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 store rugs and carpets in a portable container

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It may seem that all it takes to store rugs and carpets in a portable container is to fold them. However, that’s far from the truth, as properly storing these items in temporary storage Seattle locals recommend takes much more effort. If you don’t handle your rugs and carpets with care, they might wear out and lose their shape. Luckily, you can avoid this by simply following these helpful storage tips!

Deep cleaning is necessary before you store rugs and carpets in a portable container

If your rugs are dirty, they will just accumulate more grime, dust, and bad smells in storage facilities. That’s why you should make sure your carpeting is in spotless condition before you look into storing options. However, keep in mind that different carpet and rug types call for different cleaning procedures. If you don’t want to risk ruining them, this task is better left to companies providing professional carpet-washing services.

If you want to clean your rugs and carpets yourself, look for the manufacturer’s tag and adhere to the directions. Still, remember to completely dry your carpets before putting them in one of the storage pods Seattle offers. That way, you’ll prevent the growth of mold and bacteria on your carpet and floors.

A person cleaning a carpet before they store rugs and carpets in a portable container
Professionals can help you clean your carpet in no time, however, there are a few things you can do yourself as well

How to clean different types of carpets?

Before you start washing your carpets, make sure to vacuum them well first. However, if you have a valuable rug in your possession, vacuum it carefully so you don’t ruin the delicate weaving. Once you finish vacuuming, get the right cleaning supplies and see what you can do about deep-cleaning the carpet.

The actual cleaning process will be the easiest if you have small braided carpets that are washable. In that case, simply put them in a washing machine and turn on a gentle washing cycle. On the other hand, you must clean fur and sheepskin rugs by first covering them with unscented talcum powder.

Treat your carpets with pest repellents

After you finish cleaning them, don’t forget to spray your rugs and carpets with insect and natural moth repellents. By doing this, you’ll not only keep your carpets safe, but you’ll also protect other items in your storage unit. However, remember to use only repellents made specifically for textile materials, so you don’t ruin your carpet. 

Roll your rugs and carpets instead of folding them

As our Issaquah self storage experts advise, usually the best method for storing a rug is to roll it. The only exception to this rule is in a situation when a rug is extremely old and delicate. Rolling instead of folding a rug will prevent forming creases in the material that may be hard to clean later. Still, to prevent weight stress on the inner rolled edge, fold the first six inches of the rug inward. Then, use the lightly folded edge to start rolling the carpet. 

Rolled carpet on the floor
If you wish to store rugs and carpets in a portable container properly, you must roll them first

Meanwhile, pay attention that the first fold forms a soft S-shape rather than a stiff crease. To keep the proper form, you could also roll the rug around a cardboard support tube. However, which way the rug should be rolled depends on its material. For example, you should roll the wool rug with a pile side up, while silk rugs should face inward. 

Use a special cover to protect your rugs and carpets in a storage unit

According to our Renton self storage specialists, you should cover your carpets to protect them from dirt and vermin. To prevent the accumulation of moisture, you can buy a polyurethane rug cover that is specially made for this purposeHowever, a sheet made of breathable material, such as cotton or muslin, will also be a good alternative. Just make sure to avoid wrapping your rug in plastic, since it will just trap the air inside. Wrap the coverage around your rug one and a half times around, then affix it using cotton twill tape.

Consider putting your rugs and carpets in a climate-controlled storage unit

A rug may curl around the edges if it’s kept in humid conditions, particularly if the humidity is continually fluctuating. That’s why you should keep the storage area as cool and dry as you can. To be on the safe side, consider investing in door to door storage Seattle facility with a constant temperature.

A storage unit where you may store rugs and carpets in a portable container
A portable container stored in a temperature-controlled facility will protect your carpets from outside elements.

However, even if your rugs are carpets are safe from temperature changes, you should still occasionally check them for damage. To preserve their shape and quality, inspect your rugs and carpets for damage once every two months. Even if something is wrong with your items, you’ll probably be able to save your carpet by acting fast.

Mistakes to avoid if you want to store rugs and carpets in a portable container properly

It’s crucial to store your rug off the ground and away from any item that might cause damage to it. Make sure nothing else is placed on top of it as well. Boxes and other items might break the rug’s form and cause cracks, which you’ll want to avoid. Finally, remember to keep your rug dry and cool without exposing it to natural light while storing it.

Self-storage comes in handy if your home isn’t large enough to accommodate all your items, or if you’re moving. However, if you plan to store rugs and carpets in a portable container, you must prepare them in advance. After you wash your rugs and carpets and protect them from pests and elements, they’ll be good to go! If you have any doubts, helpful storage facility workers will be there to help you out.

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