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.

Non-storable household items to consider

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Renting a storage unit is a perfect way of gaining more free space within your home and garage. Whether you are relocating, downsizing, or doing some seasonal cleaning – storage can be an indispensable tool. The use of storage is a fast-growing trend and one that promises to continue expanding in the coming years. However, there are some non-storable household items that you have to take into consideration. Certain items are either not well suited for storage or can even pose a danger. And PortaBox Storage is here to provide you with some insight and guidance into those items.

What are the benefits of renting a self-storage unit?

We all sometimes find ourselves holding onto items that we no longer need or use. Upon buying a new TV or a new piece of furniture, the thought that comes to mind is often: “Why would I throw away the old one when I might still need it someday?” And that’s a great point. As a result, material possessions like old televisions can clutter your household in no time, leaving limited space to store more important and regularly used items and supplies. That’s where the practicality of storage units comes into play. You can easily declutter your home and still retain those items you will want and need in the future.

While there are some non-storable household items, you can successfully store furniture, appliances, electronics, etc. Another great use for a self-storage Lynnwood container is for collectibles and “seasonal use” items such as decorations and sporting goods. It’s a safe and protected environment that you have easy access to when you want it.

Not everything can or should be stored

While having a storage unit allows us to declutter our homes and free up some valuable space, it still has its limitations. And one of those limitations is that there are some household items that are non-storable. These are usually things that are either too dangerous to store (i.e. gasoline) or perishable items (i.e. food items) that can spoil easily. So, when renting a storage unit, make sure you know the ground rules of what’s allowed and what isn’t. Otherwise, you might end up causing a major issue within your storage unit and potentially the whole storage facility which can result in a financial or legal penalty.

No entry sign
There are certain items that you can not store in a storage unit

Which are the most common non-storable household items?

There are many types of household items that are non-storable – items that pose a potential danger to the storage facility and the people working there. And this list is a rather long one. But, there are categories of items that are strictly forbidden.

Dangerous items not allowed in storage units

There are many dangerous items around a home. Some pose no threat while in controlled conditions but can be especially dangerous in case of a fire.

Flammable

A leading category of non-storable household items includes flammable items that can combust and cause a fire. And some of the most notable items are gasoline, propane, paint thinner, acetone, and kerosene. They produce no harm on their own when properly sealed in a stable environment. But, in case of a fire, they are very dangerous.

For example, fireworks are strictly forbidden in storage units due to the high concentration of gunpowder in them. Another great example is ammunition and weapons. Even when relocating such items, you need to take special precautions. You should always check with your moving company if they can safely store and transport them. They are dangerous on their own account. But, again, in case of a fire, even a gun safe can be exposed to potential harm.

Lighter in hand
Flammable items are not allowed in a storage unit

Cleaning supplies

While it is perfectly fine to store cleaning supplies such as mops, sponges, gloves, masks, etc. – liquid cleaning products are potentially dangerous to store away long-term. And most storage companies forbid keeping them inside storage units. Instead, either consider using them, sharing them with friends or neighbors, or disposing of them in a safe and environmentally-friendly manner.

And the most obvious example of non-storable items – live plants

Aside from harmful or flammable items, you should also never put plants in a storage unit. There are many reasons why it’s a bad idea to store anything alive. Plants are also something that shouldn’t be stored. They can dry out and begin producing bad odors, they can harbor insects, and some types can continue growing and cause damage to your belongings and storage unit itself.

Other types of non-storable household items

Aside from the obvious ones, there are some other types of items that should never be stored. Aerosols, pesticides, and fertilizers are some of them as if the container starts leaking, it can cause damage to your belongings and the storage unit. It’s the same with medical supplies and pharmaceuticals. Aside from the fact that they can expire and be harmful if ingested, they can also produce bad odors and cause harm to other items.

How should you deal with such items?

Now that you know some of the non-storable household items, you should also be aware of what to do with them. If you can’t keep them in your home, you will have to either find someone who wants them or secure a way to safely dispose of them. Most of the items on this list can’t just be thrown away. You have to take them to a facility that can ensure they are properly disposed of. It is against the law to throw away any of these items in a dumpster, empty chemicals outside, or leave such items on the side of the road or in an abandoned area. There are eco-friendly measures for properly disposing of such items, it just takes a little bit of research and planning.

Truck with a heap of appliances and items
You can always turn to recycle services for non-storable, non-hazardous household items

Be responsible when dealing with items that you are unable to store away

It’s very important that you deal with those items in a safe and environmentally friendly way. Most, if not all, of the items on this list, are dangerous for the environment in some way or another. So, if you have a box of ammunition that you no longer need – simply take it to the ammo shop. They will most likely be willing to take it and handle its disposal appropriately. And if you have potentially dangerous chemicals, make sure you don’t bring them to a temporary storage Seattle facility.

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