With spring in the air, it’s time for a little cleaning and reorganizing! Spring cleaning is the perfect way to prepare for the warmer months. What better place to start than your storage unit? It’s easy to forget what you’ve got packed away in those boxes or bins, and clutter can build up fast. Follow these tips to give your storage unit, no matter the size, some much-needed TLC.
Clean out your storage unit
If your storage unit is packed to the gills, spring is a great time to give it a nice refresh. While having extra storage space is great for holding on to important belongings like paperwork, antiques, and family mementos, chances are that’s not all that’s in your unit. Whether you’ve got a kid coming home from college or a home remodel coming up, storage units often become a catch-all for miscellaneous stuff. Follow these tips to get rid of the things you don’t need, and give your storage unit a good clean:
- Take everything out of your unit. Depending on the size of the unit, you might be surprised with what you find.
- Give your storage unit—and your stuff—a quick clean. Boxes and furniture get dusty no matter where they are, so clean up your stuff and give your unit a sweep. Regular cleaning keeps your items in pristine condition. With a clean slate, you can more effectively use your space.
- Take inventory of what’s in your unit. What can be donated? What do you want to keep? This is often the step that takes the longest, so take your time assessing everything. Make piles for what you’re keeping and giving away so you can easily pack up the stuff you don’t want and drop it off at a donation center like Goodwill.
- Set aside the things you want for warmer weather. Whether it’s summer gear or spring clothing, now’s a great time to move it out of your unit so you’ll be able to quickly grab it when you need it.
Time to organize
Now that your storage unit is nice and clean (and you know what’s in it), it’s time for reorganizing. This is also a great time to store your winter gear, like sleds and coats. Before loading it all back in, follow these tips to make the most of your storage space.
- Get bins or boxes that are the same size. This makes them easy to stack and optimizes your square footage. If you can, choose clear plastic bins. This helps you know what’s inside each one without even opening them.
- Label every box. List out what’s in each one, the room(s) the items came from, and the number of boxes you have. This ensures you don’t lose anything or misplace things in your storage space.
- Make a list of what you’ve got in your storage unit. Having a master list that you take home is a great reference. It’ll help you remember where everything is, whether it’s at home or in storage. This will save you time driving back and forth to your unit.
- What stuff will you need to access most frequently? Organize it so those boxes are closer to the front of your unit, and avoid stacking things on top of them.
Cleaning out your storage unit each year is a wonderful way to keep track of your stuff, donate the things you don’t want, and ensure your belongings stay in perfect condition. If you’re ready to get started, consider finding a secure spot in Oregon or a dry place in Washington to protect your stuff.