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  • Sustainable Ways to Get Rid of Old Clothes

    Did you know that, on average, Americans throw away about 81 pounds of clothing each year? If that seems like an astonishing statistic, here’s another one for you: most Americans don’t wear about 82% of what’s in their wardrobes. Why are we putting so much clothing into the landfills? Better yet, what are some more sustainable ways to dispose of unwanted clothing?

    • Donate it. This is, obviously, everyone’s first thought. Unfortunately, much of the clothing people donate each year still winds up in the landfill. There’s so much donated clothing every year that many retailers can’t keep up with it. Often, it ends up being sent overseas, where it’s shredded and repurposed, or thrown away. That being the case, there are some great places to donate clothing, including nonprofits, schools, churches, or mutual aid groups. Call around to see who can use what you need to discard. You can also look into online groups like freecycle, where you may be able to find people to take the clothing you no longer want.
    • Sell it. Consignment stores are good places to sell clothes that are in good shape, but they aren’t the only option. There are also secondhand clothing apps and sites like Poshmark and Thredup, where you can send your unwanted duds to be sold. Of course, there’s also eBay if you’re interested in managing the listings yourself.
    • Recycle it. Did you know that many articles of clothing can be recycled? Fabric from worn out clothing can be shredded and used for insulation, furniture stuffing, and many other purposes. Look for textile recycling programs in your area.
    • Repurpose it. There are tons of creative ideas for ways to use clothing that’s not nice enough to donate or sell. Some of your old clothing will make great cleaning rags, other items will make a perfect rag rug, or you could make a bag or stuff a pillow with clothing you no longer need.
    • Swap it. Clothing swaps can be a fun way to bond with people you know and get some new clothes at no cost. Host a swap party: invite your most fashionable friends, set out some snacks, and start swapping!
    • Compost it. Natural fabrics like cotton, linen, hemp, wool, bamboo, silk, and ramie are all biodegradable and can be composted. Make sure they’re not blended with anything like polyester, take out non-compostable parts like zippers and buttons, shred them thinly, and they’ll be perfect for your compost pile. Keep the ratio right, limiting your clothing to 25 percent or less of your composting.

    If you need to store some old clothing while you determine the best thing to do with it, we’ve got you covered. Pouch Self Storage has been operating mini-storage facilities since 1979 and is committed to keeping our clients’ belongings safe. Founded by John Yelland, who hails from Australia, Pouch Self Storage is named in honor of the kangaroo’s pouch- nature’s safe and secure storage spot. We’re an industry leader in design, building, and maintenance of self-storage facilities, and we strive to give our occupants the most advanced security systems available. At our nine Southern California facilities, you’ll find state-of-the-art computer monitoring systems that allow our self-storage managers to monitor the opening and closing of every storage unit door, 24 hours a day. Currently, we’re abiding by CDC recommendations and implementing social distancing, but you can still reach us by calling (800) 378-4598 or contacting us through our website.

  • Mental Health Benefits of Decluttering

    Over the past year, have things gotten a little bit cluttered in your house? It’s happened to a lot of us, as we- and our family members- have spent a lot more time at home. If you’re looking for a way to refresh your space, decluttering is a great first step towards improving your décor. What you may not know, though, is that decluttering can be good for your mental health.

    • Clutter can increase your likelihood of depression and anxiety. Our brains are wired to be less anxious when things around us are orderly. In fact, recent research indicates that cluttered spaces create high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which then causes anxiety and depression. So, when you declutter, you’re alleviating a source of stress.
    • Your sleep may improve in a decluttered bedroom. When your home, and especially your bedroom, are cluttered, your mind can be full of uneasy thoughts. This interrupts your sleeping patterns and can result in poor sleep. If you want a good night of sleep, get rid of the chaotic clutter in your bedroom.
    • A cluttered house can aggravate your allergies. Clutter conceals contaminants of all kinds, from pet hair and dust to mold and mildew. This makes it a breeding ground for harmful allergens. When you declutter and organize, you can improve your indoor ventilation, which helps prevent mold buildup. You’ll also be able to clean more easily where pet dander and dust have gathered, improving your indoor air quality and alleviating allergic symptoms.
    • Getting rid of clutter can improve your relationships. When you share a home, whether with roommates or family members, clutter can put a strain on your communal harmony. Keeping the house clutter-free makes everyone feel happier and prevents fights over messes.
    • The act of decluttering is good for your overall well-being. Physically, decluttering requires you to get moving, so it burns calories and can energize you. Mentally, the decision-making and problem-solving skills required in decluttering create a feeling of confidence in your own competency. When you’re decluttering, your mind has space to wander, and that can lead to lightbulb moments that help you with the rest of what you need to do. One more bonus? While you’re decluttering, you will often find things you didn’t even remember you’d lost. In this way, decluttering can reveal lost treasures and ultimately save you money.

    Pouch Self Storage has been operating mini-storage facilities since 1979 and is committed to keeping our clients’ belongings safe. Founded by John Yelland, who hails from Australia, Pouch Self Storage is named in honor of the kangaroo’s pouch- nature’s safe and secure storage spot. We’re an industry leader in design, building, and maintenance of self-storage facilities, and we strive to give our occupants the most advanced security systems available. At our nine Southern California facilities, you’ll find state-of-the-art computer monitoring systems that allow our self-storage managers to monitor the opening and closing of every storage unit door, 24 hours a day. You can still reach us by calling (800) 378-4598 or contacting us through our website.

  • Steps to Decluttering your Closet

    An uncluttered closet makes for an easier life, so why do so many of us find it so hard to declutter our closets? It can be a struggle, but it doesn’t have to be. Follow these simple steps and you’ll soon have a closet that’s neat and organized. Best of all, you can get it done in about fifteen minutes!

    • Start with the right supplies. You’ll need three large bags or boxes and a permanent marker for labeling them. One will be for donations and two will be for removing items from the closet for now. If your closet is low on hangers or needs some reconfiguring, go ahead and get new hangers, organizers, or whatever else you’ll need.
    • Move quickly to pull out things you’re ready to give away. Anything that doesn’t fit, clothes that you don’t really life, and pieces you never wear can all go into the donations bag. Don’t spend too much time on this, just grab the things you absolutely don’t want to keep.
    • Fill the second bag with things that don’t fit, but that you’re not ready to lose just yet. This should be a small amount of clothing, only your favorites among your non-fitting items. Again, don’t get hung up on this. If something feels hard to let go, go ahead and keep it for now. In a few months, go through this bag again and pare it down further.
    • Move special occasion items out of the way. Only keep the pieces you actually need and wear, moving them to the far end of your closet.
    • Fill the third bag with things you haven’t worn in a year. First, lay them on the bed and be honest with yourself about whether or not you’ll ever wear them again. If you can’t see yourself in them, donate them. If there’s a possibility that they can still work for you, put them in the third bag and label it “maybe”. If you’re on the fence, go ahead and put it in the bag. You can revisit the bag later and donate more things.
    • Store the three bags you just filled. Put the donations bag in your car and take it to the thrift store as soon as possible. Don’t hang onto it until you find the perfect recipient, just donate it. Store the other three bags in your closet if there’s room or in a storage area if you don’t.
    • If you have more time, set aside an hour to do a more in-depth declutter. Take everything out of the closet, then make essentially the same decisions you made in the fifteen minute process, just more carefully. Find a place for everything so that you can keep it tidy, installing shelves if necessary, to give yourself more organizational options.
    • Set yourself up for future success. Make some rules for yourself, to keep your closet from getting cluttered again. Only buy things that will fit, look good, and go with things that you already own. Don’t buy things just because they’re on sale, if they’re not going to make a positive contribution to your wardrobe.

    Pouch Self Storage has been operating mini-storage facilities since 1979 and is committed to keeping our clients’ belongings safe. Founded by John Yelland, who hails from Australia, Pouch Self Storage is named in honor of the kangaroo’s pouch- nature’s safe and secure storage spot. We’re an industry leader in design, building, and maintenance of self-storage facilities, and we strive to give our occupants the most advanced security systems available. At our nine Southern California facilities, you’ll find state-of-the-art computer monitoring systems that allow our self-storage managers to monitor the opening and closing of every storage unit door, 24 hours a day. Currently, we’re abiding by CDC recommendations and implementing social distancing, but you can still reach us by calling (800) 378-4598 or contacting us through our website.

  • Getting Ready to Sublet Your Apartment

    There are lots of great reasons to sublet your apartment, from covering your rent when you’re going to be traveling for a few months to moving to a new place without breaking your current lease. There are plenty of things to consider when you sublet your apartment, including what items you need to move to a storage unit before the new tenant moves in. Keep these things in mind as you prepare for your sublet.

    Check with Your Landlord
    Many people who sublet their apartments try to do it without getting an OK from their landlords. This risky game could be very costly in the end. Some leases prohibit subletting completely, while others require sublet tenants to go through a credit check. It’s a good idea to work with your landlord during subletting, so you don’t open yourself up to expensive fines for violating your lease agreement.

    Pack Up Your Valuables
    When you’re going to have a tenant in your home, it’s a good idea to make sure that your valuables move out with you. Although you should of course remove valuable jewelry and expensive electronics, but don’t overlook items that are simply valuable to you. If you have a set of glasses or some pots and pans you do not want to risk getting damaged or removed, pack them up. Fortunately, you don’t have to cart your good stuff around. A secure storage unit will keep your items safe until you need them again.

    Set Up Clear Lines of Communication
    When you sublet your apartment, you’re still ultimately responsible for what happens there. Prevent communication breakdowns from occurring by setting a schedule for how and when you want to check in with the new tenant. You may want to do weekly calls, ask for a monthly email on a certain date, or request to stop by at period intervals to check the place out. Keeping the lines of communication open will help to make your sublet a success.

    POUCH Self Storage can help you get you get your items out of your home before your sublet with our self-storage units , available in a range of sizes. Find out how to rent a storage unit in Lake Forest by calling (800) 378-4598.

  • Tips for Solving Organization Struggles for Small Businesses

    Small businesses tend to have a lot of hurdles to jump over in order to be successful. The best way to keep a small business running smoothly is to stay organized. If office supplies or inventory starts to clutter your workspace or storefront, consider renting a self storage unit. Some storage facilities offer supplementary services for your convenience, such as a free moving truck, so do your research. Watch this video to learn another way to keep your business organized.

    Since 1979, POUCH Self Storage has been providing our customers with fantastic business storage units, as well as standard self storage units in Anaheim. Call us today at (800) 378-4598 for more information, including how you can reserve one of our personal or business storage units.

  • What Are the Advantages of Using Self Storage?

    Have you ever felt your home may be a bit cluttered? As you collect different personal belongings throughout the years, or after holidays, it can be easy to run out of space to store your items at home. There are many reasons why it may not be an option to simply get rid of or donate extra stuff. Self-storage units are a great option for storing the items you don’t want to throw out, but just do not have enough space for.

    self storage | orange county There are many reasons why self storage can be helpful to anyone who has run out of closet, garage or other space. For example, if you have a lot of items used for seasonal activities such as skiing or snowboarding, holiday decorations, etc. there is no reason those items should be stored at home. For items you use sparingly, but still have a use for, self-storage units provide additional storage space that can be accessed regularly.

    When you are looking for self storage in Orange, Los Angeles or San Bernardino Counties, POUCH Self Storage has many options available to suit your needs. Call one of Self Storage Specialists at 800-378-4598 or visit our website to learn more about our storage units, and other things we offer.

  • How to Arrange Items in Your Storage Unit

    Renting storage units is an excellent way to store your items without wasting space in your homes or office. However, in order to make the most of your self storage space in Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino County, you need to come up with a plan for how you’re going to arrange your items inside of your self storage units. Otherwise, there’s a good chance that you’ll have trouble finding items you need quickly and will only end up doing some serious re-organizing as a result.

    Before you put anything into a self storage unit, make sure the unit is big enough to house all of your belongings. Then decide which boxes or items you won’t need as often as others and designate space towards the back of the unit for them. You should also make sure that all of your things are packed properly, using quality packing supplies so that nothing will get damaged as you move into the unit.

    POUCH Self Storage has storage units of all shapes and sizes. Call us at (800) 378-4598 or visit us at www.pouchselfstorage.com to discover how climate controlled storage can benefit you and to get information on other services we offer.

  • Signs You Need to Boost Your Storage Space

    Cluttered Closet When you use self-storage in Orange County , Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County, we will ensure you have the most amount of space for your money to store your belongings. Self-storage units can be used for a variety of purposes, including records management and business storage. When you find your existing storage space is feeling cramped, it may be time to look into getting a larger space. Here is a list of the signs that you may need to boost your storage space with jumbo size storage units.

    Your Closets Are Full
    One of the top signs that it is time to boost your storage is a closet that is completely filled. Over the months and years, it is easy to accumulate extra items in your home. When you find your closets jam-packed with items you don’t use daily, it may be time to rent a storage unit.

    You Park Outside of Your Garage
    Many homeowners use their garages as storage spaces. If your garage is so full with bulky items that you can no longer fit a car inside, this is a good sign you are ready to move your belongings into storage.

    You Have Trouble Locating Items You Need
    When your home or business is cluttered with many items, it may be hard to locate documents or objects that have been tucked away in a closet or on a shelf for a long period of time. Renting a storage unit, will allow you the opportunity to organize and streamline your items.

    POUCH Self Storage provides top-rated service in the Orange, San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties services. Our jumbo storage units will provide you with all of the space you need to clear out your home or office and get organized. Call a POUCH Self Storage Specialist at (800) 378-4598 or visit us on the web at www.pouchselfstorage.com to learn more about available self-storage units .

  • Coping With Clutter [INFOGRAPHIC]

    Are you drowning in a sea of clutter? Clutter is easy to accumulate and hard to eliminate, and having too much of it can be costly in many ways. From the wasted money spent on unlivable home square footage to the lost hours of productivity at work, clutter comes with financial, physical, and emotional costs. An Orange County self-storage company put together this infographic that explains the cost of clutter and how you can reclaim your home and office. Clutter can happen to anyone, so please pass this valuable information along to everyone in your network.

    Coping With Clutter

  • Tips for Simplifying Your Life

    No matter how old you are or what phase of life you’re in, chances are you’ve thought about ways you can simplify your life. While getting rid of most of your worldly possessions might seem like a noble goal, it’s just not realistic for most people. The good news is there are many ways you can simplify your life. You can start by stripping down the contents in your house. Try doing it by what you need on a daily or weekly basis, in the meantime rent a self-storage unit to help eliminate clutter. Keep reading for more tips on simplifying your life.

    Packing for Storage

    Rent a Storage Unit
    As you take a look around your home, do you notice things you need or want to keep—but just don’t need very often? Renting a self-storage unit is a great way to help maximize the space in your home. Store furniture, file boxes, clothes, electronics, and various keepsakes you don’t want to part with, but simply don’t need taking up space in your home. With fewer items around your house, your space will start to feel more open and be easier to keep clean.

    Donate and Sell
    Set aside a day or two to go through your house, paying special attention to the areas where you normally store things, such as the basement, attic, spare rooms or garage. You may come across items you don’t want or need that can be donated to charity, sold at local shops or even on-line . Purging your home will help simplify your life, especially when it’s time to move.

    Downsize
    If your home seems to have extra space you simply fill with clutter, it may be time to think about downsizing your home . You can use your self-storage unit to keep your important items, and enjoy easier maintenance and cleaning in your smaller home.

    POUCH Self Storage offers clean, secure storage space for all of your most important possessions at our Southern California locations. Call us at (888) 927-6052 or visit us at www.pouchselfstorage.com to find out more about renting a self-storage unit. We are open seven days a week to make storage as easy as possible.