Drawers are a fantastic way to compartmentalize one’s belongings. But, it can also get real messy, real fast… Especially if you clean with the “out of sight, out of mind” approach. From office desk drawers to “junk” drawers, let us teach you how to reverse the entropy in those pesky little compartments in 4 easy steps. 

1: Emptying and Dusting the Drawers

Emptying out the drawer is a great idea to understand what exactly has been packing inside. Although you can still attempt to organize the drawer with all your belongings inside, it won’t be as effective to declutter for step 2, and be especially difficult for cleaning the dust out of the drawer itself.

Next, use a handheld vacuum or hose attachment to remove the dust that has accumulated inside. After all the dust has been removed, you can move onto using a cleaning spray on the drawer and subsequently wiping it clean with a microfiber cloth. If you spot any stubborn stains, baking soda and a wet brush works as a gentle exfoliant.

2: Sorting & Decluttering

Now, turn your attention to your pile of belongings you’ve removed from the drawer and categorize the items on utility. This is a great way to determine if you should actually keep the items. As you’re doing this, keep an eye out for items that are damaged and sort those into items that you would fix, recycle, or throw away. 

Although it can be tough to say goodbye to your possessions, here are 4 helpful questions to help you decide if you should keep your possessions. 

1. Have you used the item within the last six months? 
2. Do you foresee yourself using this item in the near future? Some seasonal items are exceptions to rule 1, as they can be cycled between storage and drawers as necessary. 
3. Would you purchase this item again? If not, and you’ve said no to rules 1 and 2, it’s time to let it go.
4. Would you keep the item if you were movin? If not, it’s time to say goodbye. 

Finally, consider the size of your drawer. If it’s a small drawer, don’t expect to keep more items than what you are able to fit within it. As for the no-pile, they can be sold at a garage sale or donated to a local charity shop. 

3: Designating space for the organized items

Similar to the previous tip, it is important to organize the drawers to make sure you have enough space for everything you’re choosing to keep, and that you’re able to categorize these items efficiently. 

For example, if you have a drawer full of power tools, screws, and mail, consider removing the mail into another safe place in your office drawer. Similarly, instead of folding hoodings and placing it into a dresser, the most efficient use of space would be hanging it up. The bottom line is that you’re keeping only the essentials in your home, and you’re doing so in a way that maximizes the space you have. 

4: Getting creative in categorizing your belongings

You’re all set in organizing your drawers and deciding what to keep. For items that are small and may require further sorting, the next step may be to think about getting dividers to keep things neat. Drawer liners are a great choice in dividing the space into usable sections, and they are also great in helping to minimize dust. A liner without holes is great for preventing any dust accumulation on the drawer underneath, and it is also easier to clean than going back to step 1. 

However, if you are on a tight budget, shoe boxes and cereal boxes are great make-shift containers for organizing dresser drawers. The bottom of cereal boxes are great too for storing silverware and utensils. Egg cartons and ice-cube trays are also a good method for storing smaller items, such as jewelry, on a budget.

And finally…

There you have it! Four steps to cleaning and organizing your drawer. However, if you’re someone who has gone through these four steps and still aren’t able to part with their belongings, it may be time to look into a self-storage unit to tidy your belongings. And conveniently – these 4 steps are great for organizing your drawers in the storage unit too!

At U-Lock Mini Storage, we have storage facilities across Greater Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Our facilities include self storage Victoria, self storage Parksville, self storage Nanaimo, self storage Burnaby, self storage White Rock and Surrey, and self storage Chilliwack. Contact us if you have any questions!

Life is unpredictable and you never know when you might need  a long term storage. Maybe you’re relocating for a new job and need to put your items away, or maybe you are a store owner who needs a place to store the seasonal merchandise (afterall, there isn’t much demand for skiing equipment in the summer months). Or, some people prefer to store large items such as cars, boats, and RV’s in a long term storage because it takes up a lot of space in their home. 

Regardless of the reason for why you need a long term storage, it can be dizzying to choose from so many options of long term storage, but not all of the choices will suit your needs. Read on to find out 6 important factors you should consider to make sure you chose the best long term storage unit for your needs! 

1.The location of the facility & its accessibility

The distance of the long term storage should be carefully considered because it determines how accessible your trips will be. Unlike short-term storage, you can expect to travel back and forth a lot to retrieve your items in long term storage. How important is it to have a storage close to you? Are you willing to go for a more distant, but storage plan that is of better value? These are important questions to answer so you make the best choice for both your gas and storage budget. At U-Lock Mini Storage, we have storage facilities across Greater Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Our facilities include self storage Victoria, self storage Parksville, self storage Nanaimo, self storage Burnaby, self storage White Rock and Surrey, and self storage Chilliwack.

2.The Hours of operation & your personal schedule

Factoring in the facility’s hour of operation allows you to determine if you can access the storage unit at a time that is convenient for you. For example, if you are someone who works long hours during the day and the storage unit follows a strict 9 to 5 work day, it will make it very difficult for you to find the time to retrieve your belongings without sacrificing work hours. Ideally, we would recommend a storage unit that offers access on weekends or past work hours. 

3. The Finances & The “Fine-Print”

There is often flexibility in paying by the month or by the week, and sometimes there may even be “freebie” storage months if you are a long term client. On the other hand, if you’re not sure how long you’d want to keep your items in storage, make sure to find out if you’re able to terminate the contract anytime without penalty. It is always in your best interest to pay attention to these details so you are storing your items on your terms, and not the other way around.

3. The Safety & Security of the Unit

While all storage units offer some level of protection, not all security measures were made equal and you should consider what levels of protection you are comfortable with for your belongings. The security can range from a simple lock on the unit, to ones that include additional 24-hour digital surveillance in a brightly lit environment. It is never a bad idea to double check with the security measures before signing a contract with your chosen facility.

4. Insurance Options for the Storage Unit 

If you have insured your items through a third-party insurance policy, you may need to check if those items are still protected when they are placed in a storage unit. If not, you may need to opt for a storage facility that offers additional insurance policies to protect your belongings. These policies usually cover losses such as water damages, theft, and will properly compensate you if the unfortunate events do happen. Plus, it can offer your great peace of mind to know that your items have an additional layer of protection in the storage unit.

5. Past Reviews and Ratings 

Last but not least, past review ratings paint an honest picture of what you can expect when you trust the long term storage with your belongings. Even if you are signing with an established storage facility, it is still important to double check with your specific location. 

Websites like Yelp or Facebook can give you an idea of the storage unit’s services from the customer’s point of view, or even asking for friends’ and neighbours’ recommendations are a good way to gauge whether or not you should go with a certain storage unit.

And there you have it – 6 important things to consider when choosing a long term storage unit. You are now all set to find an option that works the best for you!