Cleaning up and organizing your home is not always easy. There is a seemingly endless list of demands in life that keeps us busy and there are plenty of things we would rather do when we actually get a break. It can be really hard to fit cleaning into a busy schedule and even harder to get motivated to actually do it. Here are a few things that may help you get yourself motivated to get organized:

MAKE IT A PRIORITY

We all have a lot to get done during any given day; however, if you don’t make organization a top priority, it most likely won’t get done. Start motivating yourself by making organization a priority.

MAKE A LIST

Start off by making a list of the areas in your home that need to be cleaned and organized. Be specific about the things that you want to accomplish. Just having a list can be motivating, however, each time you cross an item off your list, you will feel good about what you’ve accomplished and more motivated to cross other items off.

BREAK IT UP

Big jobs can be hard to get motivated for. It is much easier to commit to working on smaller projects that take less time. The key is to break up the big jobs into smaller ones so they aren’t as intimidating.

SET ASIDE A LITTLE CLEANING TIME

If you schedule a little bit of time for cleaning, you will be much more likely to actually follow through. Plan to spend just 15 minutes every day; cleaning up and getting organized. 15 minutes may not seem like much, but it is much easier to commit to than a bigger chunk of time and a whole lot better than doing nothing. Getting started is often the hardest part of any task, so once you get started, you will likely continue cleaning for longer than 15 minutes. Even if you stop after just 15 minutes, at least you got something done and kept your good habit going.

MULTI-TASK

Cleaning can get pretty boring, so it may help to do a little cleaning while you are doing something else. This can be especially true when you are doing something else that is enjoyable. For example, why not fold a little laundry while you are watching TV or tidy up the kitchen while you are talking on the phone.

MAKE CHORES MORE FUN

It’s hard to think of cleaning and fun in the same sentence, however, with a little imagination you can turn your drudgery into something enjoyable. Try listening to your favorite music while you clean or turn it into a game.

REWARD YOURSELF

It’s a lot easier to get working when you know there is a reward waiting for you at the end. Make sure to reward yourself for your hard work. Probably the simplest reward you can offer yourself at the end of your hard work is a clean and organized home. Picture how nice your home will look when your work is done. If that isn’t enough to get you moving, try rewarding yourself with something more exciting: a little relaxation, a favorite dessert, an episode of your favorite TV show…whatever gets you excited to get the job done.

CREATE AN OCCASION FOR CLEANING

They say that Cortez burned his ships at the beginning of his conquests, to motivate his men and take away any alternatives. If you really want some motivation to get your home in order, you can try the same strategy (without burning anything!) Plan an event at your house and invite your friends. Once the invitations are out, you are guaranteed to find greater powers of motivation to get things cleaned and organized.

CHEAT

Wait a second, “cheaters never win”…right? Well, when it comes to cleaning up your home and getting organized that may not always be true. If all else fails and you have some extra cash, you can always hire someone to do the cleaning and help you get organized.

Last year we wrote an article on dorm room organization. With such a small living space, and so much going on at college, it can be hard to keep your dorm room organized and looking good. If you want a refresher, take a look at that article here for some ideas on how to keep your dorm room in tip top shape.

While we were thinking about college and dorm rooms, we figured it was about time to check back in with the college students out there who are trying to get more organized. Students face unique challenges in keeping their lives organized, and we want to help out.

One of the challenges that many students face, is what to do with their belongings when the school year is over. Whether you are staying on campus, going home for the summer, going on vacation, participating in an internship program, or studying abroad, summer is usually a time when you get to do things a little differently, try new things, and maybe take it a little easier. Unfortunately, you probably can’t leave your belongings in your dorm room or apartment while you are away. For those of you who might be wondering what to do with the stuff in your dorm room when you are away for the summer, here are some things to think about:

Make a Plan

The semester is already drawing to a close. It’s all projects and finals from here on out. Before you get too caught up in your school work though, take a minute or two to think about your upcoming plans and what your storage needs will be. Are you leaving the dorms at the end of the semester? Does your apartment lease end when the semester is over, or can you store your stuff there for a while? If your lease is over at the end of the semester, then what are the easiest and cheapest options for storing your belongings? Take a minute to figure out your immediate future and make a plan for storing your stuff. Having access to a storage unit might make sense and will definitely make your life easier (and less stressful) as you transition from school work and final exams to your summer plans.

Store it

Renting a storage unit can be the safest and most economical option for students who will be leaving for the summer. This is especially true if you share the unit with roommates or friends to spread out the costs. A good storage facility will provide you easy access to your belongings and affordable storage as an alternative to renting a room or moving your stuff in with a friend or back home while you are away from school.

Price Self Storage

Price Self Storage offers many benefits for students looking to store their belongings while they are away for the summer. Here are a couple of the benefits you can expect:

• First month’s rent free

• Free moving truck and driver to make moving your belongings much easier

• Free student move-in kit including boxes, tape and lock

• Convenient access from 7am – 7pm daily

• State-of-the-art security with password controlled gate access systems and recorded video surveillance

You want to make sure that you get a space that is big enough to hold your belongings. Visit priceselfstorage.com and click on the self-storage tab to access our size guide to help you out.

Even if you are sticking around for the summer, a self-storage unit may help you control the clutter in your dorm room or apartment. Price Self Storage can keep your belongings safe, yet accessible, so you can use them any time. Do you need a place to stash your snowboarding equipment during the summer or your surfboard during the winter? Price Self Storage is here to help. Don’t spend the time before school ends this semester stressing out…reserve a storage unit today and you can focus on finals and friends instead.

When a musician plays their instrument, it can be an incredible experience. With the flick of a finger or a simple breath, they can bring the notes on a page to life, shape our emotions, and bring beauty to our lives like few other things can. Whether you are an aspiring musician or an accomplished concert pianist, your musical instrument probably holds a lot of value for you. It goes without saying, then, that you want to take the absolute best care of your instrument. This is especially true when it is in storage. Here are a some tips to help you store your musical instrument properly and keep it in the best shape possible:

Prepare it for Storage

Start by preparing your musical instrument for storage.  Remove mouthpieces and other accessories and clean and polish it as needed. Make sure to loosen the strings on guitars or other string instruments and place tissue paper in the body to keep it free from dirt or insects.

Large instruments such as pianos or harps should be treated with extreme care. If you are uncertain about how to move a large instrument, consider hiring professional movers to help you.

Protect it With a Case

Musical instruments should always be placed inside of a case when stored. Make sure that the case is in good condition and clean. In addition, stringed instruments should be covered with a cloth inside to the case to further protect them and all instruments can be placed in a polyethylene bag to keep out harmful humidity.

Pianos and other large instruments that can’t be stored inside a case should be covered with a sheet or tarp to protect them from dust and dirt.

Store it the Right Way

Musical Instruments, like other valuables, should be kept in a climate-controlled area where temperature and humidity can be controlled. Excessive temperatures or humidity can quickly damage an instrument. In addition, instruments should be kept off the floor and away from open vents and doorways. Never store anything on top of a piano or other large instrument as this can easily cause unnecessary damage.

You should consider getting your instrument appraised to determine the value and get it insured. Take a picture and notes to document the current condition and get an appropriate insurance policy to protect it from theft or damage.

Clean & Tune it Before You Use it

Whenever you take a musical instrument out of storage, you should thoroughly clean and tune it before you begin playing it again. For some instruments, such as pianos, tuning can be a complicated process and you should consider hiring a professional if you aren’t comfortable doing it.

With a little care and proper storage, your musical instrument will last a lot longer, and it will allow you to make sweet music for many years to come.

Not long ago we were in the midst of winter. The days were shorter, the temperature cooler, and the weather not quite as good.  With winter behind us, and our clocks set forward, it’s time to enjoy the sun and longer daylight hours, and maybe do a little spring cleaning…well, maybe…

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be so bad this year. Just focus on these spring cleaning basics and you will soon have everything whipped into shape and be halfway to summer before you know it.

Get Organized

Start by planning out your attack. Make a list of what needs to be cleaned. You can divide the list into rooms and organize it by priority and difficulty. With a good spring cleaning list you will be able to keep your cleaning efforts organized and consistent and you will feel good as you cross things off the list and see your progress.

This is also a good time to evaluate your current organizational system, figure out what is working, and make any needed corrections, so that your system works even better.

You Don’t Have to Tackle it all at Once

You know the old saying, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”?…well, your spring cleaning doesn’t need to be done in a day either. One way to make consistent progress on your spring cleaning without losing steam is to set aside 20-30 minutes each day to work on cleaning and organizing. By committing to smaller chunks of time, it may take a little longer to finish your list, but you will make a little progress each day and won’t risk getting burned out right away.

Thin Out

Now is the perfect time to look over your belongings and try to thin out. Deciding what should stay and what should go can be tough, so try using a system where you group things into 3 groups: “stays”, “goes”, and “not sure”.  As you clean each room, look at items that are causing clutter and put them into one of these three groups. When you are done cleaning you can decide what to do with the items based on which group they are in. For those items that are in the “goes” pile, you can then decide whether to throw it away, donate it, or put it in a storage unit.

Invest in the Right Tools

You don’t mow your lawn with scissors do you? Well, you should make sure you have the right tools for cleaning and organizing your home as well. Make sure to stock up on cleaning supplies before you start your spring cleaning project. You will probably have areas in your home that would benefit from organizers as well: closet organizers, shelving, files, etc. can all help you tame the clutter and get more organized.

Storing Seasonal Clothes

This is a good time to pack up and store seasonal items that you aren’t going to need for a while. Whether it’s your kid’s hockey uniform, skis, or winter clothes, you should take this opportunity to put away these items in an organized way. That way they will be ready for you next winter.

Deep Cleaning

Spring cleaning is when most people do their deep cleaning. That means its time to move closer than your ordinary surface cleaning, and really clean the winter dirt and grime away. Make sure to do the deep cleaning tasks that will really make your home sparkle:

• Dusting: Make sure to dust in the hard to reach and often overlooked places like the ceiling fan blades or behind the TV.
• Focus on the floors, walls and windows: This is a great time to do a thorough job of sweeping and mopping the hard surfaces of your home and steam cleaning your carpets. Don’t forget to wash down the walls and clean the windows inside and out as well. Cleaning up the floors, walls, and windows will make a huge difference in how clean your home looks and feels.
• Clean the places that haven’t gotten hit in a while: Your garage is a great place to start, since things have probably been piling up there all winter. Patios and other outdoor areas have probably also been neglected during the colder months, so now is a good time to get in there and organize.
• Check your appliances: Spring time is as good a time as any to inspect your appliances for wear and tear and do any preventative maintenance that may be required.

Don’t Feel Guilty About Hiring Someone to Clean for You

Let’s face it, spring cleaning can be a ton of work. So, if the idea of spending a lot of time cleaning and getting organized doesn’t sound too appealing (and you have the money to spare), you can always hire someone to help you out…a one-time cleaning or the help of a professional to get you organized could be just what you needed this spring.

Stay Organized

One crucial step that will pay huge dividends down the road is to commit to staying organized and spending a little bit of time each day cleaning. One reason that spring cleaning is so necessary is that we all let some routine cleaning and organizational tasks go as we get busy throughout the year. Just think how much easier spring cleaning would be, however, if you changed your habits ever so slightly and devoted a little more time to consistently cleaning.

Not long ago a photographer and antique camera collector came across a very old camera that he bought to add to his collection. To his surprise, the camera contained undeveloped film inside that was almost 100 years old. The collector carefully developed the photos from the camera and discovered, to his delight (and amazement) that there were several pictures that were still in good condition. It turned out that the pictures documented the final days of World War One. This story gathered international attention soon after it happened for several reasons, not the least of which was the fact that the photos somehow survived when they should have been ruined long ago. While this batch of pictures miraculously endured the years of neglect, most photos are not that fortunate. Most of the time, photos are ruined if proper storage is not planned for and implemented. There is no reason to play Russian roulette with your valuable photos, however. If properly stored, photos can be preserved for many lifetimes. Here are some tips to help ensure your precious photos are around for future generations to enjoy.

Stay Organized

The first step in preserving a photograph is identifying the subject. To help you identify and remember the details of a photo, write as much as much description as necessary on the back. Be sure to include details such as who is in the picture, dates and ages of the people in the picture, where it was taken, etc.  Always use a pencil or permanent marker to write details about the photo on the back. Never use a ballpoint pen, which could easily damage the photo.

Handle with Care

You should handle photos as little as possible. Oils left behind by your fingers can cause dirt to collect or possibly lead to mold growth. When you must handle your photos, try to avoid touching the image side to limit damage. Older photos should be handled with special care as they can be prone to breaking.

Keep Your Photos in a Safe Place

Much like art, antiques, or wine, temperature, humidity, and light are the greatest enemies of long term preservation. When it comes to photos, however, this is especially true. Photographs must be stored in a safe place that has mild temperature, moderate humidity, and little light to protect them from warping, cracking, or fading. This pretty much rules out basements, attics, and garages with their extreme variations in temperature and humidity. Experts recommend a climate controlled location with temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and moderate humidity. Excessive moisture should be avoided at all costs as it could lead to photos sticking together, curling, or mold growth. Interior closets and climate controlled self-storage facilities are ideal for storing photos.

Choose the Right Storage Device

There are a number of photo storage devices on the market, from simple photo albums to custom matting. The decision on what to store your photos in depends a lot on personal preference as well as how often the pictures will be accessed. All materials used to store photographs should be non-acidic and pass the Photographic Activity Test (PAT), which is a test that determines whether or not a specific storage material will cause fading or staining in photos. Storage materials that meet these standards are widely available and easy to find.

Backup

You should make sure that all your photos have a backup copy (negatives or another copy) stored in a safe place separate from the originals in case they are damaged. You can also put your photos onto a computer using a scanner. There are companies that will do this for you as well, if you have a lot of photos to scan.

With a majority of photos taken with digital cameras these days, there is a wide variety of online photo sharing and storage locations to save and keep track of digital photo files. Many of these photo sharing sites also offer printing services so you can create books, cards, and other media to show off your pictures. Some of these sites will even print your pictures onto canvas that you can display as art in your home.

Who doesn’t love art; it beautifies the space around us, brightens up our home or office, and makes us feel life more intensely by conveying our deepest emotions. If you have an art collection but not the means to keep everything on display, then you’ve probably put a little thought into how to properly store your art. Storing art so it stays in good condition takes a little bit of planning and preparation. You can’t just throw it in a closet or the garage and expect it to last.

Art museums throughout the world have also put a great deal of thought and effort into this; allowing us to enjoy the great works of art that have been handed down through the ages.  Museums specialize in preserving artwork and keeping it looking great. Unfortunately, they also spend countless hours attempting to restore works of art that weren’t stored properly. Whether you have a great art collection, or a painting or two passed down through your family, there are some things that you can learn from art museums that will help you preserve your art while it’s in storage.

Handle with Care

Unlike other items that you may store, artwork should be handled with extreme care. When the pros move artwork, they handle each piece one at a time and never carry it by the hanging wire or hooks. They also make sure to use both hands when moving a piece of art and carry it in a vertical position away from their body.

Keep it Safe

Art needs to be kept in a safe, climate controlled environment that is free from humidity, dust, insects, or anything else that could harm it. Moisture and humidity are the worst enemies of art. Just like the art museums do, It is very important to make sure that your art is stored in a climate controlled location and kept dry. Also, make sure to keep artwork away from doors, windows, or vents that could drastically change the temperature and humidity levels.

Besides moisture, insects can cause a lot of damage to art. Make sure that the place you choose to store your artwork is completely free of insects that could cause irreparable damage. You should also periodically check in on your art, examining each piece for any damage.

Keep it Covered

When they store artwork, museums always cover it in protective materials to keep it safe. Your artwork should always be wrapped in protective materials when stored as well. While there are several ways this can be done, blankets, bubble wrap, or cardboard can work well if nothing else is at hand. Make sure to seal the protective wrapping tightly with packing tape and place the wrapped art into an acid-free cardboard box for added protection.

More delicate or specialty pieces of art should be prepared for storage with extra care. If you are not sure what precautions to take with a more valuable or delicate works of art, make sure to consult a professional before you proceed to avoid any unnecessary damage.

Keep it Flat

Museums never ever roll up a valuable work of art. Art should always be kept flat to avoid causing unwanted folds, wrinkles, or other damage.

Framed art work should always be stored vertically. Ideally, the framed art should be kept in special art cabinets, shelves, or vertical storage bins. Each piece should have hanging equipment such a wires or hooks removed and be separated by foam, felt, cardboard, or at least, a blanket. This will help to prevent damage from adjacent works of art.

Artwork that is not framed or matted should be kept horizontally in shallow drawers, cabinets, or art boxes with slip sheets in between each work.

Keep it Organized

Museums keep meticulous records of the artwork they have, both the pieces that are on display as well as those that are in storage. You should keep a record of the art you have in storage as well. Before storing your artwork, you should create a list of each piece, including the name of the artist, a short description and status, and a photo of the work. Besides being essential for insurance purposes, documentation can help you stay organized and keep track of what you have in storage in case you forget.

Being a boat owner is great. There are few things better than taking your boat out on the water, cruising through the waves, water-skiing or wakeboarding, and spending time with friends and family in the sun. What do you do with your boat when you are not using it, however? This is a question that has probably bothered boat owners more than anything else throughout the ages. You can almost imagine the ancient Greeks trying to solve this conundrum with their Triremes after their adventures at Troy were done…

So, what do you do? Where should you store your boat…and how do you get it ready to store? This is a decision that should probably happen even before you buy your boat. If you don’t happen to have a huge garage or plenty space around your house (and understanding neighbors) a boat storage facility is probably your best bet. After you have decided the where, there are some things that you need to take care before you can put your boat in storage.  It may seem like a lot of work with a little payoff, but putting in the work now, before you store it, will ensure that your boat is in great shape and ready to go when the weather gets warmer and you are ready to take it out again. Here are some things that you should be sure to do that will pay big dividends next time you use your boat:

TAKE IT FOR ONE LAST SPIN

This is the easiest and most enjoyable part of the process by far… Before you get it ready for storage, even before you get it out of the water, it is a great idea to take your boat out for one last trip. Besides the obvious benefit of enjoying your boat, you will be able to take note of any repairs that are needed or parts that need to be replaced before you store it.

CLEAN IT

When you are done playing with your boat and have it out of the water, it’s time to get it washed off and cleaned up. Cleaning will help remove unwanted dirt and grime that could lead to corrosion. It will also ensure your boat is in tip-top shape for the next time you use it. A thorough cleaning is especially important for boats that have been in the ocean, as salt water is extremely corrosive. Start the cleaning process by removing the bilge drain plug*, scrubbing the hull and decks and rinsing everything off afterward. Make sure to give the interior of your boat a good cleaning as well. Clean out interior lockers, let them dry thoroughly, and use an anti-mildew product throughout the interior to control mildew and limit musty smells. If your boat has a head, make sure to pump out the holding tanks, flush it out with plenty of fresh water, and treat it with a deodorizing solution as well. Finally, if you are storing your boat indoors, open all the hatches and storage lockers to air it while being stored. If you are storing your boat outside, you should close all the hatches and lockers to keep it sealed from the elements.

*Make sure to close hull drains before launching the boat.

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE

Preventative maintenance is crucial to keeping your boat running and looking its best. You should conduct regular maintenance on your boat; however, you should be especially thorough when you store it. With proper maintenance, you will be out boating while your boating buddies are busy fixing the broken parts on their boats. Whether you pay someone to maintain your boat or do it yourself, here are some of the most important items you should be sure to check before you store your boat:

Engine:  You should look over your engine and do preventative maintenance on it after every trip.

• Look over the engine for corrosion or rust. Also look over the engine clamps, fuel line, belts, and hoses for old or worn parts that should be replaced.
• Check the engine’s oil level and top it off or change it as necessary.
• To help prevent condensation in your fuel system, remove the spark plugs to spray fogging oil into the cylinders and top off your gas tank and add a gas stabilizer.  Make sure to run the engine for a couple minutes to make sure the additives reach the gas already in engine and fuel lines.

Electrical System:  Make sure that all electrical connections are tightly fastened and free from corrosion or damage.  Use an anti-corrosion spray on all electrical connections to keep them functioning properly. You should also check your boat’s battery. If you are storing your boat for a long time, make sure to unhook and remove the battery, clean the terminals to remove corrosion, and grease them lightly. Give the battery a full charge and store it in a safe, warm place.

Bilge pump:  A malfunctioning bilge pump could put you and your boat in a lot of trouble, so make sure to look over the electrical components to make sure it is working and free from corrosion.

Hull:  Look over the hull carefully for signs of cracks or other damage. If you find any damage, it should be repaired immediately.

Propeller:  Examine your propeller for any damage that would require you to repair or replace it. You should also tighten the propeller shaft and nut and grease the assembly.

COVER IT

Your boat should be properly covered with a waterproof tarp or custom watercraft cover, even if you are storing it indoors. A good cover will help keep dust and debris, moisture, and rodents out of your boat. Your motor should also be placed in the downward running position and covered with a tarp or canvas cover. Avoid plastic engine covers that could lead moisture build-up and corrosion.

Preparing your boat for storage is a lot of work, but it will save you time, money, and a lot of heartache down the road. Once your boat is ready to be stored, Price Self Storage has the perfect solution for your boat storage needs at the following, convenient locations:

Norco

Our Norco storage facility is located between Corona and Norco at 2200 Cota St., with easy access from the 15 and 91 Freeways. This secure, state-of-the-art facility offers outdoor RV and Boat Storage.

Solana Beach

Our Solana Beach RV & boat storage location is Southern California’s only 100,000 square foot indoor RV and Boat storage facility! Located in Solana Beach (San Diego) This secure facility has doors large enough to accommodate virtually any size RV or boat and is large enough for easy maneuverability inside. We offer 7 day access for your convenience, spaces ranging from 11’ to 65’ feet in length, pull through and extra wide spaces. Your vehicle will be secure with our state-of-the-art security features like recorded video surveillance cameras and computerized gate access that allows only valid and authorized customers through the security gate system.

Murphy Canyon

Our Murphy Canyon boat storage facility is located on Murphy Canyon Road, just 2 minutes north of the Qualcomm stadium in San Diego. It offers state-of-the-art security, an on-site resident manager, and recorded video surveillance cameras at key locations.

Azusa

Our RV and boat storage facility in Azusa accommodates large vehicles, RV’s, and watercraft of virtually any size. We offer 7 day access for your convenience, spaces ranging from 25’ to 35’ feet in length, pull through and extra wide spaces, as well as a sanitary waste disposal station. Your vehicle will be secure with our state-of-the-art security features such as recorded video surveillance cameras and computerized gate access.