A mountain of storage containers from ancient Rome to the modern day.

A mountain of storage containers from ancient Rome to the modern day.

Historians know that humans have used clay storage containers for thousands of years mainly for the storing of food and beverage items. By perfecting the manipulation of clay it was possible for the first time to protect food from the elements with with relatively airtight jars which could be sealed by animal skin or paraffin wax. For the first time ever humans were able to move perishable goods over long distances and keep the bounty of the harvest in storage for the times later in the year.

Perhaps the greatest testament to the popularity of these clay containers is Monte Testaccio which can be found in the center of one of the world’s most ancient cities, Rome. Not a true mountain, Monte Testaccio is perhaps the world’s oldest scrapyard for used storage containers. For hundreds of years Romans disposed of used clay pots and vases known as amphorae. popularly used for the storage and transportation of wine, amphorae were relied upon by ancient Romans for everyday use. However these fragile clay storage containers were only useful for storage when in pristine condition. Relatively inexpensive amphorae could be discarded with little regard when the slightest flaw was discovered. As the contents were infinitely more valuable than the broken container.

From the first century BC until the third century BC Romans created Monte Testaccio by disposing of hundreds of thousands of olive oil containers. Historians speculate that these 70 L containers were too difficult to recycle into other uses and therefore were discarded creating a mountain of broken pottery hundreds of feet high and covering 20,000 m². In the intervening centuries this mountain of discarded storage containers has served as a geographical landmark in Rome which at times has had with religious and military significance.

Archaeologists began studying the mountain in the 1870s. It has provided fascinating insight into the culinary lifestyle of ancient Rome. The site is adjacent to what was once the cities governmental olive oil reserve. By excavation and study of the discarded storage containers found at various levels throughout the mountain experts have sermons that at its height in the second century BC Rome was importing up to 7.5 million liters of olive oil per year. From this historians can extrapolate information previously unknown of Rome in ancient times such as population and the reach of trade partnerships. Even today archaeologists still plumb the depths of Monte Testaccio in search of more artifacts to help flesh out our ideas of life in ancient Rome. This process is made easier by the very structure of the mountain itself. As explorers have discovered the disposal of these clay storage containers was a highly organized and government regulated activity. Build of several tiered levels over the centuries the pile was constructed by carrying intact clay storage containers to the top on the backs of donkeys. The containers were then broken and formed into tightly packed tiers which were then covered with lime ostensibly to control the stench of rotting oil, but conveniently serving as an excellent preservative for the delicate shards themselves. This highly regulated system of storage has made study by archaeologists highly productive.

Sorting out items for Storage

Sorting out items for Storage

Super Cheap Self Storage Illawarra has some stories of their own, even though they are one of the younger outlets in the franchise. Mark Grogan who is the outlet’s manager would love to share some stories about how it was like to set up shop when he first took on the mantle of business owner.

In the short time that we’ve been in operation, we’ve already come leaps and bounds from our initial few days where I struggled with understanding the administrative bits of things and also getting used to the flow of the operations in the facility. Most days I was running around like a headless chicken because I had to take on many roles at once in order to make sure that things ran smoothly.

But it didn’t take long before Super Cheap Self Storage Illawarra got its bearings and I was able to breathe again. One of the biggest milestones for us has got to be when we started expanding the number of vehicles we had so that we could continue to expand business and reach in the area and we were expecting the delivery of new Pantech trucks which could hold 3 storage modules each on every journey. That would definitely save us lots of time and consequently enable us to give an even better value-add to our customers who are always on a look out for cheap rates and good quality storage services.

Well, what happened with that was that we were really quite impressed with the truck when it first arrived – it was all big and brand new – shiny to boot and the capacity of that monster was incomparable! We were excited to load it up and see how much the baby could really hold before we started bringing her out on our delivery and pick-up runs with our actual storage modules.

But I think there was something that the manufacturer forgot to mention to us – the weight of the whole truck leaned to one side! Maybe people don’t have our kind of “heavy usage” when they buy one of these trucks, but when you put the fuel tank and the doors on the same side of the truck, you are going to face quite some problems with the balance of the whole vehicle when you are loading it up!

Well after a bit of head scratching, we finally figured out what the problem was and sent the truck back to the dealership, quick as lightning to get them to take a look at the issue and get it fixed on the double! Once they had the spring upgrade, everything was good to go! That being settled, I’d say we are all ready to ramp up our operations and roll out our services to the rest of Illawarra and not anymore chances of the truck falling over at the traffic lights while we’re at it!

Safely packing your dishware for moving and storage.

Safely packing your dishware for moving and storage.

For hundreds of years some of the most cherished items in the family household have been also the most utilized. Dishware and silverware are some of the most important items of daily use in every home. Sometimes quite valuable and often presented as gifts on special occasions such as weddings these important heirlooms require special handling during moving and storage.

When preparing to store utensils and silverware it is important that each item is carefully cleaned and in the case of valuable silverware, they should each be polished with a solution designed for that purpose. To avoid scuffs and dings utensils should not be stacked or bound together tightly without some material in between each item in the next. Many people find that wrapping each utensil in one poll of the cloth napkin before stacking rolling and wrapping the next piece can allow five or six pieces of silverware to be wrapped together securely and safely. These small bundles can be secured with an elastic band but this is usually not necessary if you have numerous bundles pressed against each other in a small box. Historically this box will be wooden to secure against damage from accidental impact during moving.

China and dishware should be wrapped together in small bundles of matching size plates and bowls. For the best protection wrap each plate in one sheet of newspaper or packing paper then secure these plates in bundles of two or three takes securely together to avoid shifting. Place should then be boxed on edge, not flat. It is best that this is a wooden box again, to avoid impact damage during moving. However when the boxes of such size and weight are generally no longer used in moving or storage so make sure your vertically stacked plates are surrounded on all sides by dense packing material such as old clothes, towels or moving blankets. Crushed newspaper or packing peanuts are not suggested as packing. For China or dishware as overtime they tend to settle and lose their protective abilities. Make sure that the box containing your china and dishware is packed snugly so as none of the items inside will shift or move during transport.

Glassware and crystal are especially delicate and therefore require special handling. Never nest glasses or cups inside each other as this can cause breakage from very simple shifts in weight during transportation. Instead wrap each glass individually in newsprint or packing paper be sure to pass over the outer surfaces of the glass at least twice when wrapping. Stemmed glassware and crystal should be placed in the box upright, in the position they would be found standing on the dinner table. As you might expect this will require a large number of boxes to properly protect your glassware and some of the more valuable or fragile items need to be double boxed. This means that the glassware is wrapped as described above, boxed as described above and then back box placed in a larger box filled with packing material. This “double wall” protection provides the greatest security short of a solid wooden box.

How to prepare your precious artwork for storage.

How to prepare your precious artwork for storage.

One of the things customers often need to consider when putting valuable art works in self storage is how to best protect those items from the ravages of time. Fortunately your self storage company does most of the work for you by keeping your items in a climate controlled environment with relative low humidity.

Preparing individual art pieces for self storage is also recommended, and though the requirements of each piece may be unique your artwork for storage is something the average person can do without any training. When you consider the potential upside of increased value of artwork preserved properly over many years the benefits of properly storing your valuable artwork becomes self evident.

One of the greater misconceptions people have about story two-dimensional art such as paintings, prints and photographs is that storing them rolled up in an art tube is one of the better ways to protect them. While a cardboard tube is an excellent solution for many to transport two-dimensional art safely for students over time it can have a deteriorating factor on most paper and canvas artworks.

Two-dimensional artworks should be stored flat, mounted (though not necessarily permanently) on a matte board. The thickness of the board should be strong enough to prevent artwork mounted to it from curling away when mounted vertically. Heavier canvasses will require heavier matte boards. Once mounted artwork should be covered with polyester film thick enough to avoid a casual puncture and is not attached to the artwork itself, rather it is folded over the back of the matte board where it is gently attached with adhesive tape. While it may seem counterintuitive, be careful not to tightly seal the polyester film along all edges where it meets the matte board. Gaps should be left to allow a small amount of air circulation. The folded edges where the polyester film wraps itself around the matte board plenty of protection from changes in humidity.

If your artwork is delicate and easily smudged extra steps may need to be taken. A front frame also made of matte board with a window provided to allow you to see your artwork can be taped into place over the item wrapped in polystyrene film. At this point it is also recommended to place a matte board cover over the front frame. Attach the cover with tape along one side and it becomes a hinge allowing you to easily view your artwork safely stored and at the same time protect its precious surface.

If you have a large number of smaller items printed on paper or canvas such as photographs and postcards they can be stored together in acid-free, cardboard boxes available at almost any art supply store. This allows you to easily access the various items in your collection while keeping them stored safely.

Three-dimensional artwork, such as sculptures will have unique individual needs. Of course of the utmost concern is keeping the artwork safe from crushing or jarring. The fragility of your sculpture will dictate how much protection is required. At the very least any sculpture consisting of any material short of high impact steel should be boxed in cardboard or even wood and surrounded by soft packing material such as crushed packing paper or Styrofoam packing material.

How to Pack a Your Storage Container

How to Pack a Your Storage Container

Now that you’ve secured your storage container with Super Cheap Self Storage, you’ve even set aside all your items for packing. They are all secured inside their packing boxes and all the furniture has been padded. Now how do we get everything inside?

Did you know that there are some things to consider about the loading of your storage container before you actually start hauling things in? Did you consider what items should go in the back versus what items should be on the bottom and on the top? How do you ensure that things stay secure within the storage container while it’s at the storage facility or even while it’s in transit?

These things are very important points to note when you’re looking to put things into storage in the long run. Not just because of the effect of your items being stationery in a single position for long periods of time, but also to facilitate if you ever needed to find things within the depths of your storage unit and also for simple organizational logistics’ sake.

Here are some handy pointers that you may want to write down:

Big items in the center and evenly distributed

Make sure the heavy cupboards and the bed frames and other bulk furniture are placed roughly in the middle of your storage unit. This will help to center the weight of everything and reduce the risk of tilting and shifting while in transit or while in storage. It helps to pad your other smaller objects around this cluster of heavy items so that they will be secured between the solid walls of the furniture and the walls of the container again reducing the amount of movement while the storage unit is on the move.

Fragile items on top or on top of cushions, Heavy items in the bottom

Because you want to maximise space, inevitably, you’re going to end up stacking your items. A good way to make the best of what you’ve got going into storage is to use the soft items like mattresses, cushions, clothing and other padding or soft materials to act as buffers for your more fragile items. This can actually save you a fair amount of money on padding that some companies may charge a bomb for.

Again, keeping the heavy items on the bottom will help to stabilise the unit while everything is in transit. Not only that but you don’t want to accidentally squash anything if you put something heavy up top and it falls over on something while the storage unit is moving. Over time, the effect of gravity can be pretty scary on items which are impressionable and/or malleable, so best to play safe and keep these items closer to the ground where they can do less damage.

Another alternative would be to search for a Storage company or moving company that is willing to provide protective padding for free either for the transit or the duration of your contract for the mobile storage.

Organize the smaller items by room for easier reference when you need to pull things out

Finally, remember to segregate your items into sections where possible. The idea with storage units is that you want your things back eventually. The worst thing that could happen is that you forget what you put in there and have to spend a day or 2 re-sorting everything so that you know what to do with it. So save yourself some time and do it while loading. This is guaranteed to make unpacking a breeze.

Packing up your kitchen appliances for storage.

Packing up your kitchen appliances for storage.

It has long been said that the kitchen is the heart of every home. It is where families come together to share and prepare meals numerous times every day. It is such an essential part of our daily lives that sometimes we forget how very important the utensils and tools we use in the kitchen can be. When preparing your kitchen appliances for self storage it is important that we take special care of these expensive and important items.

Kitchen appliances should be cleaned thoroughly and, very importantly, let to dry completely. Any moisture left on appliances will result in mold or deterioration due to rust. Large appliances such as your refrigerator and your dishwasher should be cleaned inside and out and left open to dry all the interior surfaces completely.

Shelves and racks from the interior of large kitchen appliances should be removed from their normal positions and secured together with string or plastic wrap. You can then place these items back inside the interior of your refrigerator or dishwasher being sure to take them securely so they do not move when your appliance is being transported.

For refrigerators with automatic ice makers it is important to make sure all water has drained from the automatic ice making system. Check your manufacturer’s instructions that came with your refrigerator to find out how to best do this on your particular model. You should also take care to empty the evaporation tray at the base of your refrigerator if your model has one.

The same attention to the drainage of water should be performed on your dishwasher. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to find the drainage ports on your particular model. It may be advisable to flush the system with compressed air through the water intake valve in order to assure a complete emptying of your dishwashers internal plumbing. Again check your manufacturer’s instructions to make sure this is an acceptable method.

When moving such large appliances you will of course want to secure their doors shut completely to avoid damage during transport. However it is important that once these items have reached the self storage facility and you have positioned them where they will be stored that you leave the doors slightly ajar, perhaps secured with a small piece of cardboard providing In the door while a strap goes around the appliance holding the door in a semi open state. This will keep the interior of your appliance safe from the formation of mold or mildew.

Smaller kitchen appliances should be individually wrapped in plastic to protect them from moisture or dirt and placed in boxes alongside any additional attachments these appliances may require. Those appliances with metallic moving parts should be cleaned thoroughly and these metallic surfaces be wiped down with a rag coated in machine oil. This will protect your metallic machine surfaces from rust and grime. All appliances, large and small, should have their electrical cords coiled tightly and bound together with string or plastic ties. Avoid securing your electrical cords with tape. It may be convenient at the time but tape will eventually leave an unsightly sticky residue on the cord after you remove your appliances from storage.

Maximising Your Self Storage Space

Maximising Your Self Storage Space

Most self storage facilities will actually have gone through with you a quick questionnaire to help you gauge the size of a storage unit that would best suit your needs, and we know that now you have the extra space, it seems like you don’t need to worry too much about how to utilize your new self storage unit. But it really doesn’t hurt to take on a bit of organization yourself. Take it from us that it helps to keep items accessible inside to make things easier for you in the long run!

Arrange Items for Easy Access

If you’re going to be packing your self storage unit, it makes sense to have a bit of a think of whether what’s going in needs to come out any time soon. And when you need to access these items, how are you gonna do it? Keep items that are you foresee you’ll need to the front of the unit so you don’t have to wade through items and reorganize things in order to pull the item out. But where possible, try to keep a bit of a path in the centre of the self storage unit so that you can walk through if you need to search for things.

Stack Upwards

While most self storage units are limited in terms of floor space, you can always make the most of your vertical space by stacking upwards. Especially for furniture! Long and bulky items can be stored standing on their sides so they take up less floor space too, chairs should be stacked one on top of another if they fit. Just make sure to be careful by stacking the heavier items at the bottom and lighter things above. We don’t want a tower of things crashing down! You can also ensure that your boxes are sturdy by filling them up fully so that they are more stable and wrapping the more fragile items in bubble wrap to protect them in case there are any accidents!

Fill up all the Holes

We hope that you still have a fair bit of space let in your self storage unit to walk in and out of, but in the case that you’re really going for the kill with this one and filling her up to the brim, make sure you spot those holes and use them! Towels, bedsheets and pillows and other soft cloth material items can be packed into trash bags to keep them clean and stuffed into empty spaces.

Don’t discount underneath and behind couches, bedframes and cabinets – these are good cubbies for long and thin items like brooms and other long-handled items. You can also find a lot of empty spaces inside cupboards and drawers. Even inside old refrigerators and washing machines there is a lot of hidden real estate where you can stow away things in too!

Do take the time to look through your things and make out an inventory if you’re unsure of how much space you really need. As we mentioned, most self storage companies would be happy to help you calculate the volume of your things and set you up with a self storage unit that’s sure to meet your needs! But otherwise, with a little arrangement, we know that you can keep things in order so you still have lots of space in time to come!

Simple steps for mattress and box spring storage.

Simple steps for mattress and box spring storage.

If there is one piece of furniture that does not respect to to its amount of continuous use and abuse it is the humble mattress. Everyone has a favorite chair, or position at the dining room table where it is easy to overlook the most used item in the household. Used constantly for eight hours (or more) on a daily basis the modern mattress is a delicate piece of engineering ingenuity. In order to maintain a high level of comfort and usefulness over years or even decades proper care and storage of your mattress and box spring is essential.

Whether you intend to store your mattress for only a few months to many years protecting the surface of your bedroom furniture centerpiece is the primary concern. While you want to keep your mattress safe from stains, water and the dirt and grime that accompanies any move it is important to allow your mattress and box spring to breathe while in its protective wrapping. This will help prevent your stored mattress from becoming susceptible to mold and mildew which grows eagerly in an environment of trapped humidity. Of course your self storage facility will provide a climate controlled and secure location for your furniture storage, so your main concern in wrapping your mattress is simple surface protection.

The best option for protecting the surface of your mattress while in storage is a breathable plastic mattress storage bag. These are commonly available at any mattress store, or furniture dealer who sells bedroom furniture. They can also be purchased from moving companies, and self storage facilities. The construction of these bags is of a specific design that protects the mattress and box spring from the elements and insects while allowing the items inside to breathe.

Once you have your mattress properly wrapped it is time to consider the length of time you hope to store your mattress. If you are self storing your mattress and box spring for less than six months is commonly acceptable to store them vertically, like books on a shelf. For this relatively short amount of time you should not expect any long-term degradation of the structure of your mattress. On the other hand if you intend to store your mattress for a time longer than six months you need to consider that gravity will be exerting a continual pull on your sideways stacked mattress. The springs and filling of your mattress will be drawn down toward the floor possibly resulting in a permanent change to the structure of your mattress, ruining its comfort and usability. For the long term storage of mattresses and box springs the best option is to store them horizontally in the same position as they were designed to be used.

When you retrieve your mattress and box spring from storage take the time to air them out before use. A simple procedure, just remove the mattress bag from around the mattress and let it stand vertically in a well ventilated area where air is allowed to pass over each exposed side for at least a few hours. This will allow the mattress to dissipate any stale air smells, allowing you a more comfortable experience when it’s time to lay down your head.

How To Prepare Furniture For Removal

How To Prepare Furniture For Removal

You can save money by preparing and moving your furniture yourself into the self storage unit. Moving furniture can be tricky, especially large pieces, so it does take a bit of preparation to ensure you do not damage your valuable furniture in the move. The following tips will help you to prepare, safely move, and store your furniture.

Disassemble First

Disassemble every piece of furniture you possibly can. Your flat pack wardrobe will travel and store much better if it is in pieces. Keep the segments of each piece of furniture together and label each piece. Keep the assembly instructions and all the screws together in a small plastic bag taped to one of the larger pieces of furniture. Always dismantle your bed, taking the headboard apart from the rest. Most beds are easy to dismantle when you need to.

Not only will it take up less space to store your furniture flatly if you disassemble it first, it will be easier to transport. Look at chairs, tables, and wardrobes to see if you can disassemble any of the furniture. Take the drawers out of the cupboards and transport these separately.

Store Cushions and Parts in Plastic Bags

Put all fabric cushions in strong plastic bags, such as triple strength garbage bags. Stick labels on to the bags to show what is inside the bag. This will help you when you go to unpack your storage unit down the track. You may like to include some moth balls when you store fabric items to prevent moths from attacking your valuable furniture and clothing.

Wax Fine Wood

Make sure you wax all the fine woodwork you have before the move. A fine layer of wax will prevent scratches as you move and store the furniture.

Check the Accessways

When you move furniture, especially the large pieces you cannot dismantle, you can have difficulty in getting the furniture out of your house. Fortunately, you won’t have the same problem with the storage unit, as the roller door will be large enough for your furniture. You may need to remove doors from hinges or even use a window to get large pieces of furniture out of your home. Measure and check the path before you lift the furniture. Make sure there is nothing you can trip over as you carry the heavy load. Remember, you may need to twist some furniture to take it out sideways, so give yourself a clear path.

Use Blankets and Sheets to Protect the Furniture

Use soft blankets and sheets to separate furniture pieces in transit. Ensure your furniture is roped or secured to the sides of the truck to prevent movement during the move. You do not want to scratch your furniture by having it rub against another piece in transit.

Store Carefully to Avoid Scratches

As you move your furniture into the storage unit, make sure you stack it carefully to avoid scratches. You may like to use sheets or pieces of plastic to protect your furniture while it is in the storage unit. Be careful what you stack on top of fragile pieces of furniture.

Moving and storing furniture is not always easy, but with some careful preparation and thought, you can save money by moving your furniture yourself. Store your furniture in such a way that you will be able to enjoy it for many years after you empty your storage unit.

How To Pack Appliances

How To Pack Appliances

Packing appliances is practically an art form. If you think about how much some appliances cost, you’ll agree it’s an art worth learning. Whether you’re packing for self storage or a big move, this is something you really need to get right, first time and all the time.

Packing basics

The first thing to do is some risk evaluation. Computers, gaming consoles and TVs need special care, and so do their peripherals.

• Containers: You will require solid containers, preferably strong materials like heavy duty cardboard or even wood. (Two ply can be a bit too brittle, particularly if there’s a lot of handling involved. The containers must be significantly bigger than the appliances, because otherwise the appliances are exposed to direct impacts.
• Interior packing: Never put appliances directly on the base of a container. If they’re dropped, transfer shock is instant, and more likely than not it’ll trash the appliance. The bottom of the container should be lined with Styrofoam, packing beads, or something similar, to a depth of at least 5cm (2 inches, roughly) and the appliance should sit comfortably on this base. (Shredded paper is fine, but needs to be about twice as thick. Whole newspapers and magazines can also work, just keep the bedding stable.)
• Packing around appliances- Very important: Each of these items must be supported and protected on all sides, top and bottom. Just do it, and you’ll save yourself money as well as a lot of cursing. Be patient, and make sure the appliances are packed so they’re surrounded with cover and not able to jolt around inside the container.
• Bubble wrap: The old reliable bubble wrap is perfect for appliances, and re-usable for years. Use very large sheets, and wrap the appliance horizontally and vertically completely at least twice.
• Sealing the appliances: There’s one risk most people never suspect, when packing appliances- Moisture. A humid day or simple lack of ventilation can cause problems. The packing needs to be air tight, which will also control the moisture issues.
• Original boxes. Some appliance boxes, like TV shipping boxes are OK, some are unspeakably lousy. The basic requirements are solidity, and you still need to pack them properly. (If you’ve still got their original packing, that’ll be good, but again, make sure they’re stable and not in direct contact with the container surfaces.

Storage containers

Most people think that the big storage containers solve the storage issue. They don’t. They’re designed to make handling and storage easier, not packing. In storage, they’re space savers. They solve the big issue of having a large container, but they can get complicated when you’re packing. The best options aren’t simple, but they will take your appliances safely to where they need to go.

You will need:

• Packing tape, and tons of it.
• Lots of packing materials
• Good strong smaller containers

The load inside the storage container should be well balanced, with the heavier stuff under the lighter materials. Do not put anything in a position in which the weight of a heavy appliance can move against it and crush it.