It’s important to ensure you correctly place your belongings into storage as certain items may require different methods of storage to keep them in tip-top condition. AAA Storage Ballina and Alstonville has put together a useful guide to help keep your possessions as safe as they can be.
Video Games
Video games have come a long way over the years. From the old style PacMan consoles to Donkey Kong, Super Mario and Minecraft. These games can represent a substantial investment and some even become more valuable over time!
However, it is possible to accumulate a large collection of video games if you are a serious gamer or have a lot of children’s video games to store. Video games can take up valuable space in your living area after they have outlived their popularity. You will want to put them into storage so they are safe and secure and you can protect your investment into the future. A storage unit with AAA Storage Ballina and Alstonville will ensure your video games are still there for you to enjoy in years to come.
Before putting your video games into storage there are a few things you should do. First, make sure you clean them. They should be free of dust or debris which will reduce the risk of damage during storage, especially if they will be there for a long time. The best way to clean CD’s is with a microfibre cloth. Cartridges are best cleaned with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol and rubbed on the contacts. Make sure all your games are completely dry before putting into storage.
To avoid scratches and damage, the best way to store video games is in their original case. If you don’t have the original case, at least put them into a disk sleeve for protection. An empty DVD or CD case is a good way to keep your video games safe and organised.
Air-tight plastic containers are the best way to store your video games. Clear plastic tubs are a good idea, so you can find what you are looking for quickly should you need to access your games. Arrange the video games into the boxes carefully, group by genre, and don’t make the tubs too heavy. Also, don’t overload your boxes as accumulated weight can damage items in the bottom boxes.
When storing video consoles, there are some precautions you should take. Cords should be wrapped up individually and labeled with tape. This will take away all the confusion when trying to re-connect everything and ensures no cords will get lost. Put all the cords together in a zip lock bag to protect them from moisture and pests. Also wrap the console in plastic for protection. Controllers should also be wrapped in plastic and stored in a container with an air tight lid.
If you are a serious gamer, then you will have played and accumulated some impressive video games over the years. Storing your video games securely means they will stand the test of time and you can go back years later to play some of your favourite and greatest games of the past. Even in five or ten years time, these games will be just as much fun to play as they ever were. Enjoy your video games for years to come by keeping them safe and secure in storage with AAA Storage Ballina.
Motorbikes
Motorbike enthusiasts understand there is nothing like the freedom of riding your bike on a beautiful spring or summers day. However, at the end of your ride you will want to store your beloved motorbike somewhere safe and secure. Motorbikes can represent a valuable and significant investment. AAA Storage Ballina and Alstonville can provide safe and secure storage for your motorbike.
A storage unit with AAA Storage Ballina is perfect for your motorbike because our metal walls and doors provide protection against common weather events such as hail and are completely flood-free. The northern rivers area of New South Wales sometimes has a volatile climate including severe storms and flooding. Keeping your motorbike in secure storage keeps it safe from all the elements.
You might want to consider investing in a cover for your motorbike while it is in storage. This will protect your bike from dust and condensation. Specialist bike and auto stores sell motorbike covers which are durable and a perfect fit for your bike. Some are just throw over covers. Others need to be secured. These covers area easy to use and remove whenever you want to take your bike for a ride.
When a beautiful spring day beckons, you will want to access your motorbike straight away. With easy 24/7 access, you can take your bike out anytime night or day. AAA Storage Ballina has ample sized units making it easy to maneuver your bike in and out. With drive-up access, you can ride right in! Whether you live in Alstonville, Wollongbar, Ballina or Lismore, your motorbike will only be about 15 minutes away!
If you will not be using your motorbike for a long period of time, finding safe and secure storage is incredibly important. Since it will most likely be one of the most valuable things you own, you need to ensure it is safe and kept out of the elements as much as possible. A storage unit with AAA Storage Alstonville is the best way to keep your motorbike in top condition.
Remember, the fuel tank of your motorbike should be drained prior to storage for safety reasons, as fuel is a highly flammable substance.
Clothing
You’ve done a Marie Kondo but you still have lots of loved and useful clothing you need to put into storage. Maybe you’re relocating or downsizing and your wardrobes aren’t quite large enough or you have lots of out of season clothing that needs to be stored.
One way to put your clothing into storage with AAA Storage Alstonville is to use a Port-a-robe. Port-a-robes are essentially a large moving box which enables you to hang your valuable clothes. This will protect your garments from damage during transit and storage. The packing materials in a port-a-robe allows airflow through the box, helping to avoid moisture being trapped inside.
Vacuum storage bags are also a great idea. If you fold your clothes and carefully place them into a vacuum storage bag you will be able to ensure your garments are protected from moisture, mould and vermin. Vacuum storage bags are also great space savers and can triple your storage space!
When storing clothing in a storage unit, you should still take all the necessary precautions to prevent damage from moisture, pests and bugs. Use moth balls, cedar chips, surface spray and peppermint oil to keep everything smelling fresh.
Couches
Storing a couch is often essential if you are moving house or renovating. It is often the most bulky item of your furniture to put into storage. If storing for an extended period of time, you will want to make sure your couch comes out of storage in good condition. There are some tips you should follow before you put your couch into storage.
Firstly, make sure you give it a good clean. The best option is to have your couch professionally cleaned but with good cleaning products, you can do it yourself or even just spot clean. If you have a fabric couch, check the tag to ensure you follow the cleaning guidelines. Leather lounges may require a specialist leather protector and/or restorer product to clean and condition it properly. A microfiber cloth can be used to polish leather lounges or just use vinegar or olive oil if it only needs a light clean. However, it is important that your couch is completely dry before you put it into storage to avoid damage due to mould.
To prepare your couch for storage it is best to disassemble it first if possible. You should remove the cushions and feet for easier transportation. The feet can be wrapped in bubble wrap and put into a bag which is then put inside the couch so you can easily find them when you need to put the couch back together. Cushions should be wrapped in bubble wrap or plastic. For short term storage, use plastic bags or plastic couch covers. Drop cloths or quilted covers are recommended for long term storage as they allow for air circulation and prevent mould and mildew. It is also a good idea to place a dry sack in with your cushions and couch cover to prevent them from absorbing moisture. It is also best to store the couch off the floor by using pallets or blocks of wood. This is best practice for anything you put into storage. At AAA Storage Ballina, our units are clean and secure, but accidents do happen, and you want to make sure all of your items are protected in the event of a leakage or spill.
It is not a good idea to store your couch on its side if it is going to be in storage for a long time as this can warp the frame. It is also best not to stack too many things on top of your couch and try to keep space between your items to allow air circulation. Storage units at AAA Storage Ballina and Alstonville are spacious enough to accommodate a large couch without the need to stand it on its side.
If you have a precious or heirloom couch, consider taking out appropriate insurance or check that it is covered under your existing home and contents policy. Even the best-kept storage unit can have a pest problem. Make sure your insurance policy covers pest damage.
When storing for the long term, try to visit your unit on a regular basis or have someone do it for you. You can put out your own bug traps or spray and check for rodents. You can also refresh your unit with things like peppermint oil, moth balls or cedar chips.
Refrigerators
One of the most common household appliances to be put into storage is a refrigerator. It is important to take the necessary steps before putting your refrigerator into storage in order to avoid mould, odours and pests.
In general, refrigerators store well in a storage unit. The most problems occur during transit or moving into a storage unit. A refrigerator can be permanently damaged if it is dropped or put on its side, so getting it into a storage unit with easy access is highly desirable. AAA Storage Ballina has storage units with drive-up access minimizing the need for you or your removalist to carry your refrigerator long distances.
Before you put your refrigerator into storage, it should be thoroughly cleaned and de-frosted. If you don’t do this properly, it may be unusable by the time you go to retrieve it from your storage unit. Or worse still, a leak from your refrigerator may damage other items you have in storage. A clean fridge is less likely to develop mould and will not attract pests such as ants and rodents which can damage the electronic components of the fridge.
First, be sure to unplug your fridge as this starts the defrosting process. Pull the fridge out of its nook so you can access the sides and rear. Use an old towel on the floor to catch any dripping water. Try do defrost your fridge about a week before you intend to move it. While the fridge is defrosting you can clean out the inside and the back of the appliance. Be sure to remove all food and debris. Take out drawers and shelves which can be cleaned separately. Large pieces can be soaked and cleaned in a bath tub using regular dishwashing detergent. The inside of the fridge can be wiped with a mixture of baking soda and water. Do not use ammonia or bleach or any other abrasive cleaning products. The coils on the rear of the fridge can be dusted using a brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner or a dry cloth.
It is important to keep your refrigerator upright at all times. You will probably need a trolley or moving straps to lift the refrigerator and it should be transported upright. If you do move it on an angle you should let the unit sit for at least 48 hours before plugging it back in again. This allows the coolant fluid in the fridge to settle down again.
When your fridge is in storage be sure to leave the door slightly ajar to prevent a build-up of moisture and mould. Even a fridge that you consider to be totally dry can attract mildew if there is not enough air circulation. You don’t want to discover any bad odours or an unusable fridge when the time comes for you to retrieve it from your storage unit.
For more helpful hints on how to prepare specific household items for storage, please visit the AAA Storage Ballina and Alstonville website: www.aaastorageonline.com.au