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  • Spring Cleaning Tips/Tricks

    When spring arrives, it feels good to shake off the winter doldrums by giving our homes a good cleaning. Are there rooms in your home you feel like you should be cleaning better? We’ve got some tips and tricks for spring cleaning that will maximize the effectiveness of your efforts!

    • Start at the doorways. Spring is a great time to switch out your doormat. When you do, put a doormat inside the door as well as outside to help keep dirt out of your home. To clean doormats, hose off the outside doormat and let it dry in the sun. Vacuum the indoor doormat, then flip it over and vacuum the underside to help free trapped dirt so you can vacuum it off of the floor.
    • Do your windows. Windows are best washed on an overcast day because direct sun can cause streaking. Wipe with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth, then dust the blinds or shades.
    • Head to the kitchen. Spring clean your kitchen by tackling the following areas:
      • The kitchen sink: if your kitchen drain smells bad, run some slivers of lemon rind through the disposal and follow it with cold water, or pour in some vinegar to refresh it.
      • Microwave: Clean your microwave by filling a large microwave-safe bowl with a cup of water and some chopped-up citrus or several tablespoons of vinegar. Microwave it on high until it boils, then let it cool for five minutes before opening the door. You should be able to quickly and easily wipe away stubborn stains with a sponge.
      • Granite Countertops: From time to time, use granite polish to restore the shine to your surfaces and help repel stains. Daily, wipe them down with a specialized cleaner.
      • Refrigerator: Deep clean removable bins and shelves by taking them out and washing in warm, soapy water.
      • Pots and pans: Remove burned on residue by simmering water with dish liquid on the stove, then wiping away anything that remains. Here’s a hack: ketchup, with a pinch of salt, will remove tarnish from copper cookware.
      • Oven: If your oven isn’t self-cleaning, place a hot, wet cloth on the burned spots to soften them, then scrub with baking powder and a heavy duty pad before rinsing and wiping dry.
      • Cabinets: Kitchen grime, a mixture of dust and grease, often coats cabinets. Running the exhaust hood while you’re cooking can minimize this, but while you’re spring cleaning, use special kitchen cabinet cleaners to cut through dirt without damaging the wood.
      • Stainless steel appliances: A solution of 1 tsp dish detergent and 1 quart of hot water, rubbed on with a microfiber cloth, will bring the sparkle back to your stainless steel surfaces. Rinse with hot water and dry immediately.
      • Junk drawer: Empty the drawer, then vacuum out the dust and crumbs. Sort through the contents before returning them in a more orderly fashion.
    • Freshen up your living spaces. Vacuum the whole house, pulling furniture away from walls and vacuuming behind and underneath it. Vacuum the woodwork and the air vents, then switch to the upholstery tool and vacuum the furniture. Toss your window treatments and throw pillows into the dryer for 15 minutes on air-only, and then hang quickly so they won’t wrinkle. Take everything off the bookshelves and organize it, dusting the shelves before putting it back. Give the ceiling fans, hanging and recessed lights a good cleaning, and dust your molding.
    • Move on to the bathrooms. Wash plastic or vinyl shower curtains in the washer on the gentle cycle with a few bath towels, then let them hang dry before showering. Declutter your makeup cabinet by tossing out expired items, then wash your makeup brushes with baby shampoo or Dawn dish soap and warm water. Spray cleaner on your grout, allow it to sit for several minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush and rinse. Then, pour a mixture of ½ cup baking soda and ¼ cup salt down the drain, followed by heated vinegar. Let it stand for 15 minutes, then run hot tap water for 30 seconds or so.
    • Deep clean your bedrooms. Clean pillows and comforters, carefully reading the care label first. Vacuum your mattress, then sanitize it with a disinfectant spray, or use an iron or garment steamer to kill dust mites near the surface, then vacuum. Pack away the winter clothes in your closet and get rid of anything stained, damaged, or worn out. Do the same thing with the warm weather clothes you’re bringing out of storage, trying on anything you’re not sure about before putting it into your closet.
    • Some of your personal items could probably use a deep clean. Power down your phone before cleaning it with a microfiber cloth, then a disinfectant wipe. Let it air dry for a few minutes, then wipe it dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. Do this to your TV remote, computer mouse, and other electronics, too. Clean out your purse, throwing away trash and organizing everything else. Wipe the exterior if it’s made of a durable material.
    • Clean your cleaning tools. Freshen the washer by running a cycle with bleach or a washing machine cleaner. Use the crevice tool on your vacuum to deep clean your dryer’s lint filter, then vacuum under, around, and behind it. Clean out your vacuum and snip any threads or hairs snarled in the brush. Rinse your broom in warm soapy water or vacuum it with your vacuum cleaner hose.

    If you need a place to store your things while you’re cleaning, or ready to find somewhere to pack away your winter gear, choose Pouch Self Storage. We’ve been operating mini-storage facilities since 1979 and we’re committed to keeping our clients’ belongings safe. Founded by John Yelland, who hails from Australia, Pouch Self Storage is named in honor of the kangaroo’s pouch- nature’s safe and secure storage spot. We’re an industry leader in design, building, and maintenance of self-storage facilities, and we strive to give our occupants the most advanced security systems available. At our nine Southern California facilities, you’ll find state-of-the-art computer monitoring systems that allow our self-storage managers to monitor the opening and closing of every storage unit door, 24 hours a day. For more information, call (800) 378-4598 or contact us through our website.

  • How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

    Of course, you don’t want any bugs in your home. When it comes to fruit flies, though, it can seem impossible to keep them out! One day your kitchen is fine, and the next day, those insidious little pests are everywhere. What can you do? We’ve got some tips for getting rid of fruit flies.

    • First, know what causes them, so you can take preventive measures. Fruit flies like ripe, rotting, decayed produce, especially fruit, as you might guess from their name. They’re also attracted to fermented goods like beer and wine, and can also live in trash cans and garbage disposals. Because female fruit flies lay 500 eggs at a time, those eggs hatch in about 24 hours, and the flies live two to four weeks, they’re nearly impossible to control. To prevent them from infesting your kitchen:
      • Throw out produce that’s too ripe.
      • Keep your fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator.
      • Wash produce promptly to remove potential fruit fly larvae or eggs.
      • Take out the garbage frequently.
      • Clean all spills quickly, particularly fruit juice or alcohol.
    • If they’ve already established themselves in your kitchen, you need to know what to do about fruit flies. Some people might think that pouring bleach down the drain will kill them, but in fact, it won’t be sufficient. Bleach might kill some larvae, but it passes through the drain too quickly to make a significant impact.
    • A simple vinegar fruit fly trap can be extremely effective. Here’s the basic principle: make a trap with apple cider as the lure. The flies will enter the trap to get the apple cider vinegar but won’t be able to escape. The type of trap can vary in a few ways.
      • Pour some apple cider vinegar into a bottle or glass. Cover with plastic wrap and poke some holes in the plastic to allow them to enter.
      • Put some vinegar and a chunk of overripe fruit into a jar. Roll a piece of paper into a funnel and place it into the mouth of the jar.
      • Set out a bowl of vinegar and add a few drops of dish soap. The flies will be attracted to the vinegar, and the soap decreases the water’s surface tension, so they won’t be able to escape.
    • Beer and wine work well as bait, too. Leave a stale bottle of beer open on the counter, for instance, and the fruit flies won’t be able to resist it. Add a few drops of soap to the beer and you’ve got yourself a trap.
    • When all else fails, consider commercial products. Fruit flies are so universal that there are tons of products on the market to help you get them under control. If you’re not having success with homemade traps, consider purchasing an insect trap or some eco-friendly fruit fly control spray.

    Any time you’re storing things, make sure they’re clean and free of any insects before you bring them to the storage facility. Pouch Self Storage has been operating mini-storage facilities since 1979 and is committed to keeping our clients’ belongings safe. Founded by John Yelland, who hails from Australia, Pouch Self Storage is named in honor of the kangaroo’s pouch- nature’s safe and secure storage spot. We’re an industry leader in design, building, and maintenance of self-storage facilities, and we strive to give our occupants the most advanced security systems available. At our nine Southern California facilities, you’ll find state-of-the-art computer monitoring systems that allow our self-storage managers to monitor the opening and closing of every storage unit door, 24 hours a day. Currently, we’re abiding by CDC recommendations and implementing social distancing, but you can still reach us by calling (800) 378-4598 or contacting us through our website.

  • How to Get Motivated for Spring Cleaning

    Spring is almost upon us, along with all the great things that come along with it. There’s one thing about spring that may not have you excited, though: spring cleaning. How can you get yourself in the mood to clean and stay motivated until the job’s done? We’ve got some helpful tips.

    • Gather inspiration. Go ahead and buy that home décor magazine or build a makeover Pinterest board. Think about the little things you can do to bring the look of your home closer to what you want it to be. Having a vision and some doable mini-projects can make it easier to get excited about cleaning the house.
    • Set realistic goals. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it’ll take longer than a day to clean your whole house. Identify the tasks you want to accomplish and create a schedule for getting them done. It can be disheartening to spend an entire day cleaning, so consider breaking it into smaller blocks of time over the course of a few days.
    • Enlist some helpers. Whoever lives in the house should participate in cleaning it, so make a plan for everyone to pitch in. Decide ahead of time how to divide the chores, and make sure you have the right tools to accomplish the tasks you need done.
    • Play some energetic tunes. A housecleaning playlist should be fun and upbeat. Creating this playlist isn’t about showing off your highbrow musical tastes, it’s about getting everyone moving! Throw on some disco, some dance party hits, or some bubblegum pop- whatever makes you want to keep going.
    • Don’t be afraid to get rid of things. Clothes that you’re not going to wear, things that are broken, outdated knick-knacks or random electronic components can all be removed from your house. Donate anything that’s still in good shape and throw out anything that’s no longer usable.
    • Plan something that will motivate you to get the job done. If you’ve got a party on the calendar, you’ll be much more determined to get your house sparkling clean for your guests. It might even compel you to do some of those mini-makeover projects!
    • Treat yourself- and your helpers. Plan ahead of time to do something fun as soon as you’re finished. Head out for dinner or ice cream, go to the park, or watch a movie. If you’ve got something to look forward to as soon as you’re finished, the work will go much faster and feel less tedious.
    • Consider storage for helping you declutter. An uncluttered home is easier to keep clean, and you can minimize clutter by renting a storage unit. Pull things like kids’ toys in and out of rotation, and store things you don’t use on a regular basis.

    Pouch Self Storage has been operating mini-storage facilities since 1979 and is committed to keeping our clients’ belongings safe. Founded by John Yelland, who hails from Australia, Pouch Self Storage is named in honor of the kangaroo’s pouch- nature’s safe and secure storage spot. We’re an industry leader in design, building, and maintenance of self-storage facilities, and we strive to give our occupants the most advanced security systems available. At our nine Southern California facilities, you’ll find state-of-the-art computer monitoring systems that allow our self-storage managers to monitor the opening and closing of every storage unit door, 24 hours a day. Currently, we’re abiding by CDC recommendations and implementing social distancing, but you can still reach us by calling (800) 378-4598 or contacting us through our website.

  • Tips to Stay Healthy and Avoid Burnout While Working from Home

    Is working from home wearing you out? This past year has been rough for many people, as they adjust to a “new normal” of working from home and caring for their families at the same time. Unfortunately, it can all lead to burnout. How can you keep from burning out and stay healthy and productive?

    • Why do people suffer from work-from-home burnout? Burnout is not a new concept, but the pandemic has made it feel especially hopeless. We’re home so much, trying to maintain normalcy in a world that feels far from normal, and we have no idea when things will change. It all adds up to a level of stress that can be particularly devastating. When people can’t separate their work and home lives, it can lead to work-from-home burnout, because feeling like you’re always “on” can be physically and emotionally exhausting.
    • How do you know if you’re heading towards burnout? Everyone is stressed right now, so what makes work-from-home burnout different from run-of-the-mill emotional turmoil and fatigue? Pay attention to these symptoms:
      • Physical symptoms like tension, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, headaches, heart palpitations, gastrointestinal pain, or increased occurrence of illnesses
      • Losing track of tasks or failing to finish work on time
      • Mood changes, including irritability sadness, or anger
      • Symptoms of depression like hopelessness, loss of interest in things you normally enjoy, or fatigue
      • Feeling apathetic or discouraged in your work
      • Having trouble sleeping because of insomnia or having trouble falling asleep
      • Drinking more than usual
    • If you think you’re suffering from burnout, there are some strategies you can try to help you recover. There’s no magical solution, and different things work for different people, so you might want to try a few of these and see what helps you.
      • Find ways to take back control of your life. Some things are out of your control, so take control of what you can. Plan healthy meals and eat them on a schedule. Work at least 15 or 20 minutes of exercise into your day, and plan a bedtime routine that will help you calm down and fall asleep.
      • Set some boundaries. Define your work hours and stick to your schedule. Don’t respond to emails or messages during your non-working hours. Take a 15 to 30 minute break in the middle of your work day. Talk to your boss about how you can make some changes that will help keep you motivated.
      • Connect with people. It’s easy to feel isolated right now, but human contact is important, so make a point to reach out to others. Talking to someone on the phone might give you just the boost you need. It might also help you to talk to a therapist.
      • Do something each day that’s just for you. Step away from your technology and have some “me time” every day. You might take a five-minute break in the morning and afternoon to do a quick mindfulness exercise, taking a few deep breaths and paying attention to your surroundings. Beyond that, though, set aside some time daily to do something you enjoy, like pursuing a hobby or playing with pets.
    • You can also set yourself up for success with a better workspace. Physically separating your work and living spaces is ideal, so even if you don’t have a separate home office, make sure you have a dedicated workspace. Keep it tidy, and make sure it’s comfortable and well-organized. Leave your work area for lunch for further delineation.

    Pouch Self Storage has been operating mini-storage facilities since 1979 and is committed to keeping our clients’ belongings safe. Founded by John Yelland, who hails from Australia, Pouch Self Storage is named in honor of the kangaroo’s pouch- nature’s safe and secure storage spot. We’re an industry leader in design, building, and maintenance of self-storage facilities, and we strive to give our occupants the most advanced security systems available. At our nine Southern California facilities, you’ll find state-of-the-art computer monitoring systems that allow our self-storage managers to monitor the opening and closing of every storage unit door, 24 hours a day. Currently, we’re abiding by CDC recommendations and implementing social distancing, but you can still reach us by calling (800) 378-4598 or contacting us through our website.

  • Projects to Tackle At Home this Fall

    The current pandemic has put us all in a unique situation, with most people staying at home right now. While some are working remotely, it’s easy for people to get restless when there’s nowhere to go and not enough to do. While it’s not a great time to do any major renovations, it’s a good idea to make the most of your time by getting some projects accomplished. You can even order most of your supplies online!

    • In the house:
      • Consider some crafts. Especially if you have kids, simple crafting is a great way to spend the time. Make things out of duct tape, make your own bath bombs, learn to embroider or knit, or simply color in an adult coloring book.
      • Update your décor. Take a hard look at your shelves and see which knick-knacks need to be removed. Makeover an old piece of furniture or paint an accent wall. Paint your bathroom, redo your kitchen cabinets, replace outdated hardware, upgrade your lighting, or just create a plan for your next project.
      • Get organized. Clean out a closet, or reorganize your kitchen. Go through your pantry, medicine chest, and bathroom cabinets, tossing out anything expired or damaged. Sort through your books and get some ready to donate, or organize your filing cabinets.
      • Clean all the things. Now is the time to polish the silver or the copper-bottomed pans, or waterproof your upholstery. You might want to wash all your windows or give your countertop appliances a thorough cleaning.
      • Catch up on your reading. Those books you never have time to read? Now you do! You can also use this time to share some of your old favorite books with your kids, taking turns reading aloud.
    • In the yard:
      • Boost your curb appeal. Paint your front door, your trim, or your mailbox, plant some flowers around the front door, or replace your shutters.
      • Plant a garden. Learn to grow vegetables, or plant your favorite flowers.
      • Update your landscaping. It’s a great time to take out those bushes you’ve always hated, lay down a new walkway, put down some mulch, clean your deck, or refresh your outdoor furniture.
    • In the garage:
      • Tackle the mess. If your garage is a catchall, set aside a few days in a row to take on the task of cleaning it out. Enlist the help of your family, and be sure to do it when the weather is dry since you’ll probably have to drag some things outside.
      • Reorganize. Categorize the things you want to store in your garage, and group them into categories. Make sure each item has a logical place so that it can be easily retrieved and stored. Wait until after you’ve organized and determined how you want to store things to purchase storage containers.
      • Install new storage. While you have extra time, you might install built-in cabinets or modular storage. You can also use vertical storage like pegboards and wire grids, and if you have overhead space, consider sturdy shelves that mount to the ceiling.

    Pouch Self Storage has been operating mini-storage facilities since 1979 and is committed to keeping our clients’ belongings safe. Founded by John Yelland, who hails from Australia, Pouch Self Storage is named in honor of the kangaroo’s pouch- nature’s safe and secure storage spot. We’re an industry leader in design, building, and maintenance of self-storage facilities, and we strive to give our occupants the most advanced security systems available. At our nine Southern California facilities, you’ll find state-of-the-art computer monitoring systems that allow our self-storage managers to monitor the opening and closing of every storage unit door, 24 hours a day. Currently, we’re abiding by CDC recommendations and implementing social distancing, but you can still reach us by calling (800) 378-4598 or contacting us through our website.