Month: July 2016

Categories
Articles

4 Ways To Live More Green

Small actions can create huge results, especially when it comes to the environment. There are so many ways we can help our environment and our wallet by being more conservative with our usages of the things around us.

Here are 4 easy ways for you to become more green around your home:

Changing A Light Bulb

Installing a compact fluorescent light bulb in your home is the easiest way to save energy as well as money! Unlike incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs convert most of the energy they use into light rather than producing heat.

Do Full Loads of Laundry

Instead of washing a few items of clothing at a time, try doing larger loads of laundry to help save water. By combining half-loads, choosing sorter cycles, and using cold or warm rather than hot water will rack up savings quickly.

Use Reusable Bags

By using reusable bags you do not have to take plastic bags which become very harmful to the planet. You can easily get reusable bags at any grocery store and some stores will even give you a discount when you shop using reusable bags!

Eat Locally

Support your local farmers by shopping locally for your produce. Buying locally grown foods can also reduce the pollution and energy used from transporting, storing, and refrigerating foods.

We at Harrisburg Self Storage care about the environment and we do everything we can do reduce our carbon footprint.

 

Categories
Storage Tips

Repairing Imperfections in Wooden Furniture

If you’re the owner of wooden furniture, you’ve likely noticed that it has picked up various nicks and scratches over the years. Your solid, utilitarian wood furniture has stood the test of time but it has not done so unscathed. Like a good warrior, it continues in battle but has picked up a few scratches and nicks along the way. Much of this damage is superficial, and with a little love and elbow grease, almost any work of wood can be restored to its former glory through a few simple, easy fixes that are as easy on the wood as they are on your wallet.

Before tackling any repairs, be sure to first clean the furniture thoroughly with water and soft dishwashing soap to remove all stains and grease. Then, take stock of what needs to be done; your lovable wooden artifice will probably have been the victim of any or all of water rings, surface scratches, deep scratches, and then various dings and nicks. Address these in order of severity, beginning with the water rings left behind by sweaty beverages. If these blemishes don’t yield to the power of soapy water and elbow grease, consider employing baking soda, petroleum jelly, or even mayonnaise! All have their advocates. Minor scratches to the finish can be corrected with the application of a solution consisting of equal parts lemon juice and cooking oil. For deeper nicks and scratches that expose the wood, you can actually fill the scratch with the meat of an almond or walnut. The oil inside the nuts can make some scratches appear nearly invisible. You can also colour in the scratch with tea bags, coffee grounds or wax crayons, among other things, to disguise the blemish and make the surface appear uniform again. If all else fails, you can always cover any imperfections with your favourite coaster or tablecloth.

If you need to store your furniture, give us a call today!

Categories
Our Storage Facility

Storage Auctions

When storage renters don’t pay their rent auctions happen. In the state of Pennsylvania, the lien law allows self storage operators to place a lien on the contents of a unit once the rent has become a full 30 days past due. Harrisburg Self Storage and Stop and Store York have auctions many times each year.

We give reminders, warnings and notices to each late paying renter and we advertise the auction.  Renters are able and encouraged to stop the process at any time by making payment – even in the hours before the auctions starts.  The auction is cancelled and the over-lock is removed.

How are auctions conducted?  They are open to the public but our staff and their immediate families cannot bid. The auctioneer opens the unit and gives people time to stand at the door and visually examine the contents – they can’t enter the unit or touch any item.

The auctioneer will begin the sale with a minimum bid. Attendees are bidding on all the contents inside the unit, not individual items. When auctioneer feels the price won’t go any higher he awards the sale to the highest bidder. Payment has to be in cash within the hour.

Does the storage facility make a profit?   We never profit. Sale prices only rarely exceed what is owed. However, when bids are very high, we take what we are owed and the excess is sent to the renter.  If we cannot locate the tenant to refund the proceeds, we send the proceeds to the unclaimed property division of the Pennsylvania state government. Stop and Store York and Harrisburg Self Storage only retain the original debt of the tenant.

Keep in mind that storage facilities never want to auction the contents of a unit. If you have a problem which leaves you short to pay then talk to us. Come by or call us and arrange some payment terms to avoid an auction sale.

Categories
Storage Tips

Choosing a Moving Company

Moving is stressful occurrence, but choosing the right moving company can help ease the worry. A moving company will make the process easier on you and your family. Finding a moving company that you trust is essential.  Follow the below tips when choosing a moving company to make sure you find the one that fits your needs:

 

  • Look around a few different places for moving companies. Ask friends, ask storage facilities, google the area, and check Angie’s List. In York Pennsylvania stop by the office for recommendation.
  • Do an initial screening of the company to check their viability and features. Ask if they are insured, if they background check employees, how long they have been in business, if they have the proper licenses to cross state lines, etc.
  • Get a written copy of inventory on moving day from the movers.
  • When your belongings arrive at your new home, immediately check for any damages/missing items.

 

Packing your belongings is always part of the process when moving. The last thing you want to happen when you arrive at your new location is to have broken or damaged belongings.  Below are moving tips to make sure your belongings arrive safely at their new home and to make the process easier:

 

  • Disassemble larger furniture if possible. This will help to save space in the moving trucks, allowing you to fit more of your belongings in a smaller area.
  • Use zip lock bags or small containers for parts, such as the bolts or screws from furniture. Attach the container/bag to the object it came from so that it’s easier to put back together.

Harrisburg Storage can help you find the right moving company, give us a call today!