Blog | Westwood Storage Center

The 5 Most Common Self Storage Mistakes—and How to Avoid Them

Renting a storage unit might seem simple at first glance—find a space, fill it up, lock the door, and go. But many renters quickly find out there’s a little more to it than that. Whether you're storing household items, business inventory, or seasonal gear, avoiding a few common mistakes can save you time, money, and a lot of stress down the road.At Westwood Storage Center, we’ve worked with hundreds of tenants over the years, and we’ve seen the same storage blunders pop up time and again. If you’re planning to rent Rathdrum storage units, here are the top five self storage mistakes to watch for—and how to avoid them. 1. Choosing the Wrong Unit Size One of the biggest mistakes people make is underestimating how much space they really need. Renting a unit that’s too small can lead to a cluttered, disorganized space—and possibly even damage to your items. On the other hand, overestimating and paying for extra space you don’t use can be an unnecessary expense.How to avoid it: Take a detailed inventory of what you plan to store, including large items like furniture, appliances, or equipment. Use a storage size guide or ask our team for help choosing the right fit. At Westwood Storage Center, we offer a variety of Rathdrum storage units to meet your needs without overpaying for space you don’t need. 2. Skipping Labels and an Inventory List It may seem like a small detail, but failing to label your boxes or keep an inventory list can create major headaches later. You don’t want to dig through 10 identical boxes just to find your holiday decorations or business documents.How to avoid it: Label every box clearly with its contents and the room it came from. Keep a running list—either on paper or digitally—so you always know what’s in your unit. It only takes a few extra minutes during move-in, and it’ll save you tons of time later. 3. Poor Packing and Stacking Cramming your items into a unit without any plan ...

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March 27th, 2025

Tips for Storing Electronics, Appliances, and Expensive Equipment

Storing valuable electronics, appliances, and high-end equipment requires careful planning to keep them in top condition. Whether you're moving, renovating, or simply decluttering, using self storage in Rathdrum, ID can help protect your belongings and free up space at home. However, without proper preparation, sensitive items can be damaged by dust, moisture, or improper handling.Follow these storage tips to ensure your valuable equipment remains safe and functional while in storage. Clean and Prepare Everything Before Storage Before placing any electronics or appliances in storage, take the time to clean them thoroughly. Dust, grime, and moisture buildup can lead to long-term damage. Electronics: Wipe down screens, keyboards, and surfaces with a microfiber cloth. Remove batteries from devices like remotes, game controllers, and clocks to prevent corrosion. Appliances: Defrost and dry refrigerators and freezers to prevent mold growth. Clean out washing machines and dryers to remove lint and moisture. Ensure all appliances are completely dry before storage. A little cleaning before storage can prevent costly repairs or replacements later. Use Proper Packing Materials To avoid damage, invest in sturdy packing materials designed to protect delicate electronics and appliances. Original Packaging: If you still have the original boxes and packing materials, use them. They provide the best fit and cushioning. Bubble Wrap & Foam Padding: Wrap fragile electronics like televisions, computers, and gaming consoles in bubble wrap or foam sheets for extra protection. Sturdy Boxes: Use heavy-duty boxes for added security, and avoid overpacking to prevent crushing delicate components. Fill any empty spaces in boxes with packing peanuts, foam inserts, or crumpled paper to prevent shifting during transport and storage. Elevate and Cover Your Items Keeping your items off the ground is one of the best ways to protect them from unexpected spills or dust accumulation. Use Pallets or Shelving: Placing items on pallets or shelving allows for better air circulation and prevents exposure to potential moisture on the ground. Cover with Breathable Materials: Instead of plastic wraps, which can trap humidity, use cotton sheets or furniture covers to shield your belongings from dust. These simple steps add an ...

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February 21st, 2025

How to Protect Furniture During Long-Term Storage

When it comes to storing furniture for an extended period, proper preparation and storage techniques are essential to keep your items in excellent condition. Whether you're moving, downsizing, or simply need extra space, safeguarding your furniture from dust, moisture, and damage is critical. If you’re looking for a secure and reliable option, self storage in Rathdrum, ID, offers the perfect solution for keeping your furniture safe and intact. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure your furniture emerges from storage as pristine as the day it went in. 1. Choose the Right Storage Unit The first step in protecting your furniture during long-term storage is selecting the right storage unit. Consider the following: Secure Facility: Choose a storage center like Rathdrum storage units with top-notch security features, such as surveillance cameras, gated access, and on-site staff. Appropriate Size: Ensure the unit is large enough to accommodate your furniture without cramming, which could lead to damage. Westwood Storage Center offers a variety of unit sizes and climate-controlled options, making it easy to find the right fit for your needs. 2. Clean and Prep Your Furniture Before placing your furniture into storage, clean and prep each piece thoroughly. Wood Furniture: Dust and clean with a wood-safe cleaner. Apply a protective polish to prevent cracking or drying. Upholstered Furniture: Vacuum cushions and fabric surfaces to remove dirt and debris. Consider using a fabric cleaner for stains and let everything dry completely to avoid mold or mildew. Metal Furniture: Wipe down metal parts with a mild cleanser and dry them to prevent rust. Proper cleaning not only keeps your furniture fresh but also helps prevent pests and odors during storage. 3. Disassemble Larger Pieces For bulky items like beds, tables, and large shelves, disassemble them before storing. This not only saves space but also reduces the risk of damage. Keep screws, bolts, and other small parts in labeled plastic bags and tape them securely to the corresponding piece. Wrap disassembled parts in protective materials to prevent scratches. Disassembly makes it easier to transport and organize your furniture in the storage unit. 4. Use ...

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January 15th, 2025

Prepping for the Big Move: How to Use Storage Units to Ease Your Transition

Moving to a new home is an exciting chapter, but it can also be a whirlwind of chaos and stress. Between packing, coordinating logistics, and settling into a new space, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, there’s one tool that can make this transition smoother: a storage unit. For those planning a move and searching for self storage in Rathdrum, ID, the convenience and flexibility of a storage unit can transform your moving experience. Here’s how you can strategically use Rathdrum storage units to ease your move and stay organized throughout the process. 1. Declutter Before You Pack Moving is the perfect opportunity to declutter your home. Go room by room and separate items into three categories: keep, donate, and store. By renting a storage unit, you can temporarily relocate items you want to keep but don’t need immediately, such as seasonal decor, extra furniture, or bulky keepsakes. This not only makes packing easier but also ensures your new home isn’t cluttered from the start.A well-organized storage unit in Rathdrum can act as your personal staging area, giving you the breathing room you need to focus on moving essentials. 2. Stage Your Home for Showings If you’re selling your current home, a clean and minimal look can help attract buyers. Use a storage unit to temporarily store excess furniture, family photos, and other personal items. This will make your home look more spacious and inviting, helping potential buyers envision themselves living there.Pro Tip: Label and organize items in your storage unit so they’re easy to find when you’re ready to move them into your new space. 3. Simplify Your Moving Timeline One of the biggest challenges during a move is syncing up your timelines. If there’s a gap between when you need to vacate your current home and move into your new one, a storage unit can bridge the gap seamlessly. Store your belongings in a secure Rathdrum storage unit and access them whenever you need.This flexibility allows you to focus on settling into your new ...

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December 17th, 2024

Living with Roommates: How Self Storage Can Keep the Peace

Sharing a living space with roommates is a great way to save money and enjoy companionship, but it can also bring challenges, particularly when it comes to managing space and clutter. Cluttered environments often lead to stress and conflict, which can strain even the best of relationships. Fortunately, self storage offers a simple and effective solution. At Westwood Storage Center in Rathdrum, ID, we provide flexible and secure storage options that can help keep your shared living environment organized and peaceful. Here’s how our Rathdrum storage units can enhance your roommate experience. Declutter and Destress One of the biggest sources of tension among roommates stems from clutter. Excessive belongings crammed into shared spaces can make your home feel cramped and stressful. Utilizing self storage in Rathdrum, ID, allows you and your roommates to store seldom-used items like seasonal decorations, off-season clothing, and extra furniture. By moving these items out of your home, you free up valuable space and reduce the potential for disputes over whose things are taking up too much room. Fair Use of Shared Spaces Shared living areas are meant to be enjoyed by all roommates, but when these spaces become overrun with personal belongings, it can lead to feelings of frustration and unfairness. By agreeing to use a storage unit at Westwood Storage Center, roommates can ensure that common areas remain open and welcoming. Whether it’s storing extra books, sports equipment, or kitchenware, keeping non-essential items in a storage unit helps maintain balance and ensures everyone can enjoy the home equally. Secure and Accessible Storage At Westwood Storage Center, we prioritize security and convenience. Our Rathdrum storage units are equipped with advanced security features to ensure that your belongings are safe at all times. Additionally, we offer a range of unit sizes and flexible access hours, so you can easily retrieve items whenever you need them. This accessibility is perfect for roommates with varying schedules and storage needs. Simplify Life Transitions Life is dynamic, and living situations can change quickly. Whether a roommate is moving ...

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September 25th, 2024

Preparing Your RV and Boat for Winter Storage: What You Need to Know

As summer draws to a close and the weather begins to cool, it’s time to start thinking about how to properly store your RV and boat for the winter. Proper winterization and storage are essential to keeping your vehicles in great condition and ready for adventure when the warmer months return. At Westwood Storage Center, we offer Rathdrum storage units that provide the perfect solution for keeping your RV and boat safe during the off-season. Here’s what you need to know to prepare your RV and boat for winter storage. Winterizing Your RV Before you store your RV for the winter, it’s important to take the necessary steps to winterize it. This process helps protect your RV from the harsh effects of cold weather, such as freezing and corrosion. Here’s a checklist to help you winterize your RV: 1. Drain the Water System One of the most critical steps in winterizing your RV is draining the water system. Any water left in the pipes, tanks, or water heater can freeze and cause damage. Here’s how to do it: Drain and flush the black and gray water tanks. Drain the fresh water tank. Open all faucets and drain the water lines. Blow out the water lines with compressed air to ensure all water is removed. Add RV antifreeze to the water system to prevent any remaining water from freezing. 2. Protect the Plumbing To protect your RV’s plumbing system, it’s essential to add RV antifreeze to the pipes. Pour antifreeze into the drains and flush it through the toilet to ensure the entire system is protected from freezing temperatures. 3. Inspect and Seal the Exterior Inspect the exterior of your RV for any cracks, gaps, or damage. Seal any openings with caulk or weatherstripping to prevent moisture from entering and causing damage. This will also help keep out pests that may try to find shelter in your RV during the winter months. 4. Clean and Store the Interior Clean the interior of your RV thoroughly before storing it for the winter. Remove all perishable items, clean ...

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August 26th, 2024