Armor Storage

If you are a frequent camper, especially with kids, you know there will be a fair amount of cuts, scrapes, and bruises. RVs are a popular way to travel across the country or across town because you can have a strong sense of community in the campsites while still feeling like a solitary traveler on a long journey.

RV excursions can entail camping, boating, hiking or any number of activities. You need to pack your first aid kit with essential items for any type of situation that might arise. With a first aid kit stored in your RV, you can treat minor wound immediately without disrupting your trip.

Pre-packaged first aid kits are available in any store that sells camping supplies. However, you might find it beneficial to customize your own kit to fulfill your family’s needs. We’ve compiled a list of essential items for your first aid kits and broke the items into three categories: medical, tools and preventive care.

Medical Essentials

The items on this list are used to treat wounds or burns. All family members should be certified in CPR and wound care. You can find classes at your local hospital or church. Different wounds require different care and taking the wrong steps can have fatal consequences.

Antiseptic Wound Cleanser or Wipes

Gauze Rolls

Sterile Gauze Pads

Adhesive Tape

Antibiotic Cream

Calamine Lotion

Hydrocortisone Cream

Liquid Bandage

Ice Pack

Ace Bandage

Cotton Swabs

Splint

Ibuprofen

Purified Water (Bottled)

Essential Tools

The tools on this list are mainly for medical emergencies. Items for car emergencies should be kept in another kit or the glovebox. If you do end up using any equipment to treat wounds, be sure to disinfect the tool before returning it to the kit.

Tweezers

Small Flashlight

Safety Pins

Pocket Knife

Oral Thermometer

Surgical Scissors

Small Mirror

CPR Mask

Eye Wash Cup

Plastic Zipper Bag for Medical Waste

Essential Preventative Care

Bug bites and sunburns aren’t usually serious medical problems, but they can be very uncomfortable. Summer is RV season, but it’s also the season of bugs – bugs that can carry viruses. The items on this list are meant to protect you from common pesky camping nuisances.

Note: If you bring your dog on RV trips with you, they need a different snake bite kit. Pre-packaged snake bite kits are your best bet in having everything you need to treat snake bites.

Snake Bite Kit

Insect Repellant

Sunscreen

Hand Sanitizer

Sunglasses

These items aren’t the only ones you can include in your first aid kit. You can customize your kit for the activity and location of your excursion. For example, if your trip is near water activities, you may want to make sure the bandages and tape are waterproof. If your plan includes hiking, blister care (along with the snake bite kit) are important additions. For hiking and backpacking, you may want to throw a few extra splints into your kit.

Having a first aid kit with wound care essentials can prevent injuries from escalating from minor to major. Treating a minor injury immediately and effectively saves you time and money on a doctor’s visit and allows you to continue your RV excursion.

If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Armor Storage has got you covered in this department. Here at Armor Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at http://armor-storage.com/.

Exercise is a vital part of your life if you want to lead a healthy lifestyle. Gone are the days when people would be rarely diagnosed with heart disease and diabetes. Fast food is marketed towards the baby boomers, Gen X and millennial consumers at a rapid clip. The importance of daily exercise can’t be overstated – and we all know that it’s about consistency.

The motivation to reduce the risk for developing diseases should be an organic desire and a way to ensure your bones and muscles function and don’t fail as you age. You can simply go for a walk in the morning and instantly decrease your chances of suffering from diabetes. Likewise, you can stretch and practice yoga.

Another option is to buy sports equipment, and exercise whenever you want. Exercising on a regular basis is the key to strengthening your heart muscle and keeping your blood pressure where it needs to be. You will feel rejuvenated if you exercise for even 15 to 20 minutes every morning. You might not be able to wake up early in the morning and do brisk walking. It’s okay if you’re not an early riser.

For the people who don’t want to wake early in the morning, but want to get the benefit of exercising, purchasing fitness equipment is the preferred route. However, this equipment can be bulky and a hassle to move from place to place, especially if you’re moving residences. People generally find it difficult to move and store objects they don’t often use, so here are some tips that you can go along with while moving and storing your fitness equipment.

Treadmill

Every treadmill is different, whether in size, prize or weight. Some are easier to move, while others are a headache and half. Generally, treadmills are made to be more mobile than ever. We’ve comes up with some tips to keep in mind when moving your treadmill.

Tips on how to move a treadmill without hassle

• Before you think about moving your treadmill, it is important to disassemble it. At this stage, the instruction manual is something you’ll want to dig up and keep handy. In case your treadmill can be folded, perform the following steps.
• The treadmill should be unplugged and the safety key should be removed carefully.
• Once you are done with unplugging the treadmill, you can fold the wire.
• Fold the treadmill.
• Be careful when transporting your treadmill down a flight of stairs. Ensure that you are not hurting yourself, bend your knees appropriately and don’t overburden your back.
• Rent a truck to simplify the move.
• Make sure that you cover the treadmills with blankets, because while moving the truck may toss your treadmill against the side, and cause damage. Make sure it’s adequately wrapped.
• Re-assembling the treadmill should be seamless if you follow the manual carefully. Pro tip: If you can’t find the manual, try searching for it in Google by inputting the make and model number.

• 

If you don’t have a treadmill that can be folded, follow these instructions:

• Similar to the foldable treadmill, unplug it and fold the cord.
• If the treadmill can be folded, ask for assistance from a helper so that you will be able to hold one end and s/he hold the other.
• Keep your foot on the wheels of the treadmill and ask your helper to do the same on the side where s/he is standing.
• By doing this, you will be able to balance the treadmill and once you have balanced it, you can now remove your foot from the wheels instructing your assistant to do the same.
• You can now easily lift the treadmill and keep it in the truck that will help you to transport it to your new residence.
• Don’t forget to cover your treadmill with blankets so that it doesn’t get damaged.
• Once at your new residence, you can unload it and assemble at a place where you want it to be.

Expert tips on how to store your treadmill

Surely there are people who will never think they have enough space to keep sports equipment, and these folks prefer to avoid setting up their home gym.. One will always find it difficult to get a things done, but if you are clear in your head that you want it, then nothing can realistically prevent you from getting your gym in order. Here are some tips to draw from whenever you think that you don’t have enough space to keep your fitness equipment.

• A foldable treadmill is ideal as an option for smaller spaces  because when you fold it,  and it’s not in use, you can arrange the space as you see fit.
• Keep the treadmill at a place where you can clean it every day so that dust doesn’t settle. Try to keep a mat under it and protect it with a treadmill cover.
• Make sure your treadmill is secured at a leveled surface.

Indoor Cycling Bike

Most of us are busy as it is – we just don’t have the time to get to cycling whenever the motivation happens to strike. However, by cycling just for 25-30 minutes a day, you can protect yourself from diseases like diabetes, heart attacks, depression, and obesity. This is also why more people are reaping the benefits of indoor cycling bikes — they can get the feel of cycling from the comfort of home. This equipment is also much more compact than gym equipment and is’s easy to store.

Tips for Moving an Indoor Cycling Bike

• Carefully unscrew the pedals of the cycling bike.
• Keep the screws where you can easily find them you so that they don’t get misplaced.
• Your cycling bike is compact it’s easy to transport, so you can simply rent a truck to move it around.
• It’s a good idea to cover it with blankets so that the bike doesn’t get damaged during the move.
• Now that you have your cycling bike at your new place, you can simply unload it from the truck, reassemble it and keep it in a designated storage area or even your living room or bedroom.

Now it’s ready for you to use for the morning or late night exercise routine.

Tips for Storing an Indoor Stationary Bike

The cycling bikes are very compact and generally don’t require much space.  You can put it anywhere, whether it’s your bedroom or your living room.

• If you have a long enough balcony or patio, you can always set up your cycling bike  there and enjoy the outdoor workout.
• Like most gadgets around the house, your cycling bike requires maintenance. Keep it in a place that you can clean every day. Another alternative is to buy a cover so that dust doesn’t accumulate.
• It’s not a bad idea to keep that indoor cycling bike near your office – or in your office — so that you can get work an exercise routine into your day stay inspired to maintain an active lifestyle.

If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Armor Storage has got you covered in this department. Here at Armor Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at http://armor-storage.com/.

Are you running out of closet space to store your clothes? Are you constantly looking for room on the closet rod to squeeze in just one more hanger?

These issues are bound to come up for every well-dressed lady and gent sooner or later. But who doesn’t have extra clothes? We never seem to have enough space to store our clothes, but somehow keep acquiring more.

Seasonal Clothes

Most of our wardrobes have a combination of clothes which are worn throughout the year and seasonal clothes. We have certain items of clothing and accessories for specific seasons, that are only used during their season and not throughout the year.

Summers may have beachwear, shorts and dresses that are long forgotten during cold winters or the rainy season. Raincoats and galoshes are great when it’s raining and wet, but tend to just take up space when the sun is shining. And of course, during the cold months, our clothes are bulky and bigger, taking up a lot of space in our daily wardrobes.

Occasional Clothes

We have special occasions in our life like weddings, pregnancy, job interviews, and holidays. The clothes which are worn by us on such occasions are often more expensive and delicate than those we wear daily (or in the case of maternity wear, don’t fit us the same after a certain amount of time). These clothes help us create special memories and build brighter futures, and require proper storage so that they look as bright as new when we’re ready to wear them again.

Storing Clothes

You can store clothes in an extra room at your house or, if space is lacking, you could look at renting a storage unit to keep your extra clothes and other accessories that you don’t use daily. Renting a self-storage is a great way to get some extra space in your place by providing a place to store extra items you may not need every day – including your clothes.

Hanging Clothes

The clothes that we typically wear can often be folded and kept in a drawer or cubby, or kept on a shelf, but there are clothes in our wardrobe which cannot be folded. The same clothes that fare better when hanging in our closet also must be hung when we put them away in storage. Below are a few pointers as to how you can best store your hanging clothes in a storage unit.

1. Discard Unwanted Clothes

Before you rent a storage unit for your seasonal clothes, go through all the extra clothes you have and decide if you are going to wear them again. Typically there are clothes that you have outgrown, whether the fit no longer flatters you or the trend is long over. You could donate these clothes to charity, or host a yard sale or use a reselling app like Poshmark to make some money off these clothes.

2. Clean Your Clothes

Once you’ve selected the clothes you want to keep off-site, you have to ensure the clothes are washed and dried properly before you put them away in your storage unit. Clothes that require hanging are typically your special occasion outfits, which also likely need to be dry cleaned. You should never store unwashed clothes as any stains or odors on worn clothes can attract harmful bacteria.

3. Get a Wardrobe Box

The storage facility where you are renting may also provide wardrobe boxes for storing hanging clothes in a storage unit. These wardrobe boxes come in various sizes so you can take your pick according to your needs. These wardrobe boxes have built-in hangers, and provide an extra layer of protection for your clothing while also keeping your storage unit organized. Use a cloth to cover your wardrobe box, to further protect the fabric from any settling dust.

4. Keep Fabric Fresh

Pick up a charcoal odor absorber or use cedar blocks or sachets to keep stored clothes smelling fresher longer. Follow the package instructions and place your odor absorber at the bottom of the wardrobe box or hang it on the end of the hanging rod. Whichever you choose, wrap it in fabric or otherwise create a barrier to prevent the cedar or charcoal from coming into direct contact with your clothing.

5. Get the Right Hangers

You should refrain from using metal hangers to hang your clothes, especially in a humid climate that could cause the metal to rust. Rust can cause permanent marks on your delicate clothes. It is suggested that you use wooden hangers or padded hangers which are a safer option for these expensive clothes, and help clothes keep their shape.

6. Clothes Need to Breathe

There is a myth that goes around that we should vacuum pack our clothes when we store them. This is not true; clothes are made of fibers which requires breathing, and also vacuum packing the clothes may leave permanent marks and wrinkles from being so tightly compressed. For these reasons, vacuum packing your clothing is not recommended.

7. Space out your Clothes

There is no need to fit all the clothes in one box; you have to keep sufficient space between two hangers for the air to pass by, again to let your clothes breathe. The quality and life of your clothing is largely influenced by the care and consideration with which they are stored, so providing adequate spacing is a must.

8. Temperature Control

There are some special clothes that not only must be hung, but must also be temperature controlled when stored. Antique dresses and furs are examples of clothing which require to be maintained at a certain temperature to keep the material supple and prevent cracking. If you plan to store these types of special garments, check with the storage facility you are considering to see if they offer climate controlled units.

9. Inventory Check

Make an inventory list of the clothes that you hang in the wardrobe box. This will make it easier for you to know what’s at home and what’s in storage, so that you can easily grab the outfit you need the next time you want to remove some clothes from storage.

Depending on the size of your collection, you could look at color coding, numbering your clothing items or labelling to make the inventory list.

 

The clothes you wear give the first impression of your personality, and they have to be in proper condition. We spend a lot of money on buying expensive and delicate clothes, but maintaining them also requires some attention and time. By being careful when preparing and storing your clothes, you can help maintain the colour and quality of your garments, giving them a longer life.

 

If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Armor Storage has got you covered in this department. Here at Armor Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at http://armor-storage.com/.

The leaves are changing, the days are getting a little shorter, and the nights are getting a
little cooler. The days spending evenings in shorts and t-shirts on the patio will soon be a thing of the past. As the weather cools, there are fewer opportunities to enjoy the outdoors on our decks or patios. Here are five tips for storing your outdoor furniture this winter.

 

Tip #1: Implement A Weekly Cleaning Regimen

You may not be ready to store away the outdoor furniture, yet. Folks in the south or in
California might stretch their patio days out until the late fall, while folks in the Midwest,
Northeast, and Northwest will be facing cooler temperatures, rain, and snow sooner than we hope.

Wherever you are and however your climate is changing seasons, cleaning your outdoor
furniture weekly will keep it ready for entertaining and for winter storage.

Before you jump to moving everything on your deck to storage, the first step is to make
sure that all of your outdoor furniture is cleaned thoroughly before it’s stored. Wipe down all table surfaces, plastic textures, aluminum and metal furniture with warm water and mild soap. Use a cloth to dry.

For aluminum and metal surfaces, if the finish has a shine or gloss to it, apply a fine
automotive wax to the surface. If it’s a textured aluminum or metal, use baby oil or mineral oil.

Wood surfaces should have the dirt and grime brushed off. You can use mild soap and
water, but be sure to dry as thoroughly as possible after washing. If there is mold or mildew buildup, try a mixture of bleach and water, or white vinegar and water. If you’d like to apply a sealant to maintain color and original texture, you can do so after a thorough cleaning before storing it.

 

2. Use Furniture Covers Year-Round

Oftentimes, patio furniture covers are only used in the case of rain or the winter season,
but if the furniture is protected when it’s not being used, it will experience less exposure to the elements, and as a result, experience less wear and tear.

There are varieties of kinds of furniture covers that patio lovers can find. For stackable
patio chairs, try stacking the chairs when not in use and purchasing a stacked chair cover. For patio dining furniture sets, try a cover that protects the entire set, rather than
a separate table and chair cover. Even plastic surfaces could stand to be covered when not in use and definitely during the winter.

 

3. Select A Safe Spot For Winter Storage

The safest spot for your outdoor furniture during the winter is indoors. This might be a
shed, a closet, or a small storage unit. Use a backyard shed or a storage unit to securely stash away your outdoor furniture once the weather begins to turn. Again, be sure to thoroughly clean items before storage.

While some households may have the option to purchase long term, off-site storage,
or to move all outdoor furniture to an indoor location, others might not have that option. If you must leave your furniture outdoors during the winter and you live somewhere with lots of rain and snow, you’ll want to get creative.

Scope out areas of your patio or deck that get the least amount of moisture. Move all
your furniture there. Can anything be stacked? If so, stack them and place a cover over it.
Secure the covers with elastic or straps so that the covers don’t fly off. it is important that all outdoor furniture be protected from the elements during the winter with a cover of some kind.

 

4. Keep Furniture Off The Floor

A separate storage unit or shed is the ideal place to store outdoor pieces, but before
placing your items in a shed or a storage unit, lay a plastic tarp over the floor.

Next, elevate the surface you’ll place the items on with cinder blocks or wooden palettes. This elevation will give extra protection from the elements and from flooding damage.

 

5. Store Fabrics, Cushions, and Rugs Indoors

We all know how this story goes: we buy beautiful and vibrant outdoor fabrics like throw pillows, cushions, and outdoor rugs and curtains, and by the end of the summer, their colors have started to fade.

The good news is that outdoor fabrics are durable and relatively easy to revive.

First, give all of your outdoor fabrics a good dusting off and bring them inside. Next, wash the pillows, umbrella fabrics, and outdoor cushions and curtains in the washing machine using a color-safe detergent. There are even some brands of detergent that boast restoring color. It’s worth a try!

Tumble dry on low heat for 20-30 minutes and let them air dry the rest of the way.
Take the outdoor pillows and fold up the curtains or umbrella fabrics, and seal them in a
plastic tub for the winter.

Outdoor rugs can undergo a good scrubbing using any carpet cleaner or mild soap and a
warm cloth. Once they’ve dried from cleaning, drag them inside and vacuum, or if you have a cordless vacuum, do the job out on the deck.

Roll the rug up, store inside a sheet or plastic bag, and stick it in the back of a shed or closet standing upright. If you put the rug in an outdoor shed or storage unit, be sure to seal the plastic around the carpet so that no moisture gets into the fabric.

 

6. Store Upright and Covered

It might seem like enough to simply place the furniture in the shed or in a storage unit,
but it’s just as important that the furniture is upright and covered to protect it further during the winter.

Try not to set tables and chairs on their sides as it can alter the integrity of the shape of
the materials. You’ll also want to be sure if you need to disassemble a piece of furniture to keep the pieces all together and the screws/fasteners in a bag attached to the rest of the materials. Don’t forget to keep instruction manuals handy for putting everything back together come springtime.

Expensive furniture covers aren’t totally necessary, either. Old bed sheets or blankets
will work just fine for covering in storage, too.

 

Take Care Now For A Beautiful Patio Next Spring!

Even if you’re not ready for the cooler temperatures and you long for those hot summer
nights, just remember, that proper storage of your outdoor furniture now will result in perfectly maintained outdoor furniture to go back onto your patio or deck come springtime. You’ll also be ready to store your outdoor pieces more quickly and easily if you start planning today.

 

If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Armor Storage has got you covered in this department. Here at Armor Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at http://armor-storage.com/.

While storing your coveted sneakers in their original boxes or on the floor of your closet can be useful and quick, you may feel that your shoe collection has outgrown “box” or “floor” methods. There are several other ways to properly store shoes.

Take Inventory and Organize

Before you begin organizing and strategizing storage methods, take stock of your sneakers. How many do you have? What size? Are they traditional sneaker shapes or high top sneakers? Do you own riding boots or tall boots? Sandals? All differences in size and the number of pairs will dictate the kinds of storage options available to you.

For example, if you own quite a few boots, you won’t be able to store them in regular shoe-sized clear, plastic containers. You’ll need to get a longer, more rectangular container. Sometimes, even high top sneakers require a larger shaped container than the traditional shoe size. Keep a measuring tape or ruler handy to double-check before purchasing any containers.

Lay out your shoes on the floor in their respective pairs by category. You can create your own categories, or you can use existing categories like slip-on, athletic kicks, low top, high top, casual/authentic/canvas (think Vans, Converse), leather/designer, etc. If you’re hoping to organize by color, then lay out your shoes in each of the above categories by color.

Most home goods retailers sell attractive shoe storage options. Be sure to take into account what kind of space is available to you prior to purchasing or planning your method.

Prep Your Shoes

Follow the manufacturer’s instructors for cleaning your shoes before storing them. Many low top sneakers can be washed in the washing machine inside a mesh garment bag. Be sure to remove the laces prior to washing, so that you don’t get the shoe caught on the machine. Keep the soles of shoes fresh with shoe deodorizers, if desired. Leather surfaces should have a leather conditioner applied to them.

Winter shoes can often collect dirt, scuffs, and residue from the elements. Make a solution of equal parts vinegar and water to clean the surfaces. If your winter shoes are leather, be sure to purchase a leather conditioner or cleaner after you clean with the water and vinegar solution. Dry the shoes with a cloth and allow them to air dry the rest of the way. When they’re completely dry, polish or buff with a cloth. Then, they’re ready to be stored.

Once cleaned, decide if the shoe will be stored for short or long term. For short term storage, you don’t need to worry about stuffing the shoe or keeping its shape, but for long term storage, consider purchasing a wooden form, plastic shoe form, or if you’re budget conscious, try acid-free tissue paper. Stuff the shoe just enough that it keeps its shape. Be careful not to over stuff. Boots will need a bit more stuffing so that if they are stored upright, they remain upright.

Storage Solutions

If you have ample space in your closet, or you’re storing your shoes in an individual storage unit, keep your shoes protected from temperature changes, odors, spills, etc., with clear plastic shoe containers stacked neatly on top of each other. For an added touch, label each container with the type of shoe, brand, and color. If you are storing shoes for a long period of time (winter shoes during summer/fall months), they should always be kept in a box.

This method does take up plenty of closet space, so if you have a larger collection and a small space, it might not be the right storage solution for you. Instead, try storing your shoes in a canvas closet organizer. Shoes can be safely and compartmentally stored either hung over the closet door or in the closet itself.

Shoe enthusiasts might also consider installing built-in fixtures. Neatly display your collection on built-in shelves designed exactly for shoe storage so that you easily select the right pair for any occasion. Or, try one of the built-ins with shoe drawers or pullouts. Either of these methods also works well for the capsule wardrobe shoe owner. You’ll be able to see clearly the few pairs you own and make wardrobe choices accordingly.

Perhaps your budget doesn’t allow for a professional closet remodel, but you still have a large space to work with. You can create a similar look on a budget in your own closet from local home goods or hardware stores with stackable wood or plastic shelves. Place these at the base or top of the closet and arrange your shoes by category. A quick internet search will return many options for displaying shoes in closets in a range of prices. Shelves and shoe trees are excellent methods for short term storage or for shoes that you wear frequently. A rotating shoe carousel tree can help save space and provide the user with plenty of opportunities to display their footwear.

Temporary storage can be cost-effective and fun. Try putting your shoes in the closet on hangers shaped especially to rest the shoe inside. This works well for flip-flops and sneakers. There are some retailers selling boot hangers, too.

Storage and Lifestyle

Whatever storage method you choose, make sure it matches your lifestyle. For some, the idea of returning shoes to the right container after each use could be daunting. If you know keeping shoes in containers or displaying them will only end in chaos, you might ease-up on storage expectations. Perhaps aim for a simple go-to method like a basket or drawer at the bottom of your closet.

Families on the go might opt for more simple and temporary, quick storage of their shoes. In this case, purchase a basket for each family member and place it near the front door under a bench or coat rack. When family members enter or exit, they can use the basket to grab or drop their shoes quickly. This mudroom storage method is effective and keeps clutter off the floor.

Help lengthen the life of your shoes by taking a bit of time to organize, prep, and store your shoe collection. Just the simple step of storing your sneakers off the floor and inside a box or on a shelf or in a basket will drastically improve the life of your shoe.

If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Armor Storage has got you covered in this department. Here at Armor Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at http://armor-storage.com/.

Every high-school student dreams of the day when they will begin college life and move away from home. Moving into a dorm and finally having the freedom to decorate how you want, clean (or not!) when you choose, and live life by your rules is one of the most exciting things about going to college. When move-in day finally arrives, you don’t want to be struggling with packing, or worse, forget any of the simple necessities that you may have taken for granted at home. It’s important to prepare your checklist of dorm room essentials ahead of time so that you can focus on the fun and excitement of move-in day. Here’s what you need to pack before you leave home.

Bed Linen

There may or may not be a provision for bed linen, including pillow cases, bed sheets, comforters etc. Thus, it is a great idea to keep at least two sets of bed linen. Of course you can bring more, but having two sets is ideal for easy storage because when you wash one, the other will adorn your bed. Bring your pillow and an extra cushion, for support while studying, reading, or watching a movie in bed or on the floor. You can always keep it aside when you don’t need it, and it adds an extra layer of comfort to your dorm decor.

Clothing and Accessories

We all love to show off our style, whether we’re walking to class or walking into a party! However, unlike the plentiful storage space that we find at home, dorm rooms have very limited storage space. Thus, you should only pack enough to fill this storage space comfortably (and to get you through from one laundry day to the next). If you bring too much clothes, shoes, or accessories, all your storage space will be occupied and can make a small space look and feel even smaller. Plus, you need to save room in your wardrobe for all the new clothes you’ll buy at the bookstore to show your school spirit!

Clothes Hangers

While you will have limited storage space in the dorm room, you can make the most of it by bringing and using a variety of hangers. They will not only tidy up your room, but will allow you to neatly stack more clothes within the same space. Look for thin, velvety hangers for shirts, tops, or dresses. Their narrow width will allow you to fit more in the closet than plastic hangers, and the soft coating keeps clothes from falling off. You may also want to bring some different types of specialty hangers, like those designed to hold multiple pairs of jeans or skirts, or a scarf hanger for belts and accessories.

Baskets (For Storage and Laundry)

While storage space in dorm rooms may be limited, baskets can help you make the most of what you’ve got. Storage baskets can help you organize a variety of items, from clothing to school supplies, and give your room a neat appearance by selecting baskets in coordinating colors or materials.

Similarly, a laundry basket will be a savior when you look for a ‘dumping station’ for your dirty clothes. As a bonus, a decorative laundry basket can help you hide the pile in style when inviting over friends or a date. If you don’t want to carry basket, opt for stackable or foldable cartons that can be easily shoved under the bed or in the closet when not in use.

Alarm Clock

College life is not only about fun and freedom, but also about responsibility. Thus, you will need an alarm clock when you have those early morning lectures. While mobile phones can serve the purpose of an alarm clock, many of us may forget charging after a late night studying or hanging out, and accidentally skip an important alarm. Alarm clocks also give an old-school charm to your dorm room, and make it easy to check the time at a glance.

Room Décor

Your dorm room will be your home-away-from-home for a good part of the next few years. Therefore, you should definitely spruce up its look by adding wall art or décor that you like. You don’t have to go over the top and fill your room with random clutter, but include a few special items will make you happy to come back to your room at the end of a tiring college day. If you are a painting or art enthusiast, or a photographer, you should take some of your own masterpieces to adorn the walls of your dorm room. Family pictures, greeting cards and other such memorabilia also make great room décor, and help keep warm memories fresh.

Bathroom Essentials

Towels, a bathrobe, and flip flops are necessities to keep you comfortable and clean during and after a shower at the dorms. A tote to carry your toiletries makes it easy to keep your bathroom stuff in one place, making everything easier to store and easier to carry to or from the bathroom.

Kitchen Essentials

You might have a central kitchen or a personal kitchenette. Whatever the case may be, you should inquire with the school about what supplies and equipment are allowed to be brought. If you are sharing a room with others, it is a great idea to divide these items among yourselves. The cafeteria is going to be a prominent and very exciting part of your college life, but it is recommended that you bring some appliances like a microwave or toaster, to save you on those occasions when you are unable to fetch a meal from outside. An electric kettle will also come in handy for making things like instant coffee, tea, or ramen – the official food of broke college kids everywhere.

Important Documents

You should make a list of all the documents that might be needed in the university, not only during the initial registrations and memberships, but also in the long-run. If you need specific documentation, identity cards, or permissions, it is best to arrange for them well ahead of time. It is best to make copies of important documents and save them properly in digital formats too.

First-aid Kit and Medicines

While it is extremely likely that your dorm will have a first-aid kit and medical room, it is advisable to stock up on these items yourself, too. This way, you won’t have to rely on the availability of a nurse or medical attendant for small needs like band-aids or aspirin. If you take medicines regularly, you should store your prescriptions safely and in a place that can be easily reached. Stock up on your medicines and be sure to refill them before you run out.

Stationery Items

You will likely lose a few pens, notebooks, and post-its. Therefore, keeping some stock of these items is a great idea. Make a list of these items and keep them handy. Bring glass markers and permanent marker to put a label on all your personal belongings that will be kept in common facilities.

Hanging a white board with erasable markers can help you plan your tasks in advance and be more organized. If you are more of a traditional student, hang a monthly or yearly calendar on the backside of your door or on a wall. If you like to maintain a diary, then you should definitely bring one with you to document your experiences.

While this checklist is by no means complete or exhaustive, it should help you get started with packing for dorm life. Once you’ve moved in and can compare your items with what your friends and roommates have, you will figure out what’s left to get. By having the necessities in your bags on move-in day, you’ll ease the transition from home life to dorm life, and set up a comfortable space to call your own.

If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Armor Storage has got you covered in this department. Here at Armor Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at http://armor-storage.com/.

It is difficult to imagine Christmas during the summer when the temperature is soaring high. Unless your house is in a place where the temperature is always freezing, you probably do not think about a summer Christmas. However, summers can be the best time to make plans for your winter festivities. Some of the top reasons why you need to start preparing for Christmas in July include:

• You have a fewer number of parties to go to in July than between Thanksgiving and New Years.
• It is much easier to go gift shopping in the off season than during the holiday rush. The checkout lines are shorter and the malls are less crowded.
• The summer holidays are spaced far from the Christmas holidays and therefore there are lesser distractions in July.
• In July, when the temperature is soaring, you can stay inside your house and plan your holiday.

Come December, being unable to locate certain holiday decorations or easily distinguish which items are stored where can is a common setback that can delay or even halt your holiday decorating for a day or two. Don’t let that missing Wise Man ornament or rumple tree skirt dampen your Christmas cheer! Take advantage of the summer lull and get organized with these Christmas in July off season storage tips.

 

Holiday Decorations

July is best month to lay out all your Christmas ornaments and get them organized. Remember when last Christmas was over? You had just stuffed away all your decorations in a box to deal with next year. You rolled up all your beautiful twinkling lights in a ball and tossed them in an unlabelled box. Getting your Christmas ornaments in order was not on your mind last January; getting your space tidied up and ready for the New Year was the goal.

If you sort out the ornaments in July, you won’t have to sort out them when you have a million things running in your mind. July is the best time to sort out all your decorations and even purchase some new ones.

Sort and Reduce

Since you do not have the pressure of putting up a tree and get the whole family together, you can sort through the decorations and throw out the ones that are broken or outdated, unless of course there is sentimental value attached to any of them. This will be easier to do during the long days of summer.

 

Cooking & Serving Equipment

During the holidays, you take out all your fancy cooking and serving equipment and have a nice family time. But after the festival is over, you have a ton of extra silverware just lying around the house, ready to be stored away in their boxes again. If you have just stuffed them away in a box without giving it much thought, you can use the long months of summer to sort through your cutlery.

If you do not have enough space in your drawer, you can hang your silverware in storage buckets.

If you do not have a deep drawer, you can store your things in an upright position in a cupboard and create small compartments in it to store like cutlery together.

Larger cooking equipment like a turkey fryer or roasting pan can be put back directly in their places. Somewhere out of the way such as the garage or a rented self storage unit is best to keep these infrequently used implements.

 

Car Care Items

Though not typically used for decorating, you likely have a supply of car care items that are only used seasonally. Things like antifreeze, ice scrapers, de-icer spray, and floor mat protectors may be taking up space in your car when they’re not really needed. Or, they may have ended up randomly stored on a shelf or in a lower cupboard after your holiday road trip. July is a great time to get everything out of the car or rounded up together, and to create a designated storage bin that’s easily identifiable come the first sign of frost.

 

Sports & Outdoor Equipment

Storing sports equipment can be a big headache. Skis, sleds, snowboards, and the like take a lot of space and need to be tucked away very delicately so that they do not get damaged.

You can install a shelf or make use of bags or bins to store all your sports gear. Bags and bins will keep equipment from getting lost in the mix and protect it from getting damaged as well.

After the season is over, each family member should go through their sporting equipment and determine which ones need to be stored and which ones need to be donated or replaced. July is the best time to go through all your winter sporting gear to get ready for the season beforehand.

 

Seasonal Clothing

Almost every household has a bunch of seasonal clothing that comes out only during the colder months and is stuffed away in closet, box, or under the bed for the rest of the year. July is the best time to go through Halloween costumes, snow boots, winter coats, etc. After the holiday season is over, take out all your seasons clothing and send them for dry cleaning, repair them, fix the lost buttons and donate the ones that you and your family won’t need anymore.

 

 

Luggage

We generally do not pay much attention to the care of our luggage, but it needs to be looked after as well. During the off season (which could even be during winter break, depending on your typical travel schedule), take out each of your suitcases, duffel bags, garment bags, etc. and clean them inside and out. If any of the zippers or handles need repairing, now is the time to send them in. You should also determine if you need to buy any new luggage and make arrangements to donate the pieces you no longer need.

We often have so much planning, shopping, celebrating, (and eating!) to do during the Halloween to New Year’s Day holiday season that it’s easy to misplace a special decoration or forget where we put the turkey carver last year. Taking time to plan for Christmas in July and to organize all your seasonal items, can really help alleviate feelings of overwhelm and frustration to make more room for the joy of the season.

 

If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Armor Storage has got you covered in this department. Here at Armor Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at http://armor-storage.com/.

There is something unique and indescribably satisfying about cooking your own meals on your camping trip. Whether it’s the rustic charm of simpler times or a welcome break from your usual cooking routine, meals prepared and enjoyed at the campsite are very special. Sharing a delicious meal in the beauty of nature brings family and friends closer, creating wonderful memories that last a lifetime.

While there are many gadgets and accessories available to stock your camping kitchen arsenal, the most important thing to consider while choosing your camping kitchen gear is its utility. When possible, you should select equipment and utensils that serve more than one purpose. This way, you can create a multifunctional cooking space that can be packed in and packed up with ease. Whether you’re gathering the basics for your first camping cookout, or looking to streamline what you already have, the following gear will help you put together a well-appointed and efficient camping kitchen.

Cast Iron Skillet

Believe it or not, the good old skillet made of heavy cast iron is among the most useful cooking accessories in the US. Their versatility makes them a perfect fit to different types of cooking, including stove, bonfire, and oven. What’s more? You can prepare a huge variety of dishes and menus with this single magic utensil. Cast iron skillets require minimal maintenance, and even come in lightweight versions equally as strong as their heavier, more traditional counterparts.

Aeropress Coffee Maker

We all need our cup (or cups) of coffee to start the day off right, and during a camping trip is no exception. While there are many automatic coffee makers that prepare coffee in a jiffy, they still leave all the cleaning up to you. A better, low-fuss alternative is the Aeropress. This instant coffee maker doesn’t need electricity, is small enough to fit in your backpack, and produces a perfect cup of coffee in no time. What more could you ask?

Hand Blender

Few cooking accessories will serve you while camping as much as a good-quality hand blender – also known as an eggbeater. You can use this multipurpose tool for preparing soups, sauces, smoothies and much more. Additionally, it can be used to chop nuts, fruits and vegetables, and also to whisk eggs.

Compact Colander

Cooking in a camping kitchen can require a lot of washing and rinsing. This is where a compact colander, preferably one that can be collapsed, comes to the rescue.  These kitchen helpers come in a variety of sizes, designs and materials; silicone and metal are the most popular. With the right one in tow, you will have no problem rinsing fruits and vegetables or cleaning a freshly caught fish.

Disposable Plates and Cups

You should always carry at least some disposable plates and cups on your camping trips. They come in handy for situations in which it would be difficult to pack or wash traditional reusable dishes or cups. You don’t have to frown at the mention of the word ‘disposable’. There are some amazing, eco-friendly disposables available on the market.

Covered Knives

You will undoubtedly need knives of different shapes and sizes on your camping trips, and it’s wise to keep a separate set designated for cooking. All knives in your camping gear should have covers, especially your cooking knives. Having covers makes it easy for you to keep the knife blades clean, and store and retrieve them without hurting yourself in the process. Needless to say, this is especially important if you have kids with you.

Insulated Gloves

On your camping trip, you will (hopefully) build a bonfire or campfire. Cooking over the open flame means you could be handling hot utensils. This is why you need good-quality gloves to protect your hands. You will be able to prevent many unpleasant burns and injuries with these simple yet effective accessories.

The most important thing to consider before purchasing any of these cooking accessories is their first-hand feedback. Look for options that are used and trusted by many people. Online reviews and user experiences should be your guiding light when purchasing these items. Incorporating these cooking accessories into your camping kitchen can make a big difference in how you prepare meals at your campsite. Once you start using them on the go, you will realize how much of your time and effort they save, giving you additional time to spend enjoying the experience of the trip and making memories.

If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Armor Storage has got you covered in this department. Here at Armor Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at http://armor-storage.com/.