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  • A Letter To Our Tenants in Response to COVID-19

    To all Pouch Self Storage Customers,
    In response to the Coronavirus outbreak and the resulting mandates from state and federal authorities, Pouch Self Storage Centers is abiding by the CDC recommendations and implementing social distancing.
    We are however going out of our way to help our customers as best as we can. In order to accommodate social distancing due to the COVID-19 virus, the following facility hours have been modified until further notice to 8 am – 5 pm daily.
    We are doing our best to flatten the curve and have limited staff onsite. In order for us to accommodate our customer’s needs, while still maintaining the regulations of safety, all employees are to have ZERO contact with customers while still managing the facility and protecting our customer’s belongings.
    You can see available units and rent through our online portal at Pouchselfstorage.com
    Sincerely,
    Pouch Self Storage

  • Quick Tips for Book Storage

    Are you an avid reader with a personal library collection that has outgrown your apartment? Maybe you’ve inherited some rare first-edition prints that you can’t bring yourself to part with. Or perhaps you’re a book collector looking for a safe, secure place to store your most valuable pieces.

    No matter your circumstances, self storage could be the solution you’re looking for. Before you store your books long-term, follow these tips to ensure they come out of storage looking as good as the day they went it.

    Clean Your Books

    It’s important to prepare anything you plan to put in storage. In the case of books, this means dusting them and letting the pages air out for a bit.

    If it’s been a while since you read them, you may notice that a thick, grimy film of dust has gathered on the top edge of your books. Whatever you do, avoid using wet cleaning supplies that could damage the covers, dust jackets, or pages.

    The brush attachment on your vacuum is probably the best method of cleaning your book collection. To help prevent debris from falling inside the binding, dust from the spine toward the opening of the book.

    Take the time to flip through each book and look for any insect damage or moisture. Vacuum up any bugs or eggs and let damp pages dry out completely to prevent the books from deteriorating any further.

    Catalog Your Collection

    If you have so many books that you need to put some in storage, it’s wise to take inventory. Write down the titles on a piece of paper or create a spreadsheet for a digital record. This makes it easy to look up which books you kept and which ones you put in storage if you forget later on.

    Select the Right Storage Containers

    Plastic totes and acid-free storage boxes are your best options for storing books long-term. Plastic is beneficial because it keeps moisture out, and acid-free containers help prevent yellowing and fading of the pages over time. Whatever style of storage containers you choose, keep them small so they don’t get too heavy.

    Pack Your Books Correctly

    Group your collection by size and binding type (hardback or paperback) to make packing easier and more efficient. If you have any particularly fragile, valuable, or sentimental books, wrap them individually in packing paper or bubble wrap for extra protection.

    There are three recommended ways to pack books for storage:

    • Pack hardback books upright, as if the bottom of the box was a shelf in a bookcase. Two rows of books should sit spine to spine. If there’s a third row, separate them with crumpled packing paper so the pages don’t touch.
    • Lay paperback books flat with packing paper between each one to prevent the covers from touching.
    • Pack books with their spines face-down. Never pack books with the spines face-up because this could permanently damage the bindings, especially of hardback books.

    Finish each box by filling any empty space with crumpled packing paper to prevent the books from shifting. To make it easier to find specific books in the future, label each box with its contents. Consider organizing your boxes by author or genre, and label them accordingly to avoid needing to list individual titles. You can write directly on the container or tape a printout to the outside.

    Choose a Suitable Self Storage Facility

    When storing books, climate control is the most important quality to look for in a self storage facility. Books are highly susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity. Climate-controlled storage prevents any extremes that could discolor or deteriorate your books.

    Security is also essential to prevent break-ins. A storage facility with surveillance cameras, alarms, indoor access, perimeter fencing, and electronic gate entry provides the best level of protection for your prized book collection. Units locked with a secret digital code are also more secure than those that use a key.

    Fill Your Storage Unit

    After all your careful preparation, the final step is to load the storage unit properly. Start by laying down a plastic sheet or wooden pallet where you want to stack your boxes. Even in a climate-controlled setting, there’s still a risk of moisture accumulating on the floor. This simple precaution offers a little extra peace of mind.

    Stack your boxes no higher than chest-height to reduce the risk of toppling over. Line the wall of the storage unit rather than filling a corner so you can see all the boxes easily if you need to access one later. If you’re putting other personal belongings in storage, keep the book boxes toward the bottom of each stack. They may be on the smaller side, but because they’re so heavy, it’s safer to set book boxes on or near the floor.

    Enjoying a good book is one of life’s simple pleasures, and by following these quick tips for book storage, you can ensure your collection lives on for many years to come! To ask about reserving a storage unit for your books and other personal belongings, please contact Pouch Self Storage at (800) 378-4598. We have nine convenient locations around the Anaheim, CA area to better serve you.

  • Examining the Business Benefits of Document Shredding

    The idea of a paperless office is an enviable one, but in reality, it’s hard to achieve. Businesses will always have to deal with reams of printed materials. Many of those printed documents will contain sensitive information, like customer data or financial information. Protect your business and your customers by signing up for secure, onsite document shredding .

    Security and Peace of Mind
    The No. 1 benefit of business document shredding is security. You and your customers can enjoy peace of mind knowing sensitive information won’t fall into the wrong hands. After all, identity theft is among the most common white collar crimes, and it’s growing at an alarming rate. With an onsite document shredding service, you won’t have to worry about criminals stealing information that will cost your customers and ruin your business’ reputation.

    Convenience and Affordability
    Running a business requires long hours at the office. It’s hard work to keep track of everything that needs to be done. And no matter how much revenue your business brings in, overhead is always a consideration when making business decisions. Onsite document shredding won’t require any extra work on your part, and it’s very affordable. All you’ll have to do is place documents to be shredded in the locked storage bin to await destruction.

    Eco-Friendly Disposal
    It’s technically possible to recycle non-shredded documents that contain sensitive information, but doing so wouldn’t be safe. There’s a greater risk that identity thieves will get their hands on it. When you choose onsite document shredding, your safely destroyed documents can be brought to a recycling facility. You’ll be doing your part to help make the Earth a little greener.

    State and Federal Compliance
    Depending on what type of business you have, you may be subject to multiple state and federal regulations regarding document retention and destruction. Law offices and healthcare clinics are just a couple of examples. Professional document shredding will help your business stay in compliance with document destruction requirements.

    Onsite document shredding is available at POUCH Self Storage , along with the secure shredding of data DVDs, CDs, recording tape, and floppy disks. For storage options in Lake Forest and San Juan, call our office at (800) 378-4598.

  • Reserve Your Free Moving Truck Today!

    Renting a storage unit from POUCH means you’ll get a great price on a secure self-storage space that is just right for your needs. Did you know it also means you can move your items with a free moving truck? Our We Move You FREE program makes moving into your storage unit as easy and affordable as possible.

    To reserve a free moving truck, you must have a confirmed reservation for a new storage space. Simply contact your storage facility to set up a date and time for the truck. We provide the truck, driver, and gas free of charge. The driver is not allowed to assist you in moving your items, but the truck comes equipped with an appliance dolly and 10 moving pads at no extra cost.

    Free moving trucks are available within a 15-mile radius of your POUCH Self-Storage facility. To reserve a truck or learn more about storage units in Lake Forest, call (800) 378-4598.

  • Maximize Your Retail Space by Storing Extra Inventory

    When you have a retail store, every inch of space counts. That means you have to get clever about the way you manage your inventory. Fortunately, business storage can help you keep the items your customers need without making your space unmanageable.

    This video offers advice for maximizing your retail space. Carefully monitoring sales and making sure you’re not wasting space on items that don’t move can help. Using a storage unit to hold extra inventory will also ease your space constraints.

    Get additional space for your inventory by renting a storage unit at POUCH Self Storage . We even offer a FREE moving truck to make transferring your goods easier. Contact our storage facility in Lake Forest by calling (800) 378-4598.

  • Getting Ready to Sublet Your Apartment

    There are lots of great reasons to sublet your apartment, from covering your rent when you’re going to be traveling for a few months to moving to a new place without breaking your current lease. There are plenty of things to consider when you sublet your apartment, including what items you need to move to a storage unit before the new tenant moves in. Keep these things in mind as you prepare for your sublet.

    Check with Your Landlord
    Many people who sublet their apartments try to do it without getting an OK from their landlords. This risky game could be very costly in the end. Some leases prohibit subletting completely, while others require sublet tenants to go through a credit check. It’s a good idea to work with your landlord during subletting, so you don’t open yourself up to expensive fines for violating your lease agreement.

    Pack Up Your Valuables
    When you’re going to have a tenant in your home, it’s a good idea to make sure that your valuables move out with you. Although you should of course remove valuable jewelry and expensive electronics, but don’t overlook items that are simply valuable to you. If you have a set of glasses or some pots and pans you do not want to risk getting damaged or removed, pack them up. Fortunately, you don’t have to cart your good stuff around. A secure storage unit will keep your items safe until you need them again.

    Set Up Clear Lines of Communication
    When you sublet your apartment, you’re still ultimately responsible for what happens there. Prevent communication breakdowns from occurring by setting a schedule for how and when you want to check in with the new tenant. You may want to do weekly calls, ask for a monthly email on a certain date, or request to stop by at period intervals to check the place out. Keeping the lines of communication open will help to make your sublet a success.

    POUCH Self Storage can help you get you get your items out of your home before your sublet with our self-storage units , available in a range of sizes. Find out how to rent a storage unit in Lake Forest by calling (800) 378-4598.

  • Boat Storage 101

    Proper storage is one of the most important parts of maintaining your boat. In addition to finding storage facilities that allow for boat storage, prepping your boat to be put away is also essential. Here’s what boat owners need to know about safe storage.

    Avoid Storing Your Boat in Water
    Although many docks offer storage, the water is not a good choice for long-term boat storage. It may seem counterintuitive, but your boat should only be in water when it is in use. Otherwise, the water will constantly put pressure on your boat, which increases the wear and tear and makes more frequent repairs necessary. Storing your boat at a storage facility is not only cheaper than dock storage but also safer for your boat.

    Clean Your Boat Before Storing
    Cleaning may sound like the last thing you want to do after a day on the water, but putting a dirty boat into storage can cause damage. Further, you’ll be glad your boat is clean when you get it out for use. Scrub the deck, topsides, cockpit, hull, and all other compartments. After washing the boat, fill up the tank to prevent condensation from forming, and charge all your batteries or disconnect them from their cables. After a thorough cleaning, dry the boat completely before storing it, so that moisture damage doesn’t occur.

    Invest in a Cover
    Although people often store boats without covers, covering the boat is the best way to protect it from the elements. Covers also keep your boat safe from debris and dirt buildup. Ideally, get a custom-fitted cover to give your boat the best possible protection. Your boat cover should have supports so that you can prop it up. This will reduce the risk of water settling around the bottom of your boat.

    Store your boat with confidence at POUCH Self Storage. Our storage facilities have 24-hour video surveillance and keypad entry for the utmost security for all of your belongings. Find out how to rent boat storage in Lake Forest by calling (800) 378-4598.

  • Comparing Covered and Open RV Storage

    RV storage is an issue most owners will have to deal with eventually. There are multiple ways to store your RV, but two of the most popular are covered and open. Here is a look at how these two kinds of RV storage compare.

    Open RV storage is essentially a large parking lot within a storage facility. It gives you the benefit of vehicle storage within a secured environment, but open storage does not provide any protection from the elements. Covered storage allows you to park your RV on a secured lot underneath a roof that provides protection from the sun, rain, and winter weather. Covered storage is not fully enclosed. Depending on the climate in which you are storing your RV, both kinds of storage can be acceptable.

    POUCH Self Storage offers both types of RV storage and is happy to answer your questions so you can select the right option for your RV. Learn more about vehicle storage in Rancho Cucamonga and Fountain Valley by calling (800) 378-4598.

  • All About Moving Boxes

    When you’re moving, boxes can either make the process easier or add to the stress of the experience. Whether you’re moving into a new home or transferring items into a storage unit, the quality of the boxes you use matters. Watch this video to learn more.

    Forget getting waterlogged, flimsy boxes from the grocery store. It is worth it to invest in some sturdy boxes in a variety of sizes that won’t break on you as you transfer them into a moving truck.

    POUCH Self Storage is pleased to offer free use of a moving truck with our storage units and records management services. For more information about renting self storage in Lake Forest or using one of our free moving trucks, please call (800) 378-4598.

  • Here’s Why Restaurant Owners Need a Storage Unit

    Although a storage unit may not seem like an essential part of doing business as a restaurant, it can actually be an invaluable tool for restaurant owners. With multiple size options available, storage units can be an affordable and effective solution for large and small restaurants’ needs. Here are some of the reasons why business storage can be so valuable for restaurant owners.

    Stockpile Supplies

    Not everything a restaurant purchases is perishable. The reason that many restaurants don’t keep large stocks of nonperishable items is that they simply don’t have space. With a storage unit, you can confidently order supplies of things like aprons, order pads, dishes, silverware, glasses, and nonperishable food staples, including alcohol, without worrying about where you’ll keep it all. Having this backup stock means there are fewer items you need to track daily for ordering and you’ll always be ready for unexpected busy periods.

    Make the Workplace Safer

    Trying to fit more items into your workplace than it can safely hold is dangerous for your staff. This is especially true in restaurants, where workers are active and moving fast. A pile of boxes in a walkway or stacks of excess supplies in a pantry can easily become injury hazards for your team. A storage unit gives you another place to put back stock, so your employees can do their jobs safely.

    Indulge in Changeable Décor

    Many restaurant owners would love to change their décor seasonally, but storage issues can make that impossible. With a storage unit, you can hang on to seasonal decorations, patio furniture, and other pieces of décor you only use periodically, so your restaurant will always look fresh and inviting.

    At POUCH Self Storage in Fountain Valley and San Juan Capistrano, you’ll find a range of personal and business storage units , allowing you to choose a space that fits your needs and budget. With our free moving truck, we make it easy to move supplies into your new unit without extra costs. Call us at (800) 378-4598 for more information.