TIPS & TRICKS | Maple Leaf Self Storage

Clutter-Free Guide: Be Ready for the Holiday Season Part 1 of 5 – Family Room

While we may not share the same weather in Vancouver and Calgary, we do share one common problem as we approach the Holiday Season: how to get your space looking clutter-free as painlessly as possible. Our time is limited and our families are busy. Decluttering is often on your mind, but it can be difficult to get started. When you have piles of belongings, collectibles and life literally blocking your vision, it’s hard to know where to begin and what to do.Here at Maple Leaf Self Storage, we hope to help you ease this pain. We believe our five-part clutter-free guide will assist you in conquering your clutter and taking back your space. Wouldn’t you rather be enjoying your life with friends and family? With one dedicated afternoon for each of the parts, your home will be in showcase-ready condition.In part one of this clutter-free guide, we will help you declutter your family room. Space out your family room From tranquil space to entertaining space, your living/family room is often the busiest area of your home. It is also a space where your friends and relatives will gather and get that important first impression. That’s why keeping this space clutter-free is crucial. Now let’s get started. Banish the Halloween decorations. Now that the Halloween festivities are over, it’s time to put away those ghoulish greetings and ghastly decorations. Carefully place them in boxes and store them in your attic or garage. Say goodbye to them until next October. Removal of excess items. These items include books, vases, and even furniture. Place books into medium-size boxes (large boxes full of books are heavy to move) and recycle/donate if they are not needed anymore. For those of you who have small children, place toys into labeled plastic bins. Extraction of sentimental value items. If you have excess furniture that has sentimental value, carefully move it to the garage. If space is limited, there are self storage facilities like ours available for rent. Furniture with easy access. Sectional/chaise or ottoman ...

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July 18th, 2025

7 Furniture Storing Tips for Safeguarding Your Items

Tips & Tricks

Storing your furniture isn’t just about tossing old chairs and tables into a garage until further notice. It’s an art that, done correctly, can save you a heavy heart and an even heavier expense down the line.Whether you’re moving, downsizing, or renovating your treasures—yes, that squishy couch and the dining table where you’ve celebrated countless birthdays—deserve to be protected and preserved.Thus, it’s important to prepare and place them with care, so that when the time comes to reunite, they’re just as you remember themFollow these 7 essential furniture storing tips to ensure your furniture stays in top-notch condition during its hibernation. 1. Clean Your Furniture Thoroughly Before you tuck your furniture away for storage, give it a thorough clean. Why? It’s not just about making it look nice, it’s about safeguarding your beloved pieces from mold, mildew, and uninvited pests. Moisture is the enemy here; it can lead to a musty memory of what once was a splendid sofa or chair. By ensuring everything is bone-dry, you’ll be keeping those spore-slinging fiends at bay. Cleaning Wooden Furniture For each material, there’s a smart way to clean. Wooden furniture benefits from a gentle wipe-down with a damp cloth and mild soap, but don’t let it swim—too much water is a no-no. Condition it afterward to keep it from getting thirsty and cracking. Cleaning Upholstered Items When it comes to upholstered items, vacuuming is your first step. Spot-clean any blemishes with an upholstery-safe cleaner and let them dry completely, as dampness is a breeding ground for mold and odors. And those metal accents? A mild soap and water solution does the trick, followed by a thorough dry and maybe a touch of polish for extra protection.Think of cleaning as a pre-storage pampering session that not only prevents any present damage from getting worse but also protects your furniture’s integrity during its hibernation period. 2. Disassemble Large Furniture Pieces When you’re gearing up to store your hefty dressers and bookshelves, breaking them down into parts can be a game-changer. It’s like ...

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June 25th, 2025

How Can Self Storage Make My Summer Move Worry-Free?

Tips & Tricks

While moving is never without its challenges, self storage can remove risk and anxiety. Circumstances surrounding the decision to change addresses vary. These can be professional, financial, or personal. Unexpected challenges arise. Agreed-upon destinations can suddenly become unavailable. Or perhaps you may be obliged to vacate a residence before having a new home. These problems can translate into logistical nightmares without a holding place for your belongings. Making arrangements for your safekeeping during your move is a solid strategy against unforeseen issues. There’s much to consider. What is Moving in the Summer Like? Canadians have more opportunities during the summer to take time off work to move. School’s out and the weather’s good. Also, leases expire at a greater rate in Canada during this season, and more homes go on the market.With more competition for the best places to live, it’s best to make careful plans. If you’re driving, start early: the roads may be more congested than usual. Make arrangements for pets and plants coming with you. If you have kids, ensure they’ll be hydrated and cool. The more forethought you devote to your travels, the less likely you’ll be caught off guard by a bad situation. How Else can I Ensure a Safe and Successful Move? Whether you’re moving across the country or across your city, it’s always best to be looking ahead. Make sure you’re not setting yourself up for unnecessary headaches. Your new residence must be in a practical place with the right amenities being close to home. Identify Your Family Needs If you have children, knowing their new school is crucial. Is it close? Does it have a good reputation? What is the bussing situation? Easing your kids into a new environment successfully can make the difference between a happy home or a chaotic one. Ensure Your Move Is Practical If your new job will be outside your home, how far away will it be? Will your commute be long or short? If you’ll be living in an apartment, what’s the parking situation? Conversely, ...

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June 24th, 2025

Storing Seasonal Items in Your Self Storage Unit

Tips & Tricks

What you need to know about storing seasonal items Storing seasonal items efficiently is crucial, especially after the holiday rush. With a bit of planning, you can keep your belongings safe, organized, and easily accessible for next year. Here are some top tips to help you store your seasonal items effectively. Choosing the Right Storage Unit Selecting the right type and size of storage unit is the first step in protecting your seasonal items. For those with temperature-sensitive belongings, such as electronics, delicate fabrics, or seasonal decorations, opting for a climate-controlled unit can make a significant difference. Climate-controlled units help regulate the environment inside. They mitigate extremes in temperature by employing heating and cooling systems, creating a more stable atmosphere. This is particularly important for preserving items that could be damaged by fluctuations in temperature, which can lead to warping, mildew, or other forms of deterioration. Additionally, be sure to assess factors such as accessibility, security, and the overall condition of the facility. By taking these considerations into account, you can ensure that your seasonal items are stored in an environment that maximizes their longevity and maintains their quality. Sorting and Decluttering Before packing anything away, take time to sort and declutter your seasonal items. Create three piles: items to keep, items to donate or sell, and items to discard. This sorting process not only reduces clutter but also allows you to identify what you truly need. Once you have your keep pile, you can focus on organizing these items in a suitable way. Packing for Protection Packing your items properly is key to ensuring they stay in good condition. Use high-quality sturdy boxes for fragile decorations and sports equipment. When packing, wrap each item in bubble wrap or packing paper for extra protection. Fill any empty spaces in boxes with packing peanuts or crumpled paper to prevent shifting during transport. Remember to label each box clearly with its contents, making it easier to retrieve items when you need them. Organizing Your Storage Unit Once you’ve packed your items, ...

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June 23rd, 2025

Zen of Moving Part 1 – 7 Tips to Keep it Under Control

Tips & Tricks

Tracy McEvoy, Maple Leaf Self Storage Director, sat down with Soraiya Kaya, professional organizer, to discuss helpful tips for surviving your move. With the help of these seven tips, discover how to maintain a ‘zen’ state of mind amidst the chaos!When you think of moving, the last thing you think of is an easy, calming and masterful process. Most often, the words complicated, stressful and disorganized are much more suitable. Being the daughter of a retired branch banker, I have done my share of packing and moving over the years and, while I am not an expert, I have certainly earned some merit points.Even so, I thought that there must be some things that we can do to make the process a little less stressful and perhaps even enjoyable. With this goal in mind, I recently sat down with Soraiya Kara, the owner of POSabilities Personal Organizing and Chair of The Professional Organizers of Canada to get some expert tips. So, what can you do to foster a little Zen in your moving process? 1. Start early and have a plan If you know that you are going to be moving in the future, start early and tackle things step by step. Some families find it useful to create a moving plan on Excel that lists the various tasks that need to be done and when they should be done by. Get the entire family involved by assigning tasks to each person. Even young children can help by putting toys into bins and towels into boxes. 2. Relax and get comfortable Why sit in the den or garage and go through boxes when you can do the same thing in front of your cozy fireplace. Put on some nice music or a favourite movie that you know by heart. Light some candles and pour yourself a glass of wine. Don’t overcomplicate things and start with three boxes: Keep, Recycle and Donate. This is an excellent start. 3. Use the Mirror Test We often keep things because ...

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June 17th, 2025

Zen of Moving Part 2 – 5 Strategies for Surviving the Arrival at Your New Home

Tips & Tricks

In the ‘Zen of Moving: 7 Tips to Keep it Under Control’ we shared some great ideas on how to make your moving experience a little less stressful. Our readers loved the ideas, so we sat down with Soraiya Kara, the owner of POSabilities Personal Organizing, to gather a few more creative tips.So here’s the scenario. You have your movers organized and the packing has started. You are diligently using some of the great ideas from ‘Zen of Moving – Part 1’ to keep the process moving forward with minimal stress. But in the back of your mind, you know that moving day is quickly approaching and there is no way to avoid it. So, what other things can you do to keep the Zen alive?1. Plan a space for everythingNo one likes moving big, heavy furniture around. By making a floor plan, you can save yourself the heavy lifting, and leave that to the pros – your movers. Start with a floor plan or use graph paper and map out how your existing furniture is going to fit in your new space. You may realize that some of your items may not fit in the way that you imagined. Consider donating these items to a local charity or passing them on to a friend. By getting rid of unwanted or unnecessary furniture before moving day, there will be less items to transport and less cost. Print a copy of the floor plan for your movers so that they will know exactly where to place the large items, decreasing their work load and yours.2. Empty the pantryGetting rid of as many items as possible before a move is always a good idea and this includes food items. Take a look in your pantry, cupboards and fridge and throw out items that have dubious ‘best before’ dates or that you are likely to never use. With the remaining items, build some meals for the days leading up to the move. By ...

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June 16th, 2025

7 Halloween Trick or Treating Safety Tips

Tips & Tricks

Trick or treating is always fun for children and young teenagers. They can dress up to be their favourite superheroes or princesses, enjoy parties, and eat lots of sugary treats. On the other hand, Halloween night can be dangerous if kids and parents aren’t careful. Take a look at these safety tips before heading out. Children going with parents: Dress for the weather. The last thing you want for your precious little one to bring back is sickness A bag or pillowcase with reflective tape for the candies Stay on one side of the street. Work your way up one side of the street then start on the other Well-lit houses. Don’t visit houses that are not well lit or go inside stranger’s house Costume choice – weapons – no toy guns and ensure swords are soft and flexible Costume choice – glow sticks or reflective tape – they help them see and be seen by others and drivers Examine all treats before letting them consume Young teenagers going without parents: Set areas or route they can visit Have them travel in groups Set a curfew for them Minimizes risk of eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses Wear well-fitting masks and costumes to avoid injuries Ensure they have a flashlight and possibly a cellphone for emergency needs Examine all treats before letting them consume From everyone at Maple Leaf Self Storage have a safe and happy Halloween everyone! ...

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April 28th, 2025

Learning the Basics of Storing Halloween Decorations

Tips & Tricks

After the parties and trick or treaters, it’s time to bring down the spooky regalia and get to work storing Halloween decorations.Don’t delay. Setting up a week or two early is generally acceptable but leaving it up longer than a couple of days after the holiday will annoy the neighbours. Also, the weather this time of year is unpredictable. Your ghoulish accoutrements could be damaged by wind and precipitation. It’s practical to store these things outside your residence because they’ll be taking up space for another whole year. A rented storage unit is the best solution. Here are a few pointers for doing it right: Discard Organic Material No pumpkins or leftover food are permitted in storage units. Please clean any ornaments that have been left outside. Remove all grass and soil, and clear away any leaves or foliage caught in your giant spider webs or other decorations. Organize Your Decorations for Storage This helps you calculate how much storage space you require. Also, it allows you to conceive next year’s decorative design. Backdrop materials made of cloth should be washed and folded and packed together. Use a plastic container and label it. Stackable containers are better for storing.Spooky ornaments can be gathered, or separated by sub-theme: Vampires Werewolves Skeletons Zombies Ghosts If your Halloween presentation is small, these items can be separated into a box with smaller boxes or plastic bags. If your yearly production is big, use separate, bigger, clearly labeled containers.The latter method is safer overall: these monsters are natural enemies and will fight when left to mingle. Also, you’ll be able to implement your following year’s decorative plan more easily, knowing exactly where everything is specifically packed. Concerning Holiday Installations This is an important subset of the decoration type. You may have cloth items matched with plastic ornaments of different types and sizes for a specific scene. In this instance, you must think about your decorator’s mindset.Are you the kind of Halloween creator who would rather gather the installation’s parts from different containers? Or are you more drawn to ...

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October 21st, 2024

How to Organize a Closet with Lots of Clothes: Maximizing Space and Style

Tips & Tricks

Staring into a closet packed to the brim with clothes can feel like entering a jungle where every garment is a vine, tangled and impossibly intertwined. If your mornings are a scramble of sorting through a chaotic mix of shirts, scarves, and unwieldy hangers, it’s time to bring some order to the madness.Enter our guide on how to organize a closet with lots of clothes. Whether you’re swimming in a sea of scarves or navigating through an array of office attire, these tips can help you get your closet in shape and simplify your life. Let’s dive in! Assessing Your Family’s Wardrobe Before you can tackle the jungle that’s become your family closet, you’ve got to know what animals you’re dealing with. Start by taking inventory of every piece of clothing. It’s like going on a treasure hunt—you might find items you forgot you had! Get to grips with what’s being worn and what’s just been hibernating in the back. Out With the Old Next, it’s time for some tough love. Be honest and purge items that don’t fit, are past their prime, or simply don’t bring joy to your life anymore. It’s not just about ditching the old—this is your chance to free up precious space. Out with the old, in with the… well, more room for the new, eventually. Storage Needs Now, think about storage needs. Everyone’s got their own fashion arsenal, from Dad’s collection of ties to Jenny’s ever-growing tower of soccer jerseys. Assess how much space is genuinely needed for each category and individual in the household. Remember, those ballet tutus might be cute, but they need their own spot, just like your winter coats and power suits. Organize and Group Get your detective hat on and group similar items together. All the jeans in one spot, sports gear in another—it will be a lifesaver when you’re in a rush. And keep an eye out for the gaps; you might notice that someone could wear an extra sweater or two.Lastly, let this assessment be ...

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July 9th, 2024