Victoria U-Lock Mini Storage is currently accepting new toys for CFAX Santas Anonymous until December 14, 2018. You can drop off your donations during our office hours of Mon-Fri 9:30am-6pm and Sat-Sun 9am-5pm. Every December, CFAX Santas Anonymous hands out Christmas hampers containing toys, clothing, food, and other gifts to local families living in poverty.
With your help, CFAX Santas Anonymous can put food on the table and gifts under the tree for those that are struggling during the holiday season. They are asking generous members of the Greater Victoria community to donate new toys, clothing, and other items to help fulfill the Christmas wishes of local families and make sure every child wakes up to a Christmas Day with presents and food. CFAX Santas Anonymous are requesting new toys for children of all ages, but due to the supply of stuffed animals they currently have, they are requesting no stuffed animals this year.
Volunteer
Volunteers of all ages are welcome!
Click here for more information of how you can contribute to the cause.
Kick off this holiday season by touring an extraordinary lust forest of beautiful trees hand-decorated by local business organizations and individuals. Starting November 15, 2018 and running until January 7, 2019, the 27th Annual Festival of Trees will be hosted at the Bay Centre in Victoria, BC. All proceeds raised through the event go towards the urgent care needs of children in BC, including advancing research, needed equipment, and vital programs tailored to the needs of kids at BC Children’s Hospital, Sunny Health Centre for Children and the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute.
Community Support
U-Lock Mini Storage has been a sponsor of the Festival of Trees since 2008. As a supporting sponsor, we can give back to our community and do our part to help children in need of urgent health care across the province. Our community is only as strong as its members, but when we work together to give back, we can ensure that the BC Children’s Hospital can continue to push boundaries, change the future of care, and better the lives of the families that call our community home. Together, we can create new possibilities.
U-Lock Mini Storage Tree
Visit the Bay Centre between November 15, 2018 and January 7, 2019 to vote for your favourite tree. We will be sponsoring a tree that will be decorated on our behalf by the volunteers behind Anney’s Closet, an award-winning project of Soroptimist International of Victoria Westshore (SIVW). The tree will be decorated in a theme that represents the clients they help. Using the storage units donated by U-Lock Mini Storage at our location in Victoria, Anney’s Closet has created a free store using household items donated by the local community for woman and girls in need of household items and help them transform their new apartments into functional and comfortable homes.
Visit our Facebook page to see our decorated trees from previous years!
To vote for our tree in the People’s Choice award, you can visit the Bay Centre and vote in person, or visit the BC Children’s Hospital website and vote by donation to our tree.
Click here if you wish to donate to the BC Children’s Hospital
There are a few reasons why you may find yourself needing rug storage. Perhaps you just moved, but have no space for it, inherited a family heirloom, reorganized your space, purchased an awesome find you just couldn’t pass up, or simply do not need an area rug right now. Whatever the reason may be, you will need proper storage. Rugs may not seem all that fragile, but if not stored properly, rugs and carpets crack, warp, or deteriorate from damage caused by moisture, mould and mildew, and bugs.
When preparing your rug for storage, follow these 6 steps:
1. Vacuum your rug
Vacuum both sides of the rug to remove deposited soil, food residue, dust mites, and pet dander. If the rug is small enough, you can take it outside and gently shake it out as well.
2. Wash and Tackle Stains
Always clean your rug based on the manufacturer-approved instruction before putting it into storage. Prevent potential dry rot and warping of the rug by thoroughly cleaning and removing dirt, residue, and contaminants that have nestled into the foundation of the rug. A thorough washing will also ensure that no bugs may be catching a ride with your rug into storage. Tackling stains will depend on your rug:
Woven or braided rugs: Small braided rugs and woven rugs can be washed in the washing machine. If there is a label, always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Put the rug into a mesh laundry pouch and wash on the gentle cycle and tumble-dry on a low setting. Large braided carpets that cannot be machine-washed can be cleaned using a cloth and suitable carpet cleaning foam. Or, you may consider having it dry cleaned.
Natural fiber rugs (sisal, seagrass, jute, and hemp): Clean with little water because natural fibre rugs absorb moisture, which makes them difficult to dry. If not dried thoroughly, water can leave natural fiber rugs severely damaged as they will shrink and distort. Using a white cloth, spot-clean stains using a gentle cleaner, such as soapy water or cleansing solution made from 1 teaspoon of detergent (without bleach), 1 teaspoon of white vinegar, and lukewarm water. Gently blot the cleaner on the stain and blot the area dry. Use a fan to dry the rug quickly and thoroughly. Always test spot a small area first.
Fur and hide rugs: Should be cleaned without water. Cover the rug with an unscented talcum powder and leave it for a couple of hours. You can then gently brush (in the direction of the grain or hair growth) and shake the powder out. Repeat this process several times as needed.
3. Roll your rug
Do not fold your rug because the undue stress can lead to creases, cracks, or warping in the rug. Instead, roll your rug into a cylinder:
To create a tight roll, it is recommended that you roll the rug from the bottom end first. The best way to locate the bottom is to run your hand across the rug and see which direction your hand is moving with the grain and against the grain. Moving with the grain will lead you to the top of the rug and moving against the grain will lead you to the bottom.
Pile in or out? The condition of the rug will determine. Generally, the pile is much more vulnerable than the foundation, so most rugs can be safely rolled with the pile inward.
4. Wrap your rug
Before placing your rug into storage, wrap it to protect it against dust and to keep bugs out. Use brown craft paper or Tyvek paper. Both breathe and allow moisture to escape. Do not use plastic, it does not breathe and traps moisture, which can damage natural fibers and cause odor problems.
5. Store your rug
It is best to store carpets off the floor and vertically on end in a climate-controlled space. To avoid cracks in the foundation or damage to the shape of the rug, do not lay anything on top of the rug.
6. Check your rug
If possible, try to check your rug every couple of months. Unroll your rug and inspect it for signs of damage or evidence of infestation. Checking on your rug regularly is the best step you can take to prevent potential damage.
There you have it! Follow these 6 essential steps and you can make sure your rug stays in great condition until you are ready for it again.
