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.

Guide to packing and storing a wedding dress

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A wedding dress is without a doubt one of the most cherished items a woman can own. But once your wedding day comes and goes, the truth is that you have little to no use for your beautifully bedazzled gown. Throwing it away is out of the question for most women, so the only thing you can do is store it in a safe place like one of our self storage Bothell units that are designed to keep belongings safe long-term. However, packing and storing a wedding dress isn’t something that one does on a daily basis. That’s why most people have no idea where to start once they have to put their gown in a box. PortaBox Storage offers a short guide on how to pack and store your wedding dress like a pro, preserving it for generations to come.

First things first – get your wedding dress cleaned

White laundry drying
Visit a reputable dry cleaner in your area and get your wedding dress clean and fresh.

If you have ever stored an item in your life, then you probably know how important it is to ensure that the item is clean and dry. As the value of the item goes up, so does the urgency to ensure it is stored in perfect condition, to begin with. So, before you place your wedding dress in a box that will be put in a Kirkland self storage unit, you first have to get it dry cleaned.

A dry cleaner will know which cleaners are safe to use on your white or champagne dress, so you won’t have to risk ruining it (since DIY cleaning can go wrong in many ways, even with everyday clothes). Every penny that you invest in dry cleaning services will be worth it.

Choose a suitable container for packing and storing a wedding dress

Because your gown is so valuable and fragile, it can’t be stored in just any old box. Many criteria need to be met in order for a container to be deemed as a suitable temporary home for your wedding dress.

  • The box should be sturdy, eliminating all light. 
  • It should be made from breathable material. 
  • It shouldn’t contain acid or alkali. 
  • The box should protect your gown from dust particles. 

It sounds like a lot of work for a simple box. Then again, just like you don’t get married every day, you don’t store away the wedding dress every day. Investing in good and reliable packing materials Seattle is always a good idea. And it’s one that will provide a great return on your investment.

Find a proper storage unit

Portabox Storage delivery of portable storage containers that are weather-resistant.
Invest some of your time in finding a good storage unit for your beautiful wedding gown.

Choosing a box for storing your wedding dress is not the end of the decision-making process. The next step is looking for and finding the best temporary storage Seattle. The best idea would be to invest in temperature-controlled storage. But if you can’t afford this type of unit, then make sure you tour the storage facility you are considering as the potential home for your dress. What you are looking for is a reputable storage service provider that can provide well-isolated storage containers that are resistant to weather and other natural elements.

How to pack a wedding dress

Once you have the right container for packing and storing a wedding dress, there is only one more thing you need – the right kind of protective packaging. And when it comes to the right type of protective packaging, you can’t go wrong by opting for colorless tissue paper. So, when you have all your materials ready and you have the time to pack your dress, get your hands clean and dry and get to work.

Start by folding the dress loosely and carefully, with the goal of avoiding any creasing. Once you think the dress is properly folded, wrap it in acid-free paper and carefully place it in a box. If you are wondering whether you can use the same box for storing your veil and wedding shoes, the answer is very simple – yes to veil, no to shoes. Just make sure that you place a layer of protective packaging between the veil and the dress. You don’t want the two to damage each other during the course of time spent in transport and storage.

How to store a wedding dress

A woman holding a bouquet, sitting in a wedding dress.
Your beautiful dress needs to be protected and well taken care of.

Once you conduct your research on reliable storage services in your area and find your ideal storage provider, all you have to do is place the box in a good place, away from any sunlight. Although storing the dress inside your home might save you some money and grief now, there are many ways in which you could end up regretting it in the future. Such a unique piece of wardrobe deserves the best possible conditions to be kept safe in. The perfect place is the one where the temperature isn’t:

  • Too warm or too cold;
  • Exposed to direct sunlight;
  • Fire-proof;
  • At no risk of insect and pest infestation. 

And these are all typical factors for any professional storage facility to fulfill.

Whichever place you choose for storing your wedding gown, it’s always a good idea to unpack it every six months. Repacking your wedding dress won’t take up too much of your time. However, this process will ensure you avoid any permanent creases that could form if your dress spends too much time in a box. We are sure you wouldn’t want that to happen to your precious gown.

Take your time when packing and storing a wedding dress

There is no reason to be rash and make a mistake that could do a lot of damage to your precious item. Instead, take your time and go through every step with care and precision. We might even dare to say that, by taking your time, you could find yourself enjoying the process of packing and storing a wedding dress. You’ll definitely reminisce about one of the most important days of your life – your wedding. That by itself promises you’ll have fun on that day you set aside for packing.

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