Self Storage Eases the Task of Swedish Death Cleaning

I’ll admit it. Swedish death cleaning sounds morbid. The first thing that comes to mind is a couple of ethereal, ghoulish figures floating around the house with a Dyson and a feather duster. Or maybe a new cleaning service: The Living Dead: We Get Rid of the Skeletons in Your Closet.

Neither of those examples is even close to the reality of Swedish death cleaning. According to Margaret Magnusson, author of the book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, it is “the process of radically decluttering your home so your children don’t have to do it after you’ve passed away.” Personally, I think it’s a fabulous idea.

Time and again I’ve watched friends and family, while trying to deal with their own grief, have to deal with the mess and clutter left after a death. The chaos, hostility,and  bitterness that follows these events can last a very long time. Swedish death cleaning can prevent all of this ugliness. It is reflective, gentle, and considerate of everyone’s feelings. Decluttering is a kindness to everyone left behind. It is meant to help to smooth the grief process for family and friends.

When to Start the Process

It’s probably a good idea to begin this process at around age 65. At this age, unless there are extenuating circumstances, mental capacity is still good and the confusion that can accompany aging hasn’t set in.

Some people are completely on board with this concept and happy to make things easier for their children and other relatives. Then, of course, you will have the people that have difficulty dealing with any type of change or simply don’t care what happens after their own demise. Here are a few tips to get your parents or other elderly family members to “buy in” to this process. Actually, it doesn’t hurt to make it a goal for your own future.

The “Safety” Perspective

  • Mention that throw rugs, small tables, and ottomans are potential trip and fall hazards. They need to be removed.
  • Piles of books, newspapers, and magazines are not only unsightly, but a fire hazard. They need to go.
  • Items piled haphazardly on the top shelf of a closet may fall out when the door is opened, causing a head injury. They need to be sorted and reorganized.

Make it Their Idea

  • Admire a few items that you would like to have now. Many elderly people love to give

away their belongings, and they are flattered if a family member is interested enough in an object to want to own it. This may encourage them to give away even more items.

  • A piece of jewelry or another memento will be so much more meaningful if it is gifted to that special grandchild or family member while the owner is still living. A story can be shared that will create a lasting memory that is forever linked to that gift.

The Best Solution

The perfect solution for this task is a secure, affordable self-storage unit. If your parents or loved ones are having difficulty letting go of their belongings, you can involve them in making the decision to store rather than discard items. Turn this chore into a special event by asking your parents or elderly loved ones to share their favorite memories of special objects. You can record these moments, take pictures of the items, and create a memory journal. Another thing to keep in mind – there will be some bad memories, and this process enables you and your family to let go of them.

Placing these items in storage is not as final as discarding or donating them; that can be done much later. Your parents will be more relaxed knowing that they can give some thought to what they want done with their possessions. In fact, they may enjoy discovering things that they’ve forgotten about. This gives you plenty of time to consult with other family members as to what they might want.

Introducing the Swedish death cleaning concept can be difficult. It requires sensitivity and tact. But, once you’ve begun an open dialogue, you’ll find it far less traumatic than expected. Don’t be hesitant; in the end you’ll have that good feeling of knowing that you’ve done the right thing for everyone involved.

The Secret to an Organized Storage Unit

The holidays are coming, and you’ll soon need some items that are probably in your storage unit. When your searching for Halloween costumes, Christmas and Thanksgiving decorations or cozy comforters for the guest room, the last thing you want to do is pull everything out of your storage unit and start unpacking boxes. This is not only a huge waste of time, but frustrating and inconvenient. A little bit of time and effort devoted to planning and organizing will alleviate a lot of inconvenience.

Before you start packing the unit, you need to find one. Look for a convenient, dependable, secure storage facility. Once you rent the right-size unit in the right location, you’re ready to store your belongings.

We’ve compiled a few tips to help you get started with packing and organization.

 

First, Pack…

  • List, Label, and Mark:  Before you start randomly throwing items into boxes, make a list and assign items to their appropriate box. Attach labels so that you know the contents of the boxes. It’s a good idea to jot down the replacement value of each item. If you ever have to file an insurance claim, you’ll be glad you spent the extra time. Take a minute to place a special mark on boxes that you may need to access frequently and be sure to number each box.
  • Identify Items that are Marked for Easy Access:  Items that you will use frequently, or even yearly, should be packed last, in the front of the unit. Give extra thought to items that you may need sooner rather than later.
    • Holiday decorations, costumes, or bake ware
    • Winter linens and comforters
    • Seasonal clothing
    • Camping or seasonal sports supplies
    • Children’s toys
    • Important documents
  • Fill Your Boxes:  Don’t leave boxes partially empty. Fill up the entire box, placing a few heavy items on the bottom and filling to capacity with lighter items.
  • Be Cautious with Large Appliances:  Store freezers and refrigerators with doors open and drain washing machines to avoid mold and mildew. 
  • Use Wardrobe Boxes:  If you have enough space, store your seasonal clothing in wardrobe boxes. Placing them on hangars will retain their shape and keep them in good condition. You can store shoes and boots in the bottom of the boxes.
  • Store Tools and Equipment with Care:  Completely drain fuel from these items, and rub them with oil to prevent rust and corrosion.

Then, Organize…

  • Plan an Organized Layout:  Create a general plan of how you’re going to organize furniture and boxes in your unit. Put some thought into how you’ll place these items. Ideally, furniture and large appliances should be against a wall opposite the boxes. Leave space in the middle of the unit for easy access. Boxes that you’ll need to access frequently should be stored last.
  • Cover the Floor:  Before storing your boxes, place pallets on the floor. This will prevent pests and insects from gathering under your boxes.
  • Place Small Boxes/Items on Shelves:  Shelves are a great option for smaller boxes and items that you may not be packing like lamps and small electrical appliances. If you place the shelves toward the front of your unit, you can easily grab things that you may need regularly.
  • Create a Master Content Inventory:  As mentioned in #1 “List, Label and Mark.” You need a Master List that shows the box number, the identity of each item in the box, and the replacement value. This sounds troublesome, but you’ll be so glad you have this list when you’re looking for a specific item or if you ever need to make an insurance claim. 
  • Map Your Unit:  Make a map of your stored boxes and items, place it on a clipboard, and hang it in a visible location in your unit. There’s no need to get too technical, a hand drawn sketch will work. This will make it easy to find the items that are “buried” in the back.

At first glance, these tasks seem like a lot of time and trouble, but the effort is definitely worth it. When the holidays arrive and you’re looking for those decorations, you’ll find your item with ease. 

 

 

Quick Tips to Winterize Your Storage Unit

It’s mid-September, which means it’s still hot in many locations, but the cool weather is right around the corner. It’s time to think about retrieving those holiday decorations, cozy sweaters, and comforters. Perhaps you take a winter vacation and need to pick up your ski equipment and snow boards. Or, maybe you just want to remove and protect the clutter in your backyard so that you can free up space in the garage.

While you’re busy grabbing your winter items and storing those barbecue grills and pool toys, maybe you should think about a quick cleaning and winterizing of your storage unit. You’re probably thinking that it wasn’t so long ago that you gave you’re unit a good spring cleaning. That’s probably true, and since you were so diligent with your decluttering and reorganizing, winterizing should be easy. 

 

Winterizing Tips

  • Get a Jump on Winter Storage

Finish this task while the weather is still warm and sunny. Loading and unloading is just not fun in chilly, rainy weather.

  • Dry Your Summer Items

Be sure your summer items are completely dry prior to storing them. Pool toys and rafts should be completely drained and dry. Patio cushions should be clean and wrapped in sheets to maintain their condition, and patio furniture should be cleaned and thoroughly dried.

  • Check for Water

While you’re moving items in and out of the unit, do a quick interior and exterior check for water leaks.

  • Sweep Your Unit

Give your unit a quick sweep and dusting if necessary. If you did a thorough spring cleaning, there shouldn’t be much dust or debris.

  • Check Containers

If your storage containers are damaged or cracking, low temperatures can cause further deterioration. Replace them.

  • Wrap Your Belongings

You can’t add insulation to your storage unit, but you can protect your belongings from the cold by wrapping them securely in paper or fabric.

  • Use a Weatherproof Lock

If you have an exterior unit, you might consider a weatherproof lock. You probably have a lock, but all locks are not the same. In extreme conditions some locks can freeze, not only causing a major inconvenience but compromising the security of the lock.

  • Check Electronics

Be sure to remove batteries to prevent freezing and corrosion.

  • Protect Your Vehicles

Winterizing is crucial to protect your vehicles. Not only your cars, but your boats and RVs need to be properly winterized to maintain their condition. Whether you’re using interior, covered, or uncovered storage, drain fluids, remove batteries, and clean thoroughly. Don’t forget protective covers, but avoid plastic because it traps moisture resulting in mold. A better choice is a natural fabric like wool or cotton.

If you have questions or concerns about getting your unit ready for winter, always ask your self-storage facility managers. They are always willing to help and address your concerns. Happy winter!

 

Prepping for the Big Move

You already know that moving isn’t easy. It’s stressful, frustrating, and just plain exhausting. You can read all of the tips, tricks, and hacks that you can lay your hands on, but that won’t make it an event that you’re anticipating with enthusiasm.

To ease the pain, think about the big picture. Keep your eye on the prize, and visualize yourself relaxing in your gorgeous new home with everything in place. The movers are gone and life is back to normal. Don’t worry too much; it will be over soon.

Organize and Plan

A moving planner notebook with checklists is a must. You can find one on Amazon or in your local bookstore. You may even want to purchase a binder and make your own planner with lined paper and dividers. If you do decide to create your own planner, there are plenty of downloadable planning guides to help you. Whatever you do, do something! You need a place to organize your thoughts, make your lists, and guide your actions. Whether you create your own planner or buy one, be sure that there are pockets somewhere in it for receipts and random notes that you may need later.

Move

Yes, you will save money by asking your friends, family, and acquaintances to help. Professional movers are more costly, but they have the manpower and expertise to get the job done quickly and efficiently. They carry extra boxes and supplies and can help with last-minute packing. This can be a huge life saver!

Be sure to book the moving company for the first time slot of the day. Everyone will be fresh and alert, and there is less chance of a delay. If you have a large move, timing won’t be an issue because your movers will be with you all day (maybe two).

Declutter

Moving is the perfect time to purge your belongings. Do it ahead of time. Make three piles: “Keep,” “Donate,” and “Discard.” There are some articles that suggest adding a “Recycle,” pile. “Recycle” is up to you, but don’t make this too complicated. The idea is to make your move less work.

When decluttering, self-storage can be your secret weapon. If you rent a storage unit and gradually move things in prior to moving day, it will be easier to organize your belongings. Look around and think about what you don’t use on a regular basis. You can store seasonal holiday decorations, the table setting and linens that you only use at Christmas, and even some of your kids’ larger toys. This saves time on moving day, and you can retrieve these items when you need them or once you’ve settled into your new home. You may eventually find that you don’t even want some of these items, and you can donate or dispose of them when the moving chaos subsides.

In some cases, as a seller, you may have to be out of your home by a certain date. This means renting a hotel room or staying with family. If this situation does occur, you’ll need a convenient, secure place to store your belongings and give yourself some flexibility. Units are available in a variety of sizes, depending on the amount of furniture and other items that you need to store.

Pack

  • Supplies: Now it’s time to get those supplies together. If you’ve already decided to pack and store some items, you’ve probably begun to accumulate boxes, tape, tape dispensers, bubble wrap, wrapping paper, colored tape, markers, and various other packing supplies. You can find all of these things at your local storage facility, as well as many big box stores. Raiding the grocery store dumpsters and your friends garages is not always the best idea. Grocery store boxes may be harboring insects and spoiled food, and used boxes are sometimes in a weakened condition. Certain moving companies have a supply of used boxes that are still in great condition. If offered, you will definitely want to take advantage of that service.
  • Color Code: Be sure to color code, label, and number your boxes. Just stick a piece of colored tape on each door frame in your new home to coordinate with the tape on the boxes that belong in that room. Moving day will go far more quickly when the movers know where to stow your boxes. Do your best to create a detailed list of the contents on each box, and unpacking will be a breeze because you know what’s inside.
  • Photos: Keep that cell phone handy. Before you disconnect TV’s, computers, sound bars, speakers, and any other electronic devices, take a picture.Trying to guess how they were connected won’t work, and reading the directions (if you can find them) is tedious and frustrating. Try to remember to take pictures of the contents of your boxes. Yes, you are making lists of the contents on each box, but you may miss something. Having a picture to go along with the list can be more helpful than you think.
  • Pack the Same Room in the Same Box: Everything that goes into a box needs to come out eventually. Don’t pack your frying plans with your shoes. Unpacking items that all belong in the same room saves time and energy.
  • Kitchens and Bathrooms: Pack these rooms as early as you can. They take the most time and planning. If you have more than one bathroom pack all but one, and close the doors. Use only one bathroom for a few weeks.There should be no cooking for the last few days prior to the move. You can live on cereal and takeout; and, of course, use only disposable plates and utensils.
  • The Golden Rule: The heavier the item, the smaller the box. Save the larger boxes for things that are lighter and more cumbersome on their own. Your movers will thank you.
  • Decide on the Best Place to Keep Packed Boxes: Once the boxes are packed, you need to designate a specific place to keep them neatly stacked. Choose the garage, a spare bedroom, or whatever space works best for your family.

Moving will never be a dream but, with the right amount of preparation and planning, you can keep it from turning into a nightmare. The key is organization and staying ahead of the game. You’ve got this!!

 

Your Storage Unit Needs a Good Spring Cleaning!

If it’s been awhile since you’ve visited your storage unit, you may be astonished to find that your home isn’t the only area that needs a thorough spring cleaning.  Your storage unit should also be on your list for a refresh and maybe some reorganization. When you made the decision to use storage, you were probably so relieved to get the stuff out of your house that you were a bit lax with labeling and organizing.  It’s easy to store your stuff, and forget about it…”out of sight, out of mind.” Well, they may be out of sight, but your belongings are still there, right where you left them.

Now that you’ve finally made up your mind to get this job done, keep it from becoming an overwhelming task. Here are a few tips to get your started (and hopefully, finished!)

  • Set a Deadline:  Pick a date, and stick to it.  This is kind of like making an appointment with yourself that you must keep and will help you to get motivated.
  • Invite Friends:  When other people have committed to help you, you’ll be that much more likely to be committed yourself.
  • Remove Everything:  Take everything out of your unit so that you can sweep and clean before re-organizing your space.  Chances are that everything will be dusty and may need to be re-positioned. It’s a good idea to refold stored textiles and linens to prevent creases from forming.
  • Start by Opening Boxes:  People generally lose track of the items they’ve stored.  If you haven’t visited your unit in a long time, you may be pleasantly surprised to find some family heirlooms or possessions you thought you’d lost.
  • Keep, Discard, Donate:  Go through the same process that you did when you decided what to store.  As you open your boxes and sort your belongings make “keep, discard, donate” piles.  If you haven’t retrieved something in more than a year, it’s probable that you’ll never need or use it. Maybe one of your helpers could use some of these items.
  • Consolidate:  Free up storage by consolidating.  There will be items that you never use but just can’t part with. Try to combine them in the same boxes and keep them in the back of the unit.
  • The “Wait and See Box:”  For those items that you not sure about, use a “wait and see box.”  You can review this box during your next spring cleaning; and, if you haven’t used these things in the past year, discard or donate them.
  • Label and Redistribute Weight: When you’ve finished re-packing, be sure to distribute weight evenly, with heavier items on the bottom.  Clearly label everything to make the next cleaning easier.
  • Reorganize With a Plan:  Create a written map or drawing of the unit to indicate where items can be found.  Items can be grouped in any way that is appropriate for your life. For example, you can group by person, room, or importance. Leave this plan on a clipboard hanging on the wall of your space for easy reference.  Store belongings that you don’t use regularly in the back of the unit. Save the front space for things you use more often and for seasonal items. Be sure that unused space in dresser drawers, cabinets, or freezers is filled with belongings.  If possible, leave aisles with room to move around and see all box labels. If you’re super organized, take photos with your phone so that you can check to see what’s in your space prior to making a trip.

The most important thing to take with you to your unit is a positive mindset.  Focus on the feeling of relief that comes from a good cleaning and reorganization.  Visualize yourself walking away with the knowledge of a job well done and a task crossed off your list.

If you don’t have a storage unit, and you need one for all of your extra stuff, check out our Choosing the Right Self-Storage Facility blog. You won’t have to clean it until next year!

 

 

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