damage to walls and floors if the ground outside is still soaked by flood waters.

• Be sure to contact your insurance agent as soon as possible and photograph or video all hurricane and flood damage to document it prior to repairs. You should also save any receipts associated with clean up and repair.

If your home suffered from excessive damage, Moishe’s Self Storage can also help. We provide local storage with short term options if you need to stow your belongings during renovations. Moishe’s Self Storage offers free pick up and 10% off, with certain restrictions. If self storage is not an option for you, we can also provide Moishe’s Mobile Storage. A secure, weather-proof storage unit can be delivered to your location and will remain on premises for as long as necessary.

Getting back on your feet after an event like Hurricane Irene can be difficult, but by following some helpful tips and utilizing all the resources available, you and your family will be better suited to return to everyday life as soon as possible.

Choosing the right size self-storage unit for your belongings is equally as important as using the space efficiently. Time to break out that measuring tape and figure out exactly what size storage unit you need!

Of course, assessing what size storage space you need will be much easier if you know exactly what you want to store.

As mentioned previously in this blog, it is best to divide your things into organized categories:

1) Items that are coming with you to your new home.

2) Items you would like to get rid of/give away/sell at your yard sale.

3) Items you would like, or need, to store.

Once you have selected and packed the items for storage, you will be able to better estimate the appropriate unit size. We offer over twenty different sizes for self-storage units, and provide our customers with customized spaces as well.

But, here are some examples for reference:

• Locker: This 2.5′ x 4′ x 4′ unit fits two suitcases and five boxes of various sizes.
• Seasonal Closet: A 3′ x 5′ x 8′ unit that can fit skis, a large air conditioner, and ten boxes of various sizes.  Befitting its name, this unit is great for seasonal storage – especially sporting equipment and heavy winter gear!
• Walk-In Closet: The Walk-In Closet is 5′ x 5′ x 8′ and fits one bicycle, one wardrobe/rack of clothing, one armoire/stand alone closet, and fifteen boxes of various sizes.
• Your Personal Attic: This spacious storage unit is 10′ x 15 ‘x 8′ and can fit one bicycle, one queen size mattress, two coffee tables, one sofa, and eight boxes of various sizes. This unit is highly recommended if you need to store large furniture.

Remember to consider the following as well:

• It is always a good idea to visit a storage-unit before moving your stuff so that you can get a visual sense of the physical space.
• If you can afford it, consider selecting a storage unit that is slightly bigger than what you actually need. This extra room can be very  useful,  as it makes going in and out of your storage unit much easier, and leaves room for any items you decide to store later on.
• Choose a self-storage unit as close to your new apartment as possible – particularly for seasonal storage purposes.

Sometimes you’d rather just get rid of stuff than store it. Makes sense, especially if you are moving long-distance or are feeling ready for a clean slate (newlyweds, that might be particularly appealing to you). Or, perhaps you have acquired a storage unit but would rather not overcrowd it with items you will actually never use. But what do you do with all of the things you decide not to take with you or place in storage?

Some things can be a shame, and a waste, to throw out. Not to mention, a yard sale can be a nice way to make a quick buck–always a plus in this economy. So here are some tips if you are planning a yard sale:

Can you have a yard sale?

• Before getting hooked on the idea of selling, do you research–find out if there are any restrictions in your neighborhood regarding yard/stoop sales.
• There are areas that require a permit. If so, make sure to obtain one and display it as necessary.
• Some areas also have limitations on how many yard sales a person can have per year. So if you’ve had one before, look into this carefully.

Once you know you can legally have a yard sale, figure out what you intend to sell:

• When you are packing up your home, divide items into three categories: one for items that are coming with you to your new home, the second for items that you will likely use some day (perhaps seasonally) and would therefore like to keep in your self storage unit, and finally, one for belongings that you simply have no use for but think someone else may enjoy.
• Keep in mind that people who come to yard sales expect to find things in fairly good condition, just as they may in a thrift store, flea market or The Salvation Army.
• Be certain that you are ready to part with the object. If you aren’t, put it back in the storage unit category or “loan it” to a friend/family member who you will see again and know you can take it back from when you need it.
• Make sure you have enough to sell. If you have too few items, perhaps join forces with a friend or neighbor who is also moving (or looking to get rid of some things). If that doesn’t work, donate your stuff to charity instead.

Now that you have decided to have your sale, get the word out! The more people that come, the more you are likely to sell, so it is important advertise your yard or “stoop” sale well in advance.

Here are some suggestions for marketing and promotional purposes:

• Make use of public bulletin boards! These can be found in libraries, laundry mats and grocery stores. Bus stops are also a common location to find fliers and information, as well as nearby universities and local coffee shops (if they give you permission).
• Make sure that your sign is catchy, easy to read and has all the necessary information including date, time, and place. Perhaps include a bit about what will be offered–but make sure your sign isn’t too wordy–people tend to stop reading rather quickly these days.
• Always make sure that your advertisements are placed in areas that they are allowed to be in!
• Word of mouth is powerful! Tell everyone you know (i.e. co-workers, friends etc.) and ask them to spread the word.
• Make use of social networks! Post your yard sale information on Facebook, Twitter and your blog, or whatever social media sites you are most comfortable with.

Now that you have spread the word, you’ll have to make your yard sale as easy as possible to get to. It would be a shame to lose potential buyers simply because of poor signage. Additionally, you never know how many “walk-in” customers you will attract.

• You’ll want to make big signs around your neighborhood with arrows on them directing people to the sale.
• Make sure the letters are big enough to read for people driving/walking by them.
• If you are hosting a yard sale outside the city, place these signs in high-traffic areas. If you are in the city, post them on avenues with a lot of foot-traffic and close to nearby subway stations.
• Again, always make sure you put the date and time!
• Remember: There are rules in some areas about where signs can be placed and where it is illegal to put them. Follow the rules or your signs will be taken down before anyone sees them and you will be fined, putting a damper on your money-making endeavor!

Finally –here are some tips on organizing your stuff, prepping it for sale and making it as “sell-able” as possible.

How to organize your yard sale:

• Set your items for sale together, away from anything else that is not for sale while you are packing.
• Clean each item so that it looks as attractive as possible. It is one thing to buy something used–it is another to buy something dirty!
• Next, decide where you will host your yard sale. If weather permits, place all items for sale outside on steps/tables so that people can easily come and go as they please.
• Put price marks on each of your items for sale. We suggest color-coding the tags according to price. (i.e. $5 marked in yellow, $10 marked in red and so on). Mark items sold as sets and those sold individually so there is no confusion.
• In order to make things extra organized and easy for potential customers to peruse, place items in categories that go together. Kitchen items in one section, clothes in another etc.
• Have a collection of bags and possibly boxes ready, with which your customers can carry things away.
• Have newspapers and bubble wrap handy to wrap fragile items in.
• Hang clothes on clothesline or on rack if possible.
• Set up a cashier area for you and whoever is helping you run the sale to work behind. Remember to have a calculator, scissors, tape, string, markers, tags and a secure cash box.
• Always have small bills handy so that you can easily make change.

Enjoy yourself–you have taken yet another important step in the moving process!

Congrats on your recent nuptials! As husband and wife, your lives come together, and so do all of your belongings. Wondering what to do with all of “her” stuff and all of “his” stuff that won’t fit into your new home, and that you can’t live without? Perhaps she doesn’t want to see his sports memorabilia and is interested in decorating with something other than his movie poster collection. Perhaps he doesn’t want to see her fur collection and is pretty sure she doesn’t need every single pair of shoes ready for use at any time. Perhaps you both have a toaster oven, but you want to keep the extra one safe in case the other breaks. Self storage can be a simple, affordable solution to many issues that come up when couples move in together.

Here are some tips in making sure your self-storage unite is organized -you never know when that movie poster will appreciate in value, or when shoes from four summers ago will come back in style.

First thing to remember, unit sizes are determined by price, so these tips can really help you save money by assessing carefully what you have to store and using your self storage unit efficiently.

• Try and asses what you may need to access from storage more frequently and keep these items at the front of your unit -for space conservation and easy access place larger boxes/items in the unit first.
• If you need to stack your storage unit high with boxes you should make sure to put the heaviest boxes at the bottom to avoid damage.
• Stack boxes and similarly sized items together in order to save space.
• Make sure that you have labels on your boxes and containers.  Place boxes and containers so that you can see these labels with ease when you walk in.
• Seal all your boxes with packing tape before you put them in a self-storage facility – this will help keep dust out of the contents.
• For easy access, and if space allows try to create an aisle and leave enough room to be able to get round the back of the unit.
• Try not to lean furniture against outside walls.
• If you’re storing metal objects it is best to avoid leaning or resting them against any other items susceptible to damage.
• Fill anything that is hollow, like drawers, washing machines, armoires, wardrobe closets and fridges with smaller boxes and items in order to maximize space. This will prevent things from becoming too scattered and unorganized.
• Wedge open the doors of all kitchen appliances while in the facility open to avoid bad odors and mildew from building up.
• For the best protection for mirrors and pictures in your self-storage facility, wrap them in a protective covering (i.e bubble wrap) and stack them on their ends. Mirrors and pictures should never be stored flat.
• Separate all lamp bases and lampshades, them wrap them up for protection.
• If you’re storing upholstered products such as mattresses and sofas in a self-storage facility we recommend you invest in covers, bags or sheeting for them.
• Stand sofas and mattresses on end wherever possible, this will save space. However, do not store anything vertically that feels wobbly or unstable. Mattresses should be raised above floor level.
• Don’t stack too much on top of soft furnishings.
• You will save a significant amount of space if you dismantle furniture (if possible) such as beds and tables before you store it in a self-storage facility -but make sure you save all of the pieces and connecting parts so that they can be put back together again! The best is to wrap up the separated furniture parts and place them together in sections within your storage unit – labels labels labels!
• Store large pieces of furniture vertically.
• Chairs can be stacked seat to seat but cover chair legs with protective wrapping (i.e. bubble/foam wrap).
• When packing shoes or clothing place items inside drawers or wardrobes in order to keep the dust off.

If used correctly, a self storage unit can really be a life saver. It can make a new apartment feel more spacious and clean  Without throwing away any of your favorite things, self storage can help newlyweds make room for “their” stuff (rather than “his” or “hers”), for new memories and new collections of….stuff!

Have you noticed our bright red paint job at our Brooklyn storage facility?

If you have driven by us on the BQE or around Williamsburg, Clinton Hill or Fort Greene, you have probably noticed how our red exterior–painted to match our famous red moving trucks–makes our building at 32 Grand Ave. very easy to find. This comes in handy for customers who are not familiar with the area or who are stressed with driving the city around on moving day. Along with our handy online storage calculator, which quickly lets you know how much storage space you need given the items you want to store, Moishe’s is all about making life easier for our customers.

In a competitive real estate market, home sellers will want to do everything they can to appeal to buyers. One of the most effective and inexpensive methods is to declutter your home. Organized areas devoid of personal items can make a home appear larger and allow the buyer to focus on the home’s selling points.

Self storage is the ideal solution for temporarily decluttering your home while it is on the market. With a variety of unit sizes available and options such as climate-controlled storage, home sellers and real estate agents can easily create a clean, spacious and airy home.

Here are some tips:

1. Before you put your home on the market, take inventory of all of the personal items in your home–which you’ll need on a daily basis, which can be placed in storage, and which can be discarded, donated or recycled.

2. Focus on closets, cabinets and shelves. If these appear to be stuffed with items, your home will look like it is lacking storage space.

3. Remove bulky or excess furniture. Show off the square footage of your home and make rooms appear larger.

4. Remove personal items. Make the home look move-in ready for the potential buyer by taking down personal photographs and decorative items. Your china collection may mean a lot to you, but chances are the buyers will just see clutter.

5. If your old home sells before your new home is ready, moving your belongings into self storage is a safe solution. Choose a local storage facility so that you can access your items at any time and move them to your new home as soon as it’s ready.

Just as severe hot or cold weather can damage the exterior of your home, dramatic changes in temperature and humidity can have a negative effect on items you place in self storage. Many storage facilities offer climate controlled units, meaning that the temperature is stabilized (usually at room temperature or 55-75° F) and humidity is monitored. Climate controlled storage units typically cost more than non-climate controlled units, so it is important to consider the value of the items you plan to store.

Climate controlled storage prevents:

• Warping, cracking and splitting
• Rust, yellowing and corrosion
• Mold and mildew
• Pest infestation

Items that are commonly stored in climate controlled units:

• Leather or wood furniture
• Antiques and heirlooms
• Clothing (especially delicate items)
• Furs
• Art supplies
• Food stuffs
• Paintings and other fine art
• Photographs
• Musical Instruments
• Media such as DVDs, CDs, vinyl records, video tapes and software
• Cameras and film
• Televisions and stereos
• Computers and computer parts
• Video equipment
• Audio equipment
• Tools and machines
• Restaurant equipment
• Construction supplies
• Medical supplies
• Archival documents, tax files and other paperwork
• Historical documents
• Seasonal inventory

Have questions about climate controlled storage? Call one of our storage consultants at 718.297.3098 or 718.392.4116.

Climate and light control are essential to preserving works of art. (Image: Mana Contemporary)

For a small cost relative to the monetary and sentimental value of your art collection, art conservation is essential to preserve the full value of the collected works.

The most important aspect of art preservation is prevention. Art conservators are trained to recognize potential damage and prevent it with routine inspection and maintenance, climate control in display and storage areas, continuous training in the best handling practices and condition documentation (for insurance purposes, disaster plans and asset assessment).

Here are 5 essential tips for protecting your art collection:
1. Protect your art from direct sunlight. UV radiation from natural light as well as tungsten-halogen and fluorescent lighting can dramatically accelerate the oxidative deterioration of organic materials. This can lead to fading of pigments and dyes.
2. Maintain a constant temperature. Radical changes in temperature can cause buckling, loss of adhesives and chemical changes.
3. Make sure the room isn’t too humid. Humidity can cause dimensional changes to artwork that can lead to damaging stress. Moisture can also corrode metal, glass and ceramics and lead to the growth of mold and bacteria.
4. Take care when moving artwork. Perhaps the biggest danger to art is the mishandling of it during transportation. Breakage, tears, missing parts and fingerprint smudges are all common damages caused by human error. Art handlers should always wear gloves and employ ample time and planning before moving an object. For shipping or major moves, you will want to hire a professional art handling company.
5. Store your artwork at a professional facility such as our sister firm, Mana Contemporary. Ideally, all artwork that isn’t hanging in your home or gallery space should be stored in a museum-grade art storage facility. These buildings are monitored around-the-clock to ensure optimum conditions for storing artwork. At Mana Contemporary, RFID (radio frequency identification) technology, 24-7 video surveillance and a restricted-access security system further ensure that items are always protected.

Need help choosing a storage company? Here are some questions to help you decide.

Running out of closet space? Suddenly planning a six-month trip around the world? Whatever you’re doing, you’ve come to a conclusion that you need storage, and you need it right away. Which is why you’re here!

Here are some questions you should ask a storage company before moving your items into their facility:

Q: What kind of storage do you offer?

A: If you are considering a storage company that is also a moving company, they will most likely help you move your items into your storage unit. Depending on their terms, they may give you a free move if you agree to a long-term contract, for example. By choosing a self storage company, you may be responsible for the work of moving your items into storage–renting a truck, packing, loading and unloading. Another option is mobile storage, which means that a mobile storage company delivers a container to your driveway or curbside for you to pack, and the container is then kept on your property or stored at a warehouse.

Q: What kind of security can I expect?

A: You are handing over your belongings to the storage facility. How will they protect your items? Consider also the location of the storage facility–is it a place you would be comfortable visiting at night? Find out what security methods the company uses–video cameras, on-site guards, locked areas, etc.

Q: What size storage unit should I get?

A: This of course, depends on the amount of stuff you want to store. If you have been thinking about a yard sale or donating items, now is the time. Most storage companies determine rates based on square footage, although if you agree to a longer rental period, you may receive a discount. The storage company should be able to quote you an appropriate size unit based on the items you plan on storing.

Q: What special features do you offer?

A: Many storage companies offer climate-controlled units for more sensitive items that could be damaged by heat or humidity, such as artwork or delicate fabrics. Some companies also offer vault storage for high-value items such as jewelry or antiques.

Q: Do you offer pick-up services?

A: Some storage companies will provide assistance to bring your items to their facilities. This could include a driver and movers or just use of a truck. Depending on your arrangement with the storage company, this service may be provided free of charge.

Q: Are there any restrictions on what I can put in storage?

A: Given the appropriate environment, almost anything can be stored for a certain period of time. But there are a number of things you should not store: perishable food (don’t want to attract pests), any combustible materials, plants, high-value items and firearms. Ask your storage company for specific prohibited items.

Here in the Northeast we are looking forward to more spring-like temperatures even though the calendar says the season has already arrived. This is that time of year when homeowners and renters take a look around their homes to see what needs fixing and refreshing after winter’s long chill. If you have an extensive spring cleaning or renovation project planned, self storage is a convenient and affordable solution. At Moishe’s Self Storage, we have units in all sizes, starting as low as $29 a month, where you can temporarily place the contents of the room you are cleaning or remodeling.

Not sure where to begin with your spring cleaning? Here are some recommended projects:

• Open the windows! Let that fresh air in. Then clean windows, repairing or replacing any that are damaged for optimum energy efficiency.
• Spend a weekend decluttering
• Clean debris from gutters and roofs to prevent mold and mildew damage.
• Change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Caulk tiles and any window or wall cracks.
• Get carpets professionally cleaned.
• Dust and clean hard-to-reach areas such as ceiling fans, walls and corners.
• Clean or replace your air conditioner filters and have ducts and vents professionally cleaned.