#storalls

Discarding of hazardous materials the right way is important. Not only does it help you go green it helps the environment and it keeps your home and community safe and tidy. Further, it keeps harmful toxins out of your family’s way. Still, it is a common question as to what exactly to do with those unwanted hazardous materials you want to discard.

Here are a few tips on what to do with hazardous unwanted materials.

1. Ask these 3 questions: is the hazardous material a chemical, a gas or a substance?

Chemical: Examples of hazardous chemicals are paint thinners or hobbyist chemicals. Gas: A little-known fact is that those long, fluorescent bulbs used in garages and workspaces contain hazardous gas. Substance: Common examples of hazardous substances are household paints, especially oil-based or those with lead.

Did you know? Medications are one often overlooked hazardous material. This includes both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicine in the forms of pills, tablets, gel caps, powders or liquids. It’s common to dump them down the toilet or sink but this is harmful to the environment and can damage your family’s water quality and your home’s septic or sewer system.

2. Sort it all out: Once you’ve determined which of the above 3 categories your hazardous materials belong in, sort them well. Place them in a box or bin or at least in a separate area of your garage or shed. This small step will make it easier as you move along the disposal process.

3. Check your local ordinances: Cities and counties have rules about how hazardous chemicals are to be disposed of. Check with your city or county to see what those are. Some have curbside pickup. Others have a “round up day,” where you can actually bring all of your materials to them and they will take them away. Finally, you can also contact and locate your nearest landfill and dispose of the hazardous materials there. This last option is sometimes the only option for rural areas.

4. Clean, clean, clean: Once you have disposed of the hazardous materials, it is important to thoroughly clean the area they were kept. You can easily do this with a bleach and water solution. If your family has bleach allergies or sensitivities you can also use a strong solution of vinegar and water. Using a rough cloth, vigorously clean the area to make sure all residue is gone.

5. Set up a designated area: You have completed steps 1-4. Great job! Make it easier on yourself the next time this time of year comes around by designating a certain area in your garage or work shed for these types of materials. You can then layer that area with newspaper or old towels to prevent the chemicals, substances or gases from leaking onto wood or other porous areas.

With all of us becoming more environmentally conscious it is a good habit to dispose of unwanted hazardous materials responsibly. We hope with these simple steps we have made your life a little easier today!

Self-storage units are often essential for many of us. Some of us may use them regularly. However, many people are not aware of a few secrets that will make your self-storage experience much easier! If you are considering using a self-storage unit, or already use one, keep reading below to hear a few of our favorite self-storage secrets.

Use Pallets You may think this sounds a little extreme, but using pallets will come in handy if a unit adjacent to yours has a spill that soaks its way onto your fine furniture! Using pallets helps you to keep your items off of the floor, which is pretty much essential when using a self-storage unit.

Wrap EVERYTHING Okay, okay – you may not be able to wrap everything! But, you should wrap what you can in industrial plastic wrap. This will help keep your items sealed tightly and prevent them from collecting dust. Even better, it helps prevent the highly unwanted creepy crawly insects.

Install A Hefty Small Lock Most storage units already have security in them, but they may not always be monitored. Install your own small lock to help ensure you keep the burglars away! The best type of lock would be an all-weather pad that has a short arm. This will help ensure a bolt cutter can’t slide its way in and be sliced open!

Labels Are Your Best Friend You may know everything you are putting in your storage unit, but five months from now you may struggle trying to find something. Rather than going through all of your boxes and bins, be sure to label everything. It will make it easier to find items when you need them. Some people find it helpful to make a checklist that helps them find where an item may be stored in the unit.

Plan Ahead For Weather In some areas of the country, the heat or cold may not make much of a difference. However, in some other areas, it definitely does. Be sure to plan ahead so items that need to be double wrapped or well insulated are stored properly. There may even be some items you need to remove at certain times of the year, or maybe not even store them at all. For instance, electronics in humid weather do not seem to do well when they are not stored properly!

Putting items in a storage unit can be stressful, we understand. The above tips should help ensure that your storage process is as stress-free as possible. If you have any questions about self-storage, give Beltline and Security Stor-Alls a call today. We will be happy to assist you and your needs.

We have units from small to large, that are climate controlled. You may only need us for a few months, or you may find that our units fit your long-term plans. Give us a call or come see us, and protect your treasures! Beltline and Security Stor-Alls are located in Mobile, Alabama for all of your storage needs! Check out Beltline and Security on Facebook, or visit us online at www.StorAlls.com!