COVID-19 Update. Learn More.

  • Tips for Moving with Pets

    Moving to a new place can be a fun adventure, but it can also be stressful. When your family includes furry, feathered, or finned friends, it can sometimes get complicated. Here, we offer some tips for keeping your pets safe and calm during your move.

    • First, get them used to the idea of traveling before you do it. Start by acclimating your pets to their crates by putting them into the crates for short periods of time at home. Then move on to the next step, of putting the crates in the car and sitting there without going anywhere. Next, sit with the engine on, then drive around the block so they can get used to the movement of the car. If you’re flying, you clearly won’t be able to practice taking them on a plane. However, practicing with the crates and the car can make them more comfortable once the time comes to travel. You might also consider a professional pet mover who will know how to safely move your pets across the country or even across the world, adhering to any local or regional regulations.
    • Keep your pets safe while you pack. Make them a “safe space” in the house, with familiar items and crates or beds so they’ll feel comfortable and protected. Pets notice when their home is being packed up, and they may feel distressed when you are packing, but having a safe place to hide will make them feel safer.
    • Communicate with your vet. Schedule an appointment for each of your pets so that you can make sure they’re up to date with vaccines and checkups before you leave. Ask your vet for tips on keeping your pets calm during the move, and if you’re moving to another area, ask for recommendations for a new vet. Get copies of your vet records and fill any prescriptions for your pets before you move.
    • Pack an overnight kit for your furry family members. Just as you’ll pack a bag for each of your human family members with things they’ll need in the first few days at the new place, pack for your pets. You’ll need to include dog food, kitty litter, toys, grooming tools, and anything else your pets will need to feel comfortable while you’re unpacking and settling into your new home.
    • Make sure your pets are out of the way on moving day. Preferably, have them boarded somewhere or ask a friend to take them for the day. If that’s not possible, close them into a room where they’ll be safe during all the commotion. That’s another time in which their safe space will be helpful. Put a note on the door letting people know which pets are in the room, so that no one opens the door. Pets can be stressed out by all the action of moving day, and they can also get underfoot and potentially be hurt. Worse, a panicky pet could bolt through an open door and get lost.
    • Special pets require special care. The above tips primarily apply to cats and dogs, but what about other pets? Small animals require some special care when you’re moving.
      • Guinea Pigs: Guinea pigs are sensitive and don’t do well when they’re jostled around. Their hearts are easily damaged, so if you must transport guinea pigs, make sure they’re carried in something small, warm, and comfortable.
      • Fish: Moving with fish is not a very good idea, because they’re easily traumatized and moving can sometimes be fatally stressful for them. If you’re moving a short distance, you may be able to transport them in bags filled with water from their old tank. However, if you’re moving across the country, you’re better off rehoming your fish, emptying your tank, and getting new fish in your new home.
      • Birds: Even if your bird is normally free-range and sits on your shoulder contentedly, the move is one time for a bird cage. Even the smartest parrot can get jittery and nervous during a move, and you don’t want your feathered pal to fly away.
    • Plan a few days off to help your pets adjust. Spend some time helping them get back into their normal routine while adjusting to their new home. Recreate your pets’ safe space in the new home, and keep them contained until you’ve moved all your things into the house. Introduce them to the new environment slowly, giving them plenty of positive attention. Get collar tags with your new address as soon as you can in case a pet slips out of the house.

    While you take care of your family and pets, trust Pouch Self Storage to keep your belongings safe. Founded in 1979 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.

  • How to Pack Oddly-Shaped Items

    When you think about moving, you probably think of large pieces of furniture and square or rectangular boxes. Boxes are easy to use when you’re packing dishes or books, but what happens when the things you’re packing are oddly-shaped? We’ve got some tips to make packing those less-than-uniformly-shaped objects a breeze.

    • First, think through the whole packing process. Make sure you have the right packing materials on hand, including new, sturdy cardboard boxes, strong packing tape, soft packing paper, bubble wrap, foam sheets, and Styrofoam peanuts. It’s also helpful to have things like old towels, sheets, and blankets, to use as padding. Consider where you’ll pack your oddly shaped things. Will they fit in standard boxes or will you need special containers?
    • Go overboard with your wrapping. Disassemble things as much as you can, then place cushioning material in hollow spaces and nooks, protect anything that sticks out with bubble wrap, wrap the whole thing in packing paper, bubble wrap, old linens, or foam sheeting, and tape it all together with packing tape.
    • Don’t be afraid to waste space in the interest of protecting your treasures. Once you’ve got your specially shaped item wrapped, it’s time to pack it. If it can fit in a box, that’s the best place for it, even if the only box it fits in leaves a lot of extra space around it. That’s fine, just add extra padding into the excess space, after carefully padding the bottom of the box. Make sure the item is completely immobile, and put an additional protective layer of bubble wrap on top before you close the box.
    • Create custom boxes when necessary. If you’ve hired professional movers, they’ll often offer custom crating services. If you’re doing it yourself, though, you might have to use some ingenuity to find the right fit.
      • If you need an extra-tall box, you can put your item in a tall, sturdy box about half its height, raise the lid flaps of the carton and tape them so that you create an open-topped box. Then put another, similarly-sized box over the top of the item, sliding it down over the bottom carton as far as possible and sealing the two boxes together.
      • For an extra-wide box, use a large, rectangular box, with the top taped up. Cut along one of the long sides, removing the cut piece to make an open-sided box. After putting your odd-shaped item into the box, get another box of the same size, tape it shut, cut along a long edge and both shorter edges, creating a flap that can open and close. Sliding the second box over the first will create a wide, sturdy packing container.
      • You can also build a box around your item. Flatten a large cardboard box, put the item on top of it, fold the edges of the cardboard around the item, flatten a second box, put it over the item, fold the boxes together and seal.
      • In some cases, cardboard won’t cut it. For oddly-shaped items that are particularly delicate, it’s better to use custom-built wooden crates.
    • If you’re going to store your items, pay special attention to packing and labeling. You need to be absolutely sure that if your things are stacked in a storage facility, your oddly shaped items will still be protected. Label them clearly with words like “fragile”, “this side up”, and “do not stack” if necessary.

    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.

  • What to Do with Leftover Moving Boxes

    In the frenzy of moving, it seems like you’ll never have enough boxes to pack all your things. When it’s all over and you’ve unpacked, the pile of empty boxes can seem unbelievably large. What do you do with all that leftover cardboard once you’re settled in your new home? We have a few suggestions.

    • Make some money from your used boxes. You can sell your post-move boxes on BoxCycle or in the garage-sale section of Craigslist. The neighborhood site NextDoor is a good place to offload containers, and some moving companies will also buy your gently used boxes.
    • Do a good deed with your leftovers. You can also use NextDoor to find neighbors to whom you can donate your boxes, or you can give them away on Freecycle. There’s also Give Back Box®, the service that allows you to use any cardboard box to ship donated goods to a charity for free.
    • Repurpose your boxes. Save some of the smaller boxes for shipping things throughout the year, or making returns to an online retailer. You can also find plenty of ways to use the cardboard from your moving boxes around your house. Let the kids build forts, cars, and rocketships, or make temporary beds for your pets. Big pieces of cardboard are also useful in place of drop cloths when you want to protect your floors during a DIY project. Use cardboard as a weed barrier when you create a garden, and as a knee pad when you’re working in that garden. If you think you or someone close to you is likely to move in the next year or two, you might break down some of the boxes and keep them in your garage or self-storage unit.

    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.

  • All About Moving Boxes

    When you’re moving, boxes can either make the process easier or add to the stress of the experience. Whether you’re moving into a new home or transferring items into a storage unit, the quality of the boxes you use matters. Watch this video to learn more.

    Forget getting waterlogged, flimsy boxes from the grocery store. It is worth it to invest in some sturdy boxes in a variety of sizes that won’t break on you as you transfer them into a moving truck.

    POUCH Self Storage is pleased to offer free use of a moving truck with our storage units and records management services. For more information about renting self storage in Lake Forest or using one of our free moving trucks, please call (800) 378-4598.

  • How to Move into Your New Home

    Whether you are planning a local move or are moving across the country, you will have many factors to consider during your move. As you are getting ready for your move, there are several steps that you can take to reduce your stress during your move. For example, by organizing your belongings and obtaining boxes for moving before you start to pack, you will be well prepared for moving day. For a closer look at some essential moving tips, check out this video from KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas.

    At POUCH Self Storage, we can provide you with a free moving truck for your upcoming move. When you store belongings at our storage facility in Rancho Cucamonga, you will be treated to top quality moving services. To learn more about our current storage offers , call us at (800) 378-4598.

  • How to Choose the Right Moving Truck

    Whether you are getting ready to move into a new home near your current neighborhood, or are preparing for a long distance move, choosing a moving truck is among the most important decisions that you will make for your move. By working with a company offering self storage in Anaheim, you will be able to take advantage of a free moving truck offer . A free moving truck will help you save money on your overall moving expenses. To assist you with your upcoming move, here is a quick look at how to choose the right moving truck.

    Evaluate Your Belongings

    When you are choosing a moving truck , you should start by evaluating your belongings. If you will be moving several large or bulky items, you should be sure to choose a moving truck that can accommodate this load. In order to move a few boxes or other smaller items, you may only need to use a compact moving truck.

    Consider Additional Items

    As you are choosing a moving truck, it is important to think about all of the items that will be transported in your move. When you will be moving large propane grills, power tools, or other pieces of equipment, you will need to make sure that your moving truck has plenty of space for these items.

    Ask About Moving Truck Rates

    The ideal moving truck will be provided to you at a low cost. In fact, as you are seeking a moving truck, you may want to ask your storage company about their moving truck specials. A quality storage company in your local area may be able to provide you with a free moving truck. With a free moving truck, you can free up additional space in your moving budget.

    When you move with POUCH Self Storage , we will be thrilled to provide you with a free moving truck. As a highly rated storage facility in Fullerton, we pride ourselves in offering the best customer service. Call us at (800) 378-4598 to hear more about our current storage units.

  • Loading Your Moving Truck

    No one likes to move. It can be time-consuming and can be a hassle. However, with the right plan and organization, moving can be a breeze. Whether you are moving items into storage , moving across town or across the country, these tips will help you more effectively load your moving truck.

    Pack Everything Ahead of Time
    Having a plan makes loading up the moving truck much easier. Pack everything into boxes that are clearly labeled by what the contents are and what room they belong in (kitchen, bathroom, etc.). Take apart furniture when possible, such as bed frames, dressers, and bookcases. Wrap larger items with padding, and wrap up fragile items, such as artwork and mirrors, with plastic wrap and padding.

    self storage | orange county Loading the Truck
    Once everything is packed and ready to load into the moving truck, make sure there is a clear path from your home to your truck to make carrying everything easier. Keep in mind that heavier, bulky items, like furniture, should be loaded into the vehicle first. They should be placed around the edges of the walls to distribute the weight. Heavy boxes should be on the bottom, with lighter boxes stacked on top. Items should be packed tightly to prevent shifting in transit. Have one or two people in the truck responsible for packing the truck while others move boxes and other items.

    Practice Safe Loading Procedures
    With so many heavy items moving into the truck, it can be easy to get injured. Always lift by bending your knees, not at your waist, to prevent back injuries. If an item is too heavy, have two people carry it, or use a dolly. Always watch where you are walking to avoid tripping over items. If you are unsure about how to move something, get assistance from another person.

    With POUCH Self Storage, moving your belongings is as easy as ever with our “We Move You Free” program. For more information about this program, and all our services in Orange, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles Counties, including boxes for moving, call (800) 378-4598.

  • Tips for Packing Fragile Items

    Packing fragile items during a move can be tricky, especially if you are trying to prepare to put them into storage units. The last thing you want to do is pack up a bunch of items and then discover that they were broken during the moving process. To avoid this, you should use the right packing supplies to move your personal possessions into a new home or self storage in Orange County.

    Watch this video to find some tips for packing fragile items during a move. From using plenty of bubble wrap before you seal up a box to using packing supplies that are durable enough to withstand a move, you should follow these guidelines in order to prevent items from getting damaged.

    Do you need help obtaining storage units? Call POUCH Self Storage at (800) 378-4598 to hear about the specials that we currently have on self storage units .

  • What Are the Most Essential Packing Supplies?

    When you are preparing to move your belongings into a new home or storage units, there are packing supplies you will need to do it successfully. From boxes for moving in Anaheim to tape and scissors, you should be fully prepared before you do anything. Check out some of the packing supplies you will need to make your move the right way.

    Moving Boxes

    While you might be tempted to find a bunch of free boxes to use for moving purposes, you should invest in quality moving boxes that will get the job done. The last thing you want to do is pack your things into boxes that will break right in the middle of your move. Sturdy moving boxes are also ideal for packing away in storage units.

    Packing Tape

    Quality moving boxes will keep your things safe, but they will need to be sealed shut with packing tape to make sure they don’t bust open when you are carrying them. Packing tape will also keep your items secure and prevent anyone from gaining access to them.

    Packing Paper and Bubble Wrap

    Chances are, you have many items that could potentially break during a move if they are loose inside of your packing boxes. You can stop this from happening by adding packing paper or bubble wrap to boxes that aren’t completely full.

    Labels and Markers

    Once you arrive at your final destination, you will want to know what is inside each of your moving boxes. Make this easier by labeling them clearly and by keeping boxes with similar items in the same general area. This is an essential step if you are going to be putting boxes into storage units.

    Box Cutters and Scissors

    Opening your boxes and removing your belongings from them will be a real chore if you don’t have something that can cut through your packing tape. Keep box cutters or scissors handy throughout your move.

    POUCH Self Storage specializes in providing people with storage units. You can call us at (800) 378-4598 to reserve one for yourself before your next move.