Storing your belongings over winter can be an easy and inexpensive way to make room for new seasonal items. But if you don’t do it right, you could end up with a broken lamp or an entire box of unused Christmas decorations—and that’s no fun. To avoid this fate, follow these tips for storing your stuff safely.
Winter Storage Tips
Is it time to clean out the garage or attic?
Winter is a great time to clean out your garage, attic, or basement. It’s a good time to get rid of old things you no longer need, and it’s also a great time for taking inventory of what you have. If you’re planning on storing stuff in the cold-weather months, it’s important that everything is in working condition before packing it away.
Disassemble larger items and store them in smaller boxes.
The best way to store your furniture, appliances and other large items is by disassembling them into smaller pieces. You can do this with a screwdriver or an electric drill, depending on the size of your item. If it’s too big for you to handle on your own and you don’t have an electric drill, consider hiring help from a friend or family member who has one.
Assemble the smaller parts into cardboard boxes (if they aren’t already in one). If there are any moving blankets or plastic sheeting left over from moving day, use those as well.
Take an inventory of everything you’re putting into storage.
The first step is to take inventory of everything you’re storing. It’s easy to forget about the stuff that doesn’t come out often and put it away for months on end, only to find out later that it’s gone missing or broken. So take photos of each item before you store it, and keep a written list of where each item went so you can remember how to find them later when it’s time for them to come back out again. You’ll also want a trusted friend or family member along when you’re trying, not just because they can help keep track of things, but also because they can be an extra set of eyes if something goes wrong while moving into storage.
Finally, make sure that your storage unit has enough space so nothing gets squashed! If there are any problems with your storage unit—or if there are too many items in one place—then be sure and let someone know right away so they can fix what needs fixing!
Avoid storing any items that are perishable, flammable, explosive or otherwise hazardous.
- Avoid storing any items that are perishable, flammable, explosive or otherwise hazardous.
- Perishable items include food and beverages that can spoil if they’re not stored at the proper temperature.
- Flammable items include gasoline and other fuels, paint thinners and solvents. These substances should be kept in a safe location away from heat sources.
- Explosives include ammunition and fireworks — both of which should never be stored near your home’s heating system (this will prevent accidental ignition).
You can make storing your belongings over winter easy with these tips.
Winter is a great time to store your belongings. It can also be a good time to tidy up and clear out, so you have less clutter in the spring. Here are some tips on how to store your belongings over winter:
- Pack away any items that aren’t needed throughout the year. This includes seasonal decorations, sports equipment, clothes that won’t fit until next year, etc. Don’t forget about all those boxes and bags of stuff you’ve been meaning to sort through but never got around to! You could even donate them or sell them for some extra cash if they’re still useful.
- Put heavier items at the bottom of your wardrobe so they don’t fall over with weight as clothes hang above them (or worse yet—end up crushing something else!).
- Wrap all breakables individually in bubble wrap or other soft padding before placing into boxes or containers; this way they’ll stay safe while being transported from place to place during storage periods each year (and avoid breakage!).
With these tips in mind, you can keep your garage and attic organized and ready for spring. You’ll be able to put all your stuff back where it belongs after a winter of storage and get back to enjoying your home. Let Contain Your Stuff Penticton take care of your winter storage needs.
