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It’s Time for a Summer Clean Out!

Family cleaning their home

One of the best things about Summer is the longer days giving us what feels like more time to tackle projects. If you have been wanting to take on a big clean out or full force home organization project, now is the perfect time. We have the best tips for getting your home organized at the beginning of the North Carolina Summer, giving yourself time to relax in a tidy home the remainder of the year!

But first, here some positive reasons to get cleaned out and organized:

  • It makes for an easier to clean your home.
  • Everyday life will become less stressful when you know where to find your stuff.
  • You may save money by not shopping for items you already own.
  • You will be able to use the space in your home to its full potential.
  • An organized home just feels peaceful.

Make a plan.

Sometimes with less glamorous projects such as this, the tendency is to let it fall to the wayside after the initial excitement wears off. A plan will help you stay the course and see this project to completion. Think about the work that needs to be done in each room of your home and make a master list. Remember this list whenever your enthusiasm wanes and check items off to fuel the feeling of accomplishment!

Commit to a timeline.

Look over your plan and realistically set a start and end date. You can even break your to-do list down into smaller sections with a deadline set for each. Refer back to the positives listed above when procrastination rears its ugly head.

Find motivation in a playlist.

Create a playlist of fun, upbeat, energy inducing music to play for the sole purpose of cleaning out and getting organized. Figure out the amount of time you have each day to devote to this project and choose the amount of songs needed to cover that time. Crush your organizing plan by playing this list loud and proud during each clean out session. Did you know: Zippy Shell’s portable storage units are perfect for storing items from the home, giving you more space to clean and organize. Check us out today for answers to any questions you may have and a free quote!

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It’s Time for a Summer Clean Out!

Woman carrying picture in home

One of the best things about Summer is the longer days giving us what feels like more time to tackle projects. If you have been wanting to take on a big clean out or full force home organization project, now is the perfect time. We have the best tips for getting your home organized at the beginning of the North Carolina Summer, giving yourself time to relax in a tidy home the remainder of the year!

But first, here some positive reasons to get cleaned out and organized:

  • It makes for an easier to clean your home.
  • Everyday life will become less stressful when you know where to find ALL the things.
  • You may save money by not shopping for items you already own.
  • You will be able to use the space in your home to its full potential.
  • An organized home just feels peaceful.

Make a plan

Sometimes with less glamorous projects such as this, the tendency is to let it fall to the wayside after the initial excitement wears off. A plan will help you stay the course and see this project to completion. Think about the work that needs to be done in each room of your home and make a master list. Remember this list whenever your enthusiasm wanes and check items off to fuel the feeling of accomplishment!

Commit to a timeline

Look over your plan and realistically set a start and end date. You can even break your to-do list down into smaller sections with a deadline set for each. Refer back to the positives listed above when procrastination rears its ugly head.

Find motivation in a playlist

Create a playlist of fun, upbeat, energy inducing music to play for the sole purpose of cleaning out and getting organized. Figure out the amount of time you have each day to devote to this project and choose the amount of songs needed to cover that time. Crush your organizing plan by playing this list loud and proud during each clean out session. Did you know: Zippy Shell’s portable storage units are perfect for storing items from the home, giving you more space to clean and organize. Check us out today for answers to any questions you may have and a free quote!

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Decluttering Tips to Turn Your North Texas Home into a Sanctuary

A clean and immaculate kitchen

Keeping a tidy home feels like an impossible task at times, especially if you have kids! Our homes should be our sanctuaries, a place to rest and relax after a hard day. A cluttered home can make relaxing out of the question. It’s time to bring peace back to your North Texas home! Continue reading to discover how to tackle your clutter once and for all.

A Place for Everything

If every item in your home does not have a designated space, guess what is going to happen? It is going to end up as clutter. Try giving items that normally turn into clutter an assigned place, and then adjust as you learn more about what works well and what doesn’t.

Identify Clutter Traps

Kitchen counters, night tables, coffee tables, entry halls, and bathroom counters can all be a battleground for endless, visible clutter. Consider using attractive baskets and containers in these areas to house items you like to have at your fingertips. Just remember to purge these containers frequently to avoid pile-up.

Purge Again and Again

Don’t take up valuable space and mental energy with items you no longer use. As you are purging, think about the last time you really used the item and the emotional reasons you may be hanging on to it.

Baby Steps

If your house is extremely cluttered, it might be easy to get discouraged. Make it a point to deal with a little clutter every day. Dedicate 15-30 minutes each day to clutter busting with no distractions. Focus on one area at a time. Set up a box for donations and haul it away as soon as it is full.

Out of Sight

If you own items that you don’t have room for, but you want to keep – a mobile storage unit may be the answer you seek. Pack your extra items in a Zippy Shell and send them off to a secure, climate-controlled storage center. Then sit back and breathe a sigh of relief in your clutter free sanctuary of a home!

If you are looking to declutter your home and need some extra storage, give Zippy Shell a call today to see how we can help you!

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De-Stress Your Move to the Piedmont-Triad Area

happy moving couple

The Piedmont-Triad area of North Carolina is made up of three major cities: Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem. And we understand why you would want to move here! It is a fast growing, economically thriving area with a wide array of entertainment and recreation options.

After the initial excitement of making a move, the emotion that sometimes takes over is stress. Zippy Shell aims to make your move to the Piedmont-Triad as stress free as possible with the following tips:

Accept the inevitable: Let’s make it clear from the beginning that at some point along your moving journey, you will feel stressed. Recognize the stress, but don’t let it overwhelm you or deter you from the tasks at hand.

Plan ahead: There are many steps involved in the moving process and you need to give yourself adequate time to devote to each one. The more you leave to the last minute, the more stress you’ll inevitably feel.

Stay organized: Make a detailed list of all the tasks you need to complete by the day or the week. Keep all the important documents required during a move organized and in an easy to access place. Devise a system for packing and labeling boxes that will make your belongings easy to find when needed. There is no such thing as too many labels! You can also consider an inventory list for this task.

Ask for help: Having help from family and friends during the sorting, packing, and moving processes is a great distraction and more importantly it makes the work go faster! Also, lean on your family and friends for emotional support when you feel overwhelmed.

Take care of yourself: We know it feels like the moving process takes over your life, but don’t let your healthy habits suffer. Continue to eat a balanced diet to give yourself energy and make time for an adequate amount of sleep.

Zippy Shell wants to help de-stress your move to the Piedmont-Triad area. We offer affordable and convenient options that will simplify your move. Having someone in your corner who cares about your belongings just as much as you do should definitely cut down on your stress level!  

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How to Store Winter Clothes and Coats

winter clothes closet

No matter the temp outside, it’s always a good time to declutter your living spaces, attics and garage, creating more usable areas for entertaining and storage for seasonal items. Zippy Shell of North Texas offers portable storage units that are delivered directly to you and picked up when you are ready. Then, we store them in a climate-controlled facility until you need something.

One of the best ways to utilize a Zippy Shell portable storage unit is to store all the winter items you no longer are using, thus making room for summer stuff that is more useful to us here in Texas.

Storing winter clothes: First, wash your winter clothes, polish those boots and match up those thick socks. Storing your clothing and footwear when fresh and clean will help maintain their appearance until late fall. Second, repair or mend any items that look a little ragged. It’s a great feeling to pull out your favorite sweater in December and have it look and smell great! Rather than storing it with that pull, go ahead and mend it now. Third, pack them properly in plastic storage containers. Your Zippy Shell portable storage unit has a lot of room for your things and using plastic containers can maximize that space. Mark each container with a colorful marker so you’ll know what it contains (shoes, sweaters, workout clothes).

Storing winter coats: Even in North Texas we need heavy coats sometimes, but they sure take up a lot of space. It’s a great idea to store them in your Zippy Shell unit, as well. The type of coat makes a big difference in how you prepare it for storage, but for all coats, what is universal is that they need to breathe. Zip them up or button them up and lay them flat or hang them up. Don’t stuff them into plastic storage boxes or fold them. 

One of the best ways to preserve your winter clothing is to ensure a cool, dry, dark place for their storage. A Zippy Shell unit is ideal for this purpose. When cold does come our way again, your clothes will be ready! Check Zippy Shell out today to see how we can help you!

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4 Reasons to use Portable Storage for Your Move in the Piedmont Triad Area

Moving boxes

Whether you are moving to the Piedmont Triad area for the first time or moving to a new location within the area, either way you have made a very wise decision! In this area, we enjoy great weather, family friendly activities, a wide array of entertainment and recreation choices, a thriving economy, and a strong sense of community. What’s not to love? To make your move as seamless and stress-free as possible, portable storage units are definitely the way to go.

Here are 4 reasons you should use a Zippy Shell portable storage unit for your next move:

Convenience: We come to you. Your portable storage unit will arrive in your driveway or on your street ready to be loaded. You gain the convenience of packing up your storage unit right from your original destination. Our innovative design allows for placement in tight spots and at tough angles.

Flexibility: Life happens. Your closing date changes, an inspection causes delays, your moving helpers reschedule, your new job starts early or later than expected – any number of things out of your control can cause chaos during a move. Zippy Shells give you flexibility during that chaos. Delivery dates and storage dates can all easily be rescheduled when you use a portable storage unit.

Security: While on your property, a block will be placed on your Zippy Shell hitch that only we can remove to prevent anyone else from taking off with your valuables. While in storage, your container will be held in a secure, climate controlled indoor facility.

Simplicity: Leave the driving to us. Leave the storage to us. Leave the stress to us. You have more important things to attend to during a move!

Zippy Shell of the Piedmont Triad area will make your move simple and convenient. This is a fast-growing area and we look forward to meeting your moving needs. Visit www.zippyshell.com today to learn more about the services we offer.

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Top Ideas for Summer Fun in Philadelphia

Philadelphia

Moving to Philadelphia? There are so many fun things to do in this historic city. As the city of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania and is rooted in tons of community involvement. The city is home to the Liberty Bell and the Declaration of Independence and is famous as the birthplace of liberty and the pursuit of happiness. With five counties, there are endless things to do: parks, museums, parks, historic sites and amazing food. Welcome to Philly!

Festivals

There are tons of festivals to attend during the summer months. From music to fashion and cars and more, you’re sure to find a festival that calls to your passion. Get out there an mingle!

  • Manayunk Arts Festival, Saturday, June 22, 2019
  • Wawa Welcome America (Philly’s multiday birthday party), June 29 – July 4, 2019
  • Concacaf Gold Cup Quarterfinals, Sunday, June 30, 2019
  • XPoNential Music Festival, July 18-28, 2019, July 26-29, 2019
  • East Passyunk Car Show and Street Festival, Sunday, July 28, 2019
  • Opening of the Franklin Square Fountain Show, Summer 2019 (TBA)
  • BlackStar Film Festival, August 1-4, 2019
  • Made in America Music Festival, August 31 – September 1, 2019
  • Fringe Festival, September 5-21, 2019
  • Kennett Square Mushroom Festival, September 7-8, 2019
  • Fashion District Philadelphia Debut. Summer TBA

Rediscover Nature

Philly boasts some of the most scenic parks in the area. Enjoy hiking, biking, jogging paths, gardens and more.

Sports Fans

Steeped in more than 100 years of hanging out with professional sports teams, Philadelphia offers a host of sports-fan fun. Check out these top picks for sports fans in Philly.

Nightlife

No place does nightlife like Philadelphia. From hipsters to jazz, everyone has a favorite spot in this incredible city. Take some time to review this list of top picks for nighttime entertainment in Philly before you head out. Add to this list music, theaters, dance and shopping and you have the full range to create a very busy social or hobby schedule this summer. Have fun!

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Summer Fun in the Piedmont Triad Area

music festival

If you are you new to the Piedmont Triad Area of North Carolina, you may be wondering what the locals do for fun during the summer. You are in luck! We have a finger on the pulse of the summertime fun in the local area. Even if you have you been in the area for a while, you are sure to find some activities to add to your summer bucket list with the Memorial Day weekend nearly upon us!

Festivals

There are so many festivals to choose from during the summer, there must be at least one suited to the interests of every single person in the Piedmont Triad Area. Music, gardening, food and drink are just a few of the many options.

Spirits of Summer – June 1, Winston-Salem

Juneteenth SOULebration – June 15, High Point

Summer Solstice Festival – June 22, Greensboro

Eastern Music Festival – June/July, Greensboro

Summertime Brews Festival – July 20, Greensboro

Southeast Crab Feast – Sept 7, Winston-Salem

Explore Nature

On the outskirts of the three cities that form the Piedmont Triad there are mountains, lakes, trails, and rivers for you to explore. Power down your devices and soak in the energy of our beautiful scenery.

Hanging Rock State Park

Pilot Mountain State Park

Hagan – Stone Park

Take a Dip

Cool down at one of the many pools or splash pads in the area. You will find a great list here. If you prefer nature’s pool party, you can find some amazing natural swimming holes. Start your exploration with this list.

Museum Hopping

Beat the heat with a little museum hopping this summer. Here are some of the top attractions to explore.

International Civil Rights Center & Museum

Greensboro Science Center

Greensboro Children’s Museum

Greensboro History Museum

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Top 3 Cleaning Hacks For Your North Texas Home

home cleaning

Are you feeling as if your home needs a little deeper cleaning than normal? We at Zippy Shell live and work in the North Texas community, so we understand the challenges our environment brings to keeping your home spic and span.

Hack 1 – Clean ceiling fans without the dust shower: Ceiling fans are an integral part of any Texas home, thanks to our famous heat! Most of us have dusted the fans only to find our floors and maybe ourselves covered in a shower of dust. However, if you take an old pillow case, spray a little furniture polish inside and then run the pillow case up and down the fan blade, all that gross stuff is trapped.

Hack 2 – Clean your blinds in a jiffy: Blinds can be a real pain to clean. Use an old sock, dip it a mixture of water and vinegar and run it over the blind or slats. Pro tip: If you or a loved one are sensitive to chemicals, this is also a great way to use less cleaning solutions in the home.

Hack 3 – Make those stainless-steel appliances shine: Many North Texas homes include stainless steel appliances. We can certainly see the allure, but we also don’t like the finger prints that are usually par for the course. Use a little dish soap and water on a very soft cloth to clean the appliance and then follow with olive oil or mineral oil to make it shine.

Hack 4 – Eliminate garbage disposal smell: We’ve heard of using lemons in your garbage disposal, but recently saw a great idea we wanted to pass along to our North Texas neighbors – rosemary lemons cubes. Put some chopped citrus peels and rosemary in each ice cube tray and then fill with white vinegar. Freeze them and then when you are ready to freshen up the disposal, just pop one in. Brilliant!

As part of the community, the Zippy Shell North Texas location stands ready to help you with all your moving and storage solutions (and a few cleaning hacks, too).

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Tips for Moving to Philadelphia, PA with Kids

moving with kids

Philadelphia, PA is a great city with a lot to see and do for families with kids. If you are moving to Philadelphia, there a few ways to make it easier on the kids before, during and after your relocation.

Involve your kids early in the process: This is especially important if you are moving from one type of area to another. For example, if you live in a rural area or a suburb but are moving to one of the urban Philadelphia neighborhoods, help them understand the differences.

Show them what they can look forward to: Philadelphia is a grand city! Show them videos of what they can expect to see and do in Philadelphia. VisitPhilly.com has a lot of great things listed and the Mommy Poppins blog is specifically geared to kids in Philadelphia. You can check it out here.

Make room for their loved stuff: One of the best things about using portable storage units is that you can moving and keep your things in secure storage until you need them! This offers you and your family time to decompress with what you need in the new home and then have the rest of your things delivered to you when you are ready. Your kids can have their beloved objects in the home now and you can have other items delivered later.

Stick to a routine: ChildMind.org suggests keeping your kids on a regular routine after you are in the new home. You may have a big desire to push ahead with unpacking, having your storage unit delivered, etc. but it might be better to keep the kids on an established schedule.

Moving with kids doesn’t have to be stressful and we are here to help at the Philadelphia Zippy Shell location with the flexible moving and storage solutions you need. It’s one less thing to worry about during a move.