Posts Tagged 'declutter'

Self Storage Tips & Tricks: Getting Your Wardrobe Ready For Summer

Thursday, April 14th, 2011

It’s great to overhaul and organise your wardrobe during this time of year as part of your Spring cleaning and by getting your wardrobe ready for the summer you can ensure that winter items aren’t taking up valuable storage space. Here are some top tips to spring clean your wardrobe.

First of all, clear out any winter jumpers and jackets to make space for summer clothing as you won’t need these again until Autumn. If you have space underneath your bed you can place them in airtight plastic boxes or in vacuum space bags to make sure that they stay in good condition. Alternatively if you’re short on space you could place them in one of our self storage rooms.

If you’re finding clothes that you haven’t worn in a while, be ruthless especially if you have a small wardrobe and donate to charity or give to someone else who you think might be interested.

Once you have sorted what stays and what should be stored, you can keep your wardrobe free from clutter by organising your clothes by category. Keeping shirts, dresses and jackets together will make it easier for you to find what you want later.

If you’re in need of storage items including vacuum space bags or want to find out how you can benefit from self storage visit www.bigyellow.co.uk to get started.

Did You Know You Can Spring Clean With Vinegar?

Monday, April 11th, 2011

Did you know that you can use white vinegar for spring cleaning on just about any household item? You can buy many types of vinegar from your local supermarket but for cleaning purposes make sure you use white vinegar. It’s a safe, non-toxic and affordable alternative to clean your home rather than using commercial cleaning products that can be hazardous to the environment.

Vinegar will cut through the greasy dirt that forms on your oven by simply dampening a paper towel and wiping. It can also be used as a deodoriser and clear the air in your home by simply placing a bowl of vinegar in the middle of the room. White vinegar is a great cleaning solution however it is a mild acid and shouldn’t be used on items such as crystal, marble or stone surfaces.

To find out how you can benefit from self storage while Spring cleaning around your home, visit our Quote and Reserve Online page to get started.

Tips & Tricks: Spring Clean and Go Green

Monday, March 21st, 2011

Not only is Spring cleaning and going green good for the environment but it can also save you money as natural products can work just as well for cleaning and they don’t carry the harmful effects. Here are some top tips that will help you save money and go green while cleaning this Spring.

There are many cleaning remedies that you can use at home such as sprinkling baking soda over your carpet before vacuuming and you can mix it with water to make a strong natural paste for removing difficult stains on hard surfaces.

Another option is to use a mixture of white vinegar with water which is an environmentally safe, natural solution for your cleaning needs that can be used instead of using harmful chemicals. It’s a natural odour absorber and neutraliser which can be used to clean everything from floors, sinks, bathrooms, kitchens and you’ll be impressed with the results.

Instead of buying sponges, paper towels and cleaning wipes you can use old clothes as cleaning rags. By tearing them to use for rags you will be creating space in your wardrobe while saving money, recycling and going green.

In addition you could buy a few houseplants to put around your home that will not only filter the air indoors but you’ll be making your home go green for Spring and many months to come.

Win The iPad 2 With Big Yellow Self Storage!

Friday, March 11th, 2011

We’re giving you the chance to win the latest iPad in our new prize giveaway. With the UK release date just weeks away, you can be one of the first to get your hands on the latest device from Apple. The device has ended months of speculation as the new edition includes front and rear facing cameras that can record in HD and support FaceTime. The increase in battery life will allow you to play games and talk to friends online for even longer!

To be in with a chance of winning this great prize in our giveaway all you need to do is answer the following question on the Big Yellow Facebook page.

Where is the largest Apple store in the world?
a. New York
b. London
c. Chicago

Tips & Tricks: Bring Spring Into Your Home

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

Spring is on its way and there are many ways you can enjoy it by getting your home ready for the season. It doesn’t even need to cost money as you can use items that you find in nature. Here are some top tips to help you add a touch of Spring to your home.

Simply by opening your windows to allow fresh air back into your home or freshening up tired looking rooms can blow away the cobwebs and winter blues.

One way to bring freshness into your home is through your windows. Not only should they be clean and sparkling but you may want to consider having curtains that don’t block your view outside. One way to do this is by having blinds that won’t completely cover the windows and can still let light in while maintaining privacy.

Another way you can add spring to your home is to fill it with fresh flowers and plants. Flowers can brighten up any room and add a fresh scent while your plants can add a natural look and help to clean the air that you and your family breathe around the home.

You can change some of the furnishings in your home to make it more in tune with the Spring season. Replacing designs and pictures with those that have a fresh Spring theme are all great reminders of the outdoors.

Big Yellow Supports Warwick And Cycle 2 Save Lives

Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

Warwick Sleigh, who works for the Big Yellow Wandsworth store is hoping to raise £15,000 in support of St George’s Hospital dedicated charity, First Touch, which helps fund its equipment and staff initiatives. The money will be given as a thank you to all the excellent staff who gave live-saving care to his new born daughter in October 2009.

Warwick will be leading a team of work colleagues and friends, including ex-Saracen’s rugby star Muna Ebongalame on a bicycle ride to raise the money. The cyclists will ride 60 miles from St George’s Hospital to Eastbourne District General Hospital on 7th May 2011.

We’ve been able to provide the team with matching cycling jerseys and the cause has already raised more than £2,000 so far!

To find out more information about the 7th May cycle, visit cycle2savelives.com, and to learn more about the charity visit www.first-touch.org.uk.

To sponsor Warwick and his team please visit www.justgiving.com/Warwick-Sleigh.

Getting Ready To Spring Clean

Friday, March 4th, 2011

At this time of year the majority of people are happy that the cold and dark nights of Winter have passed and are looking forward to a long Summer. Not only is it a great time to feel refreshed but it’s also a time of year when you can refresh your house. The hardest part is finding the motivation to actually make it happen.

Spring cleaning can seem a major task, but it needs to be done. Starting with a fresh, clean and organised home will make everyone at home feel much better and ensures a healthy environment.

Before you make a start, choose one small area or room that you that you want to accomplish first. Choosing a high traffic area in your home to begin with will increase your motivation because you will be able to notice the result immediately.

As you make your way through areas of your home you can decide what belongings you want to keep, throw away, donate or place in storage. Make sure you only keep what you use and only store what you really want to keep.

At the end of the day you can sort these items by putting them in the correct place, throwing them away or by getting them ready for storage. You can then start fresh with the next area of the home.

By repeating this process in all the rooms in your house you will be to declutter one step at a time and really see the results as you go along. To find out how you can benefit from self storage to help you get organised around the home after the spring clean, visit our Quote and Reserve Online page to get started.

How To Reclaim Your Living Room

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Your living room is meant to be the place in your home where your friends and family gather but if the space is cluttered then it may drive people away. Your living room doesn’t have to be a collection of clutter and keeping it clear shouldn’t feel like a chore that you just want to avoid. Here are some top tips that will help you reclaim the space in your living room.

Clothes that belong in a wardrobe or a jacket that needs to be hung up before you use it next should be placed in the correct space. Items that don’t belong in your living room shouldn’t be kept there.

If all of your possessions don’t have a home then they will always be out of place. Find a space where cluttered items can be kept. Remember to store items where they will be used as it’s easier to put things in place if you don’t have to run around your house putting them all back.

Keeping your decorative items in check is a must, as too many will make your living room look cluttered and disorganised. Only use decorations that you really find inspiring and can add to the atmosphere of the room.

Getting in a routine of clearing clutter once per week will mean that it will never build up. By putting any kitchen items, toys or clothing back where they belong you will make the room more inviting for the next day.

Did You Know Even Hollywood A-Lister’s Need To Cut the Clutter?

Monday, February 21st, 2011

Did you know that we’re not the only ones that suffer from too much clutter around the home? Even former Friends star Jennifer Aniston is selling her Beverley Hills mansion because she is desperate to de-clutter. The house has been placed on the market for an incredible £26million as she looks to simplify and clear the clutter. However, there are many solutions to help solve clutter and get organised in your home without having to move.

Your living space should only have items that are used on a regular basis as all the other items can be stored elsewhere. Ensure all of your items are sorted before you place them in the storage areas around your home as this will prevent clutter being moved from one area to another and for the items that you can’t find a space for you could consider putting them in storage.

You can view the article where Jennifer discusses the clutter in her home here.

Tips & Tricks: De-Cluttering Your Home

Sunday, February 20th, 2011

Deciding how to store items in your home is a very important part of de-cluttering and getting organised. The following tips will help you make quick and valuable decisions which will help you organise all areas of your home.

Hallway – Sort through your collection of scarves, hats, coats and other items of clothing that take up space. You can keep the items that are used daily or weekly as any of the excess items can be moved into a nearby cupboard, donated to charity or put in a self storage room.

Living Room – Old books, DVDs and CDs are the usual culprits so lose the bits and pieces and only display your most prized possessions.

Kitchen – The main source of frustration in a kitchen is overstuffed cabinets and drawers filled with duplicate kitchenware, dishes that are used only on special occasions, mismatched containers and appliances that you no longer use. If you can’t bear to part with an item consider relocating it or putting the items in storage.

Closets – It’s time to be strong and clear out those items that haven’t been worn in the last year, no longer fit or are out of style.
Bathrooms – Throw away any items that have expired or those that are no longer in use. Items such as toothbrushes can be kept in holders to save space and keep them clean.

Office – Any paperwork that can be found on a website or email should be recycled. Filing systems can help you minimise the inflow of paperwork and help reduce your existing paperwork piles.

Kids Room – Teaching children the concept of ‘one in, one out’ can stop toys from becoming jumbled and cluttered on the floor.

Garage –When you clear space in your house, boxes of old clothing, sports equipment and extra furnishings usually end up in the garage and will never return inside your home. To create a vast amount of free space you can donate the items or keep them in self storage.

To find out how you can benefit from self storage, visit our Quote and reserve online page to get started.