Founded in 1890, Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage the parent company of Portabox has successfully weathered many history-changing events including the Great Seattle Fire, WWI, the Spanish Flu of 1918, the Great Depression, WWII, the 2008 recession, and 9/11 among many other public crises. We are taking the current COVID-19 threat very seriously and will promptly adhere to any and all directives from local, state and federal government officials. Hansen Bros. and Portabox have been categorized as an essential industry business (moving & relocation) within the current mandate established by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee.

As essential services, we will maintain normal operations until such time as either company management determines we must close our offices or we are directed to do so by a governmental authority. We are taking extensive precautionary measures including the adoption of all CDC guidelines and the establishment of our own policies intended to minimize health risks for all customers, employees, contractors, vendors, and community stakeholders. We are proud to be able to support the needs of our customers during this crucial time but are prepared to quickly change course as required.

Stay safe together with Hansen Bros. and Portabox

The COVID-19 crisis is fluid and there are many uncertainties and factors outside of our control that may, with little or no advance notice, impact our delivery of moving & storage services. Please be aware the current crisis could potentially result in small inconveniences such as a delayed project start time or significant inconveniences such as the complete rescheduling of services.

Although there are many unknowns to be navigated, you can be certain that Hansen Bros. and Portabox will be timely and transparent in our communications regarding servicing your moving & storage needs, and our professional relocation consultants will work diligently to offer creative solutions in the event your project is impacted by the current health crisis.

Steps We're Taking:

  • Company-wide Implementation of all precautionary measures recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
  • Office staff and crews are being monitored daily for symptoms and/or known exposure by management and asked to go home, contact their healthcare provider, and self-quarantine as directed. Staff that experience symptoms and/or aware of exposure when not at work have been directed to stay home and notify their supervisor.
  • Office staff and crews are receiving daily briefings on precautionary measures and have been directed to follow them on and off the job.
  • Office staff and crews are being instructed to maintain appropriate “social distance” of 6 feet minimum between one another, customers, and all other people.
  • Office staff and crews are being provided with appropriate hand sanitizer and surface disinfecting supplies. They have been directed to disinfect truck cabs and moving equipment between each move to the best of their ability. These supplies will continue to be replenished as we are able, based on availability from retailers.
  • We are limiting visitation to our branch offices. If you wish to purchase moving boxes or supplies, please simply call in your order and we will happily deliver to your vehicle outside.

We are all in this together.  The team at Hansen Bros. and Portabox is proud to continue offering our services in accordance with the necessary precautions outlined above. We are here to make the process of storing belongings seamless & safe for you.

When is the best time to store away summer items in Seattle

Step 1 of 2

MM slash DD slash YYYY

Storing seasonal items out of the way when they’re not needed is a necessary step for keeping our homes tidy and clutter-free. But, no matter how convenient this is, there are some things you will need to keep in mind if you opt for storing seasonal items. For example, you will need to know when is the best time to store away summer items, how to prepare them for storage, and keep your items in the best condition. This guide is here to give you answers to these and many other questions about using on-demand storage Seattle. So, if this is something you want to learn about, make sure to keep reading.

Storing away seasonal items – Yay or nay?

Person packing a box
Make more room in your home by storing away seasonal items

We all tend to pile up our seasonal items in our wardrobes or garages. This isn’t so bad if your home is huge and you have a lot of storage space. But, let’s face it – most people live in smaller homes or apartments that don’t have a lot of storage space. So, if you live in one of those homes, it would be best to think about storing your items in one of those well-maintained storage facilities. Right there, you will be able to store every item you’re not using at the moment for as long as necessary. And so, it’s always a good call to get temporary storage Seattle and store away your summer items. But how can you determine when is the right time to store away some items? What is the best time to store away summer items?

How can you determine the best time to store away summer items?

Most people start to prepare their items for storage at the end of the summer or during the first autumn days. If you see that days and nights are getting colder, that should be your sign that it’s time to store away summer items. Sure, you can wait a bit but there is really no point in keeping your patio set outside if the weather doesn’t allow you to use it. In addition, with colder days, you will need to unpack boxes with warmer clothes. Not to mention that you will need to find room for all that sweaters and jackets you own. How can this be solved? Store away your summer clothes and you will have all the space you need.

So, when is the best time to store away summer items in Seattle mini storage? If you see that you can’t use your summer items anymore – store them. It doesn’t get any easier than this.

What if you store away your summer items ahead of time?

Woman labeling a box
Have an emergency box with summer clothes within your hand’s reach in case you need it

What if you store away your summer items but then the weather suddenly changes and you, once again, need the items you just stored? Well, this can happen even if you check your local weather forecast regularly. And, no one can be blamed for this. If you’re really worried that this might happen to you, here’s what you should do.

Pack a couple of “emergency boxes”. They should contain some clothes for warmer days (shorts, skirts, swimsuits), slippers, and some accessories (hats, sunglasses, etc). Keep these “emergency boxes” close to the entrance of your storage unit so that you can find them with ease in case you need them. This way, you will have items ready if the weather suddenly gets too warm. More importantly, you won’t have to roam through every box in order to find the items you need – you will have them within your hand’s reach.

Things to do before storing away summer items

Is now the right time for storing away your seasonal items? If yes, here are the things you will need to do before you start to pack your belongings.

  • Find a storage facility that meets your needs. You will need to find a storage service provider that meets your specific needs. To do this, you will need to make an inventory list ahead of time. Make a list of the items you plan to store and it will be easier for you to figure out what kind of storage unit you need to get.
  • Gather packing materials ahead of time. There’s nothing worse than having to go back to the store to get more boxes while you’re in the middle of the packing process. Gather all packing materials well in advance based on your inventory list.
  • Wash and prepare your summer items. This is probably the most important step. Whether you’ll be storing your patio set or just your summer clothes, you will need to make sure every item is clean. Storing dirty items can lead to pests infestation. Solving this problem is stressful, tiring, and pricey.

Additional tips & tricks for storing away summer items with ease

Woman getting ready to pack after learning about the best time to store away summer items
Learn how to store items the right way to keep them in the best condition

Now that you know when is the best time to store away summer items, let’s discuss a bit how you should store them. To make sure you’re storing your belongings properly, we’ve prepared a couple of additional tips for you. They will be very useful for you when you start to reorganize your household with self storage.

  • Make sure all items are dry before you store them. We already mentioned that all items need to be clean before you store them. But, they need to be completely dry as well! Be careful – storing wet pieces leads to mold growth.
  • Declutter before you pack. There’s really no point in storing an item if you already know that you won’t be using it anymore. Instead of doing this, declutter and give the items you don’t need anymore to someone who can’t afford to buy them.
  • Don’t overpack your boxes. Overpacking boxes is one of the most common packing mistakes people make when storing items. Just think about it – if the box is too heavy, you won’t be able to lift it safely.
  • Block the stench. Sometimes, clothes can develop an unpleasant, musty odor during longer storage periods. Keep your clothing fresh by adding perfumed cotton balls or bar soaps wrapped in the thin fabric into your boxes.

Latest Posts