Spring cleaning is almost in full affect and you might be wondering how to store items in your storage unit efficiently. Here’s a small list that might help you get started:

• Pads, sheets and blankets are a great way to protect fragile items.
• Instead of cardboard boxes, use plastic containers so you can see the items inside.
• Label boxes or containers on all sides and the top; or print a list of all items and tape it on the outside of the box.
• Boxes should be stored with the heavier boxes and items on the bottom.
• To save space, take apart items like your table, bed frame or bookcases.
• When storing appliances such as a microwave or a refrigerator, leave the doors slightly open to avoid mildew.
• Instead of folding clothing items, use wardrobe boxes so items can remain hanging.
• Finally, create a list of all items you put into storage.

Our mini storage units come in 5×5, 10×10 and 10×30, so give us a call today to check for availability!

• Wood chairs and tables should be pulled in from outside and placed in storage. Replace any pieces that have become weathered and use an all-weather stain to prepare them for next year.
• Allow your canoe or kayak to breathe and avoid placing a cover over top of it in the storage unit.
• Replace or fix used gardening tools. A large barrel is an easy way to store your shovels, picks, and other gardening tools.
• Close the pool and move bottles of chemicals to storage to free up shelves in the garage. By adding a label and moving these chemicals to a storage unit, you can utilize the space for necessary winter tools.
• When storing beach equipment leave the sugar-white sand at the beach! Before adding your beach items to your storage unit, be sure to shake any loose sand out – add an extra step by rinsing off items (beach chairs, coolers, etc.)
• Use shelves to keep boxes of clothing off the ground and keep your storage unit organized.
• Place a few Damp Rid containers around your unit to keep moisture from building up.
• Wardrobe boxes will store articles of clothing that should not be folded in boxes. To avoid deep wrinkles, fold clothing loosely.
• Fiberglass holds in moisture even after it has sat out for a few days, so store the boat, kayak, or canoe with Damp Rid or similar products surrounding the water toys.
• Use a shelf to store pool chemicals so you can keep them in single layers. If stacked, containers can crack and spill.
• Make every piece of the grill spotless as to not entice rodents. We aim to keep our storage facilities clear of pests, you can help by leaving the food at home and cleaning off equipment that is used to cook.
• Remove chlorine from inflatables with common kitchen vinegar, then leave out to dry.

Our team of experts will help you find the best storage unit for your needs. Whether you’re looking for a place to store seasonal items from your garage, or larger items such as your boats, jet-skis or RVs, give us a call today!

While many associate winter with endless cups of hot cocoa and thick blankets, there are some things that many forget to consider. Depending on where you live, winter can cause strife for your furniture. All it takes is a day of rain or hail followed by a night of cold windchills and you’re left with a thoroughly ruined piece of furniture.

Many outdoor furniture is advertised as waterproof, but due to Florida’s temperamental weather, there are various factors that need to be taken into consideration. While placing a tarp or covering on top of a piece of furniture may seem like it will protect from any rain, doing so could lead to mildew due to humidity. Freezing rains can cause even your metal or plastic furnishings to produce wear and tear in the form of rust or cracking.

Whether you are needing to store a few pieces of furniture to make room for holiday decorations in your home, or are wanting to protect your summertime outdoor furniture from the elements this winter, give us a call today at Brown’s Outdoor Storage! We are conveniently located off Highway 85 just south of Interstate 10. Swing on by for a tour of our facilities.

At Brown’s Mini Storage, we value each and every customer. Whether you’re simply giving us a ring to get more information, or have trusted us and our storage units with your belongings, we appreciate you taking us into consideration. Customer satisfaction is of the utmost importance to everyone here at Brown’s Mini Storage. It is our mission to be able to offer something that a lot of competitor storage companies fail to offer their customers. We are happy to be able to offer long-term and short-term storage solutions for your convenience.

We are proudly offering these solutions because we understand the need for one over the other. Whether you’re downsizing your living situation and are in need of storage for your extra furniture pieces, are wanting to store your summer equipment for the season, or you simply need a place to hold some extra boxes for a little while, we’ve got you covered all the way. Whatever the case may be, just know that you do not need to be tied down with long-term storage contracts if that is not what you are looking for.

Brown’s Mini Storage provides clean, roomy storage and great service where customer satisfaction is always the priority. Our storage facility is constructed of high-quality block, fenced, and well-lit. Your possessions will be secure and safe from the elements for as long or as short of a time period that you store with us. Call us today with any questions you may have!

Fall is right around the corner. Fall is beautiful season for many reasons but it also has it’s disadvantages. Fall is that time of year where the trees will start to lose their leaves, which fall on top of cars, or could even get into gutters and cause them to get clogged. Most importantly is the boats and the RV’s. We want to keep them protected under these circumstances.

Fall can be quite tedious when it comes to boats and RV’s. You will want to keep them covered so that leaves or debris will not get in them or on them. The humidity can cause the leaves to stay wet or even mold if they are not cleaned up or removed quickly. Taking your boat out on the water can become a hassle, as you will have to clean up all the leaves or debris that may have fallen from the surrounding trees in your driveway or backyard. This can be frustrating when you want to be able to grab your boat or RV and just go.

To avoid having to clean up the boats or the RV’s, bring them down to our location so that we can keep them covered for you. You will not have to worry about any leaves getting in the boat or on top of the RV. Additionally, our covered storage options protects your boats and RV’s from the harmful sun, excessive amounts of rain, etc.

Call us today if you have any questions about our services!

Are you needing to clear out a few closets or rooms in your house? Is your garage becoming a little too tight of a fit for your car because of all the extra boxes? These are just a few of the most common reasons our customers rent a self-storage unit.

Store Seasonal Items – If Christmas, Halloween and other holiday decorations are taking up space in your garage or back room, a storage unit is a perfect solution. With a storage unit, you will be able to organize your seasonal items and access them throughout the year. Best of all, you’ll have peace of mind that your items are secure and ready when you need them.

Store Large Furniture Pieces Large pieces of furniture can be stored easily in one of our units as we offer units ranging from 5×5, 10×5 to 10×30. Couches, washer and dryers, bookcases, lamps, etc. can’t all fit into a closet so units are the perfect answer.

Unlimited Access Brown’s Outdoor Storage is a reliable self-storage option for the residents of Crestview and surrounding areas. Our units are secured with an 8-food chain-link fence and lit for 24/7 access.

Located a few minutes away from I-10, Brown’s Outdoor Storage is the perfect for you. Give us a call today for more information on our available units and current specials!

Choosing the right storage unit size for you could seem overwhelming as there are a lot of factors to consider. Your two most important questions are likely: how will everything fit and what exactly fits into our self-storage units at Brown’s Outdoor Storage?

5×5
Our 5×5 storage unit is ideal for bookcases, small furniture and boxes. These units are best for storing decorations for holidays, lawn or gardening equipment or sporting gear. While it is the smallest of our unit, you can definitely pack a lot into them and free up space in your garage or closets at home.

10×10
Have you recently downsized and are looking to storing furniture for a spare room or family room? Our 10×10 units are perfect for this! They will fit a sofa, bookcases, mattresses, nightstands, dressers and more! The summer season is just about over so items such as a jet ski or kayak, will also fit into these units.

10×30
Our 10×30 units are great for storing contents of your garage. Boxes, couches, appliances and more will fit into this unit with some room to spare.

It is important to take into consideration the size of your furniture when choosing a storage unit. By flipping furniture onto its side, you will be able to take advantage of the vertical height of your self-storage unit. If you have any questions about the right storage unit size for you, give us a call at (850) 642-1111. We will be happy to help you choose the best unit size for you!

We still have plenty of fun-in-the-sun days in our future this summer so storage for your RV or boat may be the last thing on your mind. However, it isn’t a bad thing to start considering post-summer storage already as quality storage spaces do fill up fast! Here are some tips to keep in mind as a way to prepare for when that time comes:

Boats

• Clean Up! Give your boat’s hull and decks a thorough scrubbing to remove grime, slime, and barnacles. You’ll likely be counting down the days until you can next bring your boat out, so get this done now as to not have to worry about it later.
• To avoid condensation from forming in the tank or fuel lines of your boat, fill up your gas tank completely and then add a fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank.
• Placing mildew control bags in compartments and throughout your cabin can help with keeping things fresh and so you’re not greeted with any less than favorable surprises come next year.

RVs

• A clean RV keeps the pests away! Go through every drawer, cabinet, and nook-and-cranny to ensure that all of your food is cleared out of your RV to prevent attracting rodents and insects. You may be tempted to simply keep canned or bottled foods while in storage as they are not perishable, but it is best to take everything with you.
• Ensure your windows and curtains (or blinds) are closed prior to leaving your RV in storage. Leaving either open can result in furniture or carpeting to fade due to sunlight.
• Sprinkle baking soda inside of your refrigerator after you have cleaned it out and leave the door open, along with cabinet doors to avoid mildew.

Whether it is a boat or an RV you are going to need to put into storage by the end of summer, make sure every time you take either of them out for a spin in the mean time that you’re being mindful and keeping track of any potential fixes you may need to make and take care of. This way you can work on taking care of the fixes during the off time and then get back to it right away next spring.

Our secured lot offers free water, trickle charge electricity and is located off I-10 in Crestview. Contact us at Brown’s Outdoor Storage to begin planning ahead your storage options.

With summer upon us, you may be taking some stuff out of storage for some fun in the sun and now have additional room in your unit. With this in mind, here are some summer storage tips for storing your belongings this summer:

• Create a walk way to the back of your unit by leaving an aisle in the center.
• Due to their tight fitting lids and the convenience of stacking, plastic containers are great for storing items.
• Freestanding shelves are a great way to keep your unit organized and tidy.
• Save time when searching through your belongings by labeling boxes on all sides for easy reference.
• Avoid smudges or staining by wrapping valuables in bubble wrap or un-printed paper instead of newspaper.
• Store frequently used items towards the front of your unit, while placing your valuables belongings towards the rear.
• Prevent rusting or mildew by thoroughly cleaning your furniture and appliances before storage.
• To retain their shape and avoid creasing, store draperies on hangers in a wardrobe box.
• Ventilation is key, do not store boxes flush against the wall. Rather, leave at least an inch space away from the wall.
• As always, do not store any toxins or flammables such as paint, oil, or gasoline.

T-Minus 19 days until the first official day of Summer! Who’s excited?

The weather is finally getting warmer and with it comes the opportunity to do some much needed spring cleaning. Whether it has been months or years since you’ve stepped foot in your unit, it’s never too late to get organized. Here are a few helpful spring cleaning tips for getting control of all your extra furniture, decorations, toys and mementos filling up your unit.

• First you will want to give yourself a deadline. Carve out a specific time that you will be doing your cleaning and stick to it. If possible, enlist some family members or friends to help you out.
• As you clean your storage unit have a few boxes handy. Label them: toss, donate and keep. Pull out one or two boxes at a time and decide what stuff you will be keeping, dividing the rest into the other two piles.
• If you have several boxes with similar labels such as kitchen, entertainment etc., take photos of the inside of the box before closing it up. Then attach the photo to the outside of the box. This will make it easy to find what you’re searching for the next time you visit your storage unit.

Lastly, the team at Brown’s Mini Storage is here to help with any questions you may have. Check out our different storage options for all your needs from household goods to outdoor boat storage, Brown’s has you covered. Call us at 850-642-1111 or stop by 190 John King Road in Crestview.