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.

How to organize tools in your self storage container

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Given that tools are so durable and robust, you’d think that placing them in storage isn’t a big deal. But the truth is, most tools are very vulnerable, no matter how tough they are. This is especially true with rust, and other types of minor damages which can have a larger effect over time. This is why it is very important to properly organize tools in your self storage container. Efficient storage keeps your tools in perfect condition, but it also helps with the organization while maintaining your unit. Regardless if you’re a professional handyman or DIY enthusiast, you’ll greatly benefit from placing your tools in Renton self storage. Today, we’ll take a look at how to prepare your tools for storing, as well as some tips to make your life easier.

tools and workbench in a garage
Properly storing and maintaining your tools ensures their longevity

Start with giving your tools a proper cleaning

If you plan on leaving your tools in storage units North Seattle, you want to make sure that they’re in good storing condition. You can easily do this with some extra care and proper cleaning. Take your time, and remove any leftover dust, dirt, and grease from your tools in a solution of soapy water. After this, allow them to fully dry, so you avoid plaque spots and potential rusting in the future. It is best to take a piece of cloth and wipe them all off.

For added protection, spray a bit of lubricant on metal surfaces for extra protection. If you have tools with wooden handles, put a bit of sand and linseed oil into a plastic bag, put your tools in, and give everything a good shake. The sand removes any rust and debris with a polish, and the oil will provide a protective coating.

The choice of storage unit is more important thank you think

As far as storing tools, both indoor and outdoor units are acceptable. Outdoor units offer drive-up access, which is good if you want to go through the hassle of transporting your tools personally by car. This is very convenient when you have to move heavy tools, but it also allows you to quickly get what you need, and drive away. However, you should note that outdoor storage units are exposed.

Portabox Storage containers on a truck.
Carefully choose the type of your unit based on the tools you have

If you have very sensitive machine equipment, you might want to consider portable self storage containers. These types of units are kept inside temperature-controlled business storage Seattle facilities. This ensures that all of your delicate machinery will be perfectly safe for the remainder of its time in storage. Ultimately, the choice of the unit depends on your needs, the type of your tools, and your budget. But no matter what you choose, you can rest assured that your items will be safe with Portabox.

Organize tools in your self storage container to the best of your abilities

Storing your tools is one thing, but organizing it all to maximize your unit space and create a good system is something completely different. Ideally, you want to organize tools in your self storage container the same way you’d do at home. If you know exactly where everything is, you’ll have a much easier time finding exactly what you need.

Toolboxes and work cabinets are a great addition to a storage unit if you want to keep track of everything. Just make sure that you store everything safely. Keep in mind that you can very easily misplace or lose tools and hardware in your storage. To solve this, consider small stackable bins for smaller tools. If you label your bins, you will always know what goes where, and where everything is. Hammers, spanners, and wrenches can be hung on a vertical plywood board for access and visibility.

Power tools require special attention and care

small tools in a organizing cabinet
With a good labeling system, everything you need will be in easy reach

Compared to regular tools, storing power tools needs a bit more preparation. This is mainly because power tools use some form of motor, and in this case, humidity and dust can be detrimental. It doesn’t hurt to open your power tools if possible and give their motors a cleaning to get any dust and debris out of the mechanism.

If you have tools that use a fuel-powered engine, you need to be extra careful. If fuel sits in storage long enough, it can actually go bad. This renders it useless and can cause damage to the engine. To counter this, add a bit of fuel stabilizer to the fuel, to ensure longevity and prevent evaporation. Smaller power tools should be kept in their original boxes, as the packaging is made to a perfect fit. If this isn’t an option, us a small box with plenty of plastic lining.

Once you organize tools in your self storage container, keep them fully protected

Preparing your tools for storage and organizing them are the two seemingly most important steps of the process. However, after you organize tools in your self storage container, one more question remains, and that is the safety of your stored items. Believe it or not, your tools can get worn out and damaged even if you’re not using them. As we’ve already mentioned, a bit of lubricant or linseed oil will do wonders to keep the rust away.

To keep dust and other debris away, get large plastic tarps and drape them over your tools for more surface protection. If you have paint, caulk, and other construction materials, make sure that everything is sealed tight, to prevent leaks and dangerous fumes. If you want to go the extra mile, your smaller hand tools can be individually wrapped in newspaper and then placed in a crate until you need them again.

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Locations Served

LYNNWOOD PORTABOX

2902B Lincoln Way Lynnwood, WA, 98087

SEATTLE PORTABOX

10750 Aurora Ave N Suite B Seattle, WA 98133

NEWCASTLE PORTABOX

6868 Coal Creek Pkwy SE Newcastle, WA 98059

BOISE PORTABOX

103 N Curtis Road Boise, ID, 83706