Tweet

RSS

People rent storage units for many reasons. Some lack space at home, while others need to put their items away while renovating or moving. The list of reasons why one may need storage can go on and on. But, having storage does not mean that you can gather all the items you do not use currently and dump them in a unit. First, you need to thoroughly clean and sanitize your storage unit. Second, you need to figure out an organization system for all the items you plan on storing. You may think that doing this is redundant, but it is more than necessary if you want your storage unit to be functional. Thus, today, we will share our guide to properly organizing and disinfecting your storage unit. If this is something that interests you, keep on reading. 

When organizing and disinfecting your storage, the items you plan on storing must be clean and sanitized too. So, you know what to do before you even rent a storage unit. 

 First, buy necessary cleaning solutions. You do not have to spend a fortune on these - some ethyl alcohol and an all-purpose cleaner will do the trick. Of course, do not forget to prepare your vacuum and a lot of microfiber cloths. 

 Start by vacuuming all the fabrics you want to store - carpets, furniture with upholstery, etc. Then, take that all-purpose cleaner and those microfiber cloths and wipe down every item you plan on storing - from top to bottom. The cleaner your items are, the more organized and sanitized your storage unit will be! 

While cleaning your items, you will probably come across some that you haven't used in a while. Or, you may come across some that are damaged, broken, or just useless. If you do not plan to use these items anymore, do not waste your time cleaning and packing them. More importantly, do not waste your money on renting a bigger storage unit for them. Instead, consider getting rid of them. 

 If you have some items in good shape, you can either give them to your friends and family members or donate them to a charity. Another option is to sell them for some cash. You can do that by organizing a yard sale or by selling online. Finally, if you have things that are too damaged, broken, or useless, just let them hit the bin. If they are too bulky and heavy, you can hire junk removal services. Trained and professional experts can help you out with any kind of 'trash' you may have scattered around your home. 

 Once your items are properly cleaned (and completely dry), you can start packing them. For this, of course, you will need packing supplies. We suggest the following:

Cardboard boxes 

Plastic bins 

Crates 

Packing paper 

Bubble wrap 

Packing peanuts 

Scissors 

Duct tape 

Marker (for labeling) 

 If you have larger pieces of furniture, try to disassemble them first. Then, wrap each piece with packing paper and bubble wrap. Do this even with smaller items. And, if you have some fragile things, place them in a cardboard box or plastic bin filled with packing peanuts. By packing your storage unit like this, you will ensure that all of your items remain intact until you need them again. 

Moreover, while gathering your packing supplies, it might be a good idea to also buy (or rent) a dolly and a couple of stacking palettes. A dolly can be extremely helpful when carrying heavy pieces of furniture! And stacking palettes are always an excellent way to protect your items from pests and other ugly surprises. 

 We cannot emphasize this enough - you need to label every box and bin before you put it into a storage unit. This is not a time or energy-consuming task, but looking for an item you need inside your storage unit is. Just think about all the effort you will have to put into finding something you need - it will be like an annoying little treasure hunt. So, save yourself from that trouble and label every box. It would be best if you could write everything that is inside of the boxes. For instance, instead of writing 'kitchen stuff', write 'cups, mugs, glasses'. Moreover, it is always a good idea to make an inventory list of all the items you have in your storage unit. With this list, you will, at all times, know where specific items are. Once you do all of this, getting an item from your storage unit will be easy-peasy. 

 Lastly, when organizing and disinfecting your storage, you need to properly stack the items inside. Doing this is relatively simple. All you have to do is put the previously mentioned palettes on the floor. These will keep your boxes, bins, and furniture pieces above ground. Once you do this, you can start filling the storage unit with your items. Of course, make sure to choose the right storage unit - one big enough for all of your items. While stacking your items, keep the heavy, bulky pieces on the bottom and add the lighter ones on top. Also, if you have enough room in your storage unit, try making a little passage between stuff. This way, when you need something from the back of your storage, you do not have to take everything out.