Are you a student wondering where to store your belongings over the summer? At Hogleaze Storage, we provide two secure locations in Weymouth and Dorchester where you can safely keep your belongings over the summer months. Student storage units are also ideal when spending a year out, allowing you to retrieve your belongings at the end of your travels. Reduce the hassle of shipping or transporting your belongings home with the support of student self-storage.

But how do you organise your belongings before using your student storage unit? This article will give you advice on preparing your belongings for storage.

Is There Anything That Cannot Go Into Student Self-Storage?

There are very few items that Hogleaze Storage cannot store for you:

• Illegal items – prohibited drugs, weapons, or self-defence sprays cannot be stored in your student storage unit.
• Foods and perishable items – foods and perishable items will deteriorate and may damage other items in your storage unit. We are unable to freeze or refrigerate perishable goods.
• Flammable items or items that emit fumes or odours – oil, paints, gases or fireworks should not be stored in student self-storage.
• Irreplaceable items – students should not store sentimental or financial items like currency, jewellery, art, or deeds.

What Items Can I Store In A Student Storage Unit?

Students can store anything not in the above list. Common storage items include:

• Furniture, electronics and appliances – any tables, shelves, desks, electronics, or kitchen appliances.
• Textbooks or equipment – any materials you don’t need over the summer can go into a Hogleaze student self-storage unit, be that a biology textbook or large sports equipment.
• Clothing – maximise your limited wardrobe space by organising clothes seasonally. Store the season you won’t be wearing with us, then swap them out accordingly!

How Should I Organise My Self-Storage Unit?

You can take a few steps to make your self-storage unit easier to navigate and unpack. Consider these simple steps to arrange your belongings.

List and mark up your items.

List everything you will put in your self-storage unit. Ensure everything is boxed up and marked correctly so you know what is in each box.

Store fragile items in secure boxes.

Pack up fragile items in bubble wrap and secure plastic boxes. Cardboard boxes are more susceptible to damage than plastic, so added strength can help to protect crockery or electronics from damage.

Clean before packing

Items like clothes or bedding will last longer if washed and cleaned before being packed away.

Heavy items go first.

Put your heavier items, like larger textbooks or electronics, at the bottom of each box. Lighter items go on top to avoid being damaged.

Most used items go last.

Put the items you use the most at the top of the pile or closest to the door of your student self-storage unit. This will make them easiest to grab or unpack.

Do you really need it?

Consider as you pack something up whether you really need it. Do you really need that Halloween outfit from the first year?

Take apart larger items.

Take apart larger items like bookshelves or desks to make them easier to transport. If it isn’t possible, our storage units can easily fit in all student furniture.

Pack heavier items by the door.

Heavier boxes or furniture may be more difficult to transport and are often the first items to go into a vehicle. Put them near the front of your storage unit for easier transportation.

How Can Hogleaze Storage Help With Your Student Storage Unit?

At Hogleaze Storage, we offer flexible, secure and cost-effective solutions for your belongings. We have units from 16 to 150 square feet on flexible short and long-term leases. From as little as £44 a month, you can safely store your items with us. Whether you’re coming back in a month or a year, we simply give you your storage key fob and allow you to drop off, and pick up, your belongings as you need.

Save yourself the stress and purchase our packing materials and boxes for your convenience, so you can simply pack and drop off your items. All of our units are secure, and CCTV monitored, so you can feel confident that your items are secure as you embark on your travels or trip home.

Hogleaze Storage is on hand to help you book a student storage unit. Contact us today to find out more about our flexible student self-storage options.

It seemed unseasonably warm at the start of November this year, but as we hit the middle of the month the cold weather has set in, and we are all starting to put our woolly hats and jumpers on to wrap up warm.

This change in weather often brings with it a change of wardrobe, with many of us finding space to put our summer clothes away, making room for the winter wear. But why struggle to fit it in any space you can find or go through a harsh clear out? A flexible self storage solution could save you time and energy, allowing you to focus on what really matters.

Below are a few of our tips for keeping clothing in self storage units.

Have a clear out

We know it can be hard, but it is always a good idea to have a clear out when looking for more space.

We have a few rules to follow when going through your clothes. 

1. If you haven’t worn it in over a year, it is likely you won’t wear it again. 
2. If items of clothing are damaged, get rid of them.

It can be painful, but a good clear out will always feel refreshing. 

While there is an element of needing to be ruthless when having a clear out, don’t forget that self storage units are always an option. Just in case there is an outfit that is just waiting for another event to be used, think of self storage.

Wash the clothes first

Once you have a pile of clothes that you are going to put into a self storage unit, it is advisable that you make sure your clothes are in good, clean condition before going away. You don’t want to put them away for a few months and then get them out to find they are dirty and need a wash. If you run them through the washing machine & tumble dryer, (it’s essential you don’t store wet or damp clothes or accessories) so you won’t have to worry about needing to wash them when you need them, instead you will be able to wear the outfit.

Another reason to wash your clothes before putting them into self storage units is because deodorants and perfumes can stain clothes over an extended period of time.

Repair any damaged clothes that you are keeping

You also don’t want to get to spring and summer and find the clothes you now need are damaged and need repairing. Save yourself the disappointment and repair any damaged items now. Your future self will thank you.

Store any seasonal accessories

If you are the type of person that has accessories to go with each outfit and each season, then we recommend that you also store these in the self-storage unit. These items can be bulky and take up a lot of storage space when they are not in use.

Rather than leaving them lying around for several months not using them, box them up and put them out of the way in a self storage unit.

An added bonus of doing this is that all your seasonal clothes and the accessories that go with them will be together, so you won’t have a panic that you can’t find those specific shoes, scarf or necklace for this outfit when it comes to wearing it all.

Don’t bother ironing

Don’t waste time ironing items of clothing before putting them into a self storage unit. Your items will need to be folded neatly to go in the box, and over time creases will naturally develop. Spend time packing them up correctly now, and then iron it all when you take it out of storage.

Box up delicate clothing

If you are planning on putting clothing into a self storage unit for a longer period of time, we recommend that you box up clothing instead of vacuum-packing them. This way of storing things can have its advantages, but clothing made of wool and silk don’t do well inside them for extended periods of time.

Use good quality boxes for clothing that will be stored longer than a few weeks. If you need to get hold of some boxes, you can purchase them from us at great prices.

Label boxes

To be honest, we think this is something everyone should do, no matter what they are putting into self storage units. This can be especially handy when storing clothes in a self storage unit, as it will allow you to locate types of clothing easily when you need them. This could save you having to go through all of the boxes to find that pile of shorts or skirts that you packed away.

You can create a labelling system that works for you, whether this is naming each box by season, items or even colours.

If you are really organised, you can set up an inventory list of everything you are putting into storage that identifies all the clothing you’ve packed away. That way you can be confident that you haven’t lost them.

Store them in the right environment

Your clothes should be kept in a dark, cool and dry place. This will prevent any damage happening to them while they are in a self storage unit.

We regularly make sure that our units are sealed and dry, so this isn’t something you need to think about when using Hogleaze self storage solutions.

Hogleaze Storage self storage units

If you follow these tips, putting clothes into a self storage unit will be easy and stress-free and you can be confident that when you go to wear them again, they will be clean and in the best possible condition.

Hogleaze Storage is a safe and secure facility, with alarmed buildings and CCTV cameras across both our Dorchester and Weymouth facilities. Plus our staff complete regular walks around the sites to make sure everything is closed and locked up.

In addition to that, our Dorchester self storage units have key fob entry, and you will get your own personal fob on completion of paperwork.

We are proud members of the Self Storage Association, meaning that we adhere to strict operating principles and regulations.

Our contacts are flexible, as we know that you don’t always want to store your belongings for a long period of time.

To enquire about our self storage solutions you can call our Dorchester facility on 01305 889777 and our Weymouth facility on 01305 830000.

Alternatively you can fill out the form on our contact page.

It is time to face the fact that after a gorgeous summer, we are heading into autumn… fast. So we are guessing that you are starting to think about where you are going to store all of your garden furniture.

The likelihood is that you are also thinking about how to keep your furniture safe and protected over the coming months so that it will all be fresh as a daisy and ready to use next year.

In this article, we have put together a few of our top tips for protecting your garden furniture over autumn and winter.

Storing wooden furniture

Wooden furniture is a good place for lichen and fungal spores to gather over the summer period. So, it is a good idea to give it a good scrub with a stiff brush and hot, soapy water before you put it into any storage.

Make sure that you allow it to dry properly before it goes into your garage, shed or storage unit. If it isn’t dry before you pack it all away, the lack of decent ventilation might cause it to rot or gather mould.

If you are leaving the wooden furniture outside, you should make sure that any legs aren’t on the ground, so that they don’t soak up any moisture from the floor.

If you are struggling to find an appropriate place to store your wooden furniture, why not store it in one of our storage units? Here they will be safe from the outdoor elements, so you don’t have to worry about moisture finding its way to your furniture and rotting it.

Storing plastic furniture

If your plastic furniture isn’t kept dry and somewhere with good air circulation, there is a risk that it will discolour while in storage.

As you should with wooden furniture, make sure you clean the furniture with hot, soapy water. However, with plastic furniture you should use a soft cloth rather than a stiff brush. You will also need to make sure that you dry it thoroughly before you put it into storage.

If you have found a stain that has occurred over summer, you can use neat bleach to get it back to its original whiteness – you may want to try this on a hidden area first though.

When you are putting your plastic furniture in storage you want to be considerate as to where you put it and how you stack it. Sometimes legs can be unsteady and a little flexible so make sure that they are put somewhere where they won’t be knocked constantly.

Storing rattan or wicker furniture

Furniture that is made up of wicker or rattan can be difficult to clean because of the weave. You can remove dust by using your vacuum and then you can use hot, soapy water to give it a good clean. Use a toothbrush to really get into all the nooks and crannies. Alternatively, you can give it a blast with a high pressure washer.

We should probably mention that you want to remove all of the cushions and any blankets before doing all of this!

Wicker garden furniture should always be kept indoors when it isn’t being used. And varnishing it before you put it into storage will prolong its life.

If your furniture is made out of synthetic rattan then it is designed to withstand the winter weather. However, there are a few steps that you should take to prevent it from getting damaged and keeping it in tip top condition.

Cover it with a PVC sheet or get some fitted furniture covers if you are leaving it outdoors during the colder months. If you don’t want to leave your wicker furniture outside but have run out of room in your garage or shed, you can store it at one of our self-storage facilities. We have a range of unit sizes, so finding a unit to fit all of your furniture safely, won’t be a problem.

We also have lifts and trollies at both of our facilities, so getting your garden furniture into your storage unit couldn’t be easier.

Storing iron furniture

Iron is at risk of rust when in storage. So, once you have cleaned the furniture with hot soapy water and a cleaning rag or cloth, it is a good idea that you check for any rust spots that might be beginning to blossom on the furniture. It probably goes without saying, but if you do find any rust, then remove it. You can remove any rust with rust removal products from any DIY shop, or you can try soaking it in white vinegar which can be applied with a soft rag and rub it in with aluminium foil.

Once you have got rid of the rust with the white vinegar, give it another rinse clean and allow it to dry completely before putting it away for the autumn and winter.

General tips for storing garden furniture

Weatherproof storage

If you are keeping your garden furniture in a shed, it is a good idea to check that the roof is waterproof and will keep out any rain, snow and ice that is likely to occur over the winter months. If you find that your roof isn’t weatherproof, you can store your furniture with us at Hogleaze Storage. Our units are completely sealed meaning that your garden furniture will be protected from the elements over the winter months. We also have a range of unit sizes, so that you can hire the perfect unit for what you need to store.

Storing fabrics

If you have fabric cushions to go on your garden furniture, it’s a good idea to store these indoors rather than in an external storage space like a shed. You don’t want mice and other creatures getting too comfy in your nice cushions! If you are storing your garden furniture in a self storage unit, you can store any fabric and cushions with the rest of the furniture. Hogleaze Storage is a secure facility and we make sure there are no animals around our units.

Secure storage

This one might seem a bit obvious but we still want to mention it.

Make sure that your shed or garage is secure. You never know, an opportunist burglar might pass your garage and take a chance. However, they are likely to be put off when they see a lock in place.

If you are unsure about the safety of your shed or garage, it might be an idea to place your garden furniture in a self storage facility. At Hogleaze Storage we have several security features so that you can rest assured that your belongings are safe with us. From CCTV cameras around the sites, to alarmed buildings and fob entry, we work hard to ensure the safety of your belongings.

Store with us today

There is a lot of information in this article, so we hope you have found it useful.

If you think storing your garden furniture in a self storage unit might be a good idea this winter, give our Dorchester facility a call on 01305 889777, or contact our Weymouth team on 01305 830000.