As fun as it has been to laze around on warm, sunny days, fall is approaching, and now is the best time to start thinking about storing those pool floaties and light clothing in preparation for the cooler months ahead. Whether it's patio furniture, beach gear, or sports equipment, keeping your items safe and organized ensures that they will be ready to use when summer rolls around again. Self-storage units or containers offer a convenient solution for decluttering your home during this seasonal changeover. Still, feel like you’re stuck in a summer daze? Space Centre Storage has some handy tips to help you properly store your summer items and get ready for the upcoming cozy season.
The best storage solutions for your summer gear:
Clean before you store
Before packing away your summer gear, a good clean is a must. After oodles of time spent outdoors, the accumulation of dirt, grime, and moisture is inevitable and can lead to a build-up of mould, mildew or rust during long-term storage. Wipe down patio furniture with a mild soap and water solution, making sure to remove any debris. For beach gear like towels, umbrellas, or chairs, a good cleaning and drying will help prevent unwanted odors or fabric damage. Sports equipment like bikes, kayaks and outdoor toys can be given a thorough wash and dry. Don’t forget to check for any repairs that might be required before storage.Choose the right storage solution
Investing in one of our basic storage units or MI-BOX storage containers is a great way to keep your summer items secure and organized during the off-season. If you are storing items sensitive to temperature fluctuations, such as wooden furniture, fabrics, or electronics, our heated storage units would be your best bet. For more durable gear like metal or plastic items, our basic storage units would be perfect, if these items are bulky, we recommend opting for one of our drive-up storage units for easy access.
These storage units will protect your belongings from harsh weather conditions, ensuring they remain squeaky clean and perform well when lake season arrives next.Store smart, not hard
How you store your gear is just as important as where you store it, it can make all the difference in terms of storage efficiency and protection of your well-loved items. For furniture, disassemble large pieces to save space and prevent damage, stack chairs and tables, and cover them with a breathable fabric to avoid trapping moisture and prevent dust from settling on the surface.
For smaller items, like coolers or shades, we suggest storing them in sturdy clear plastic bins to keep them organized and prevent a layer of dust from settling on the surface. The same goes for all your summer clothes. Still have winter coats stored that don’t need to be taken out of storage just yet? A neat tip is to store those items on the top of the summer pile so that they are easy to retrieve when you need them. If you’re short on supplies, we offer the best selection of boxes and packing products, too.Don’t forget to label and categorize your items in storage
When using self-storage solutions, organization will save you a lot of time. Clearly label all your boxes and bins with their contents to avoid confusion—and creating a mess—when it’s time to hit the gorgeous Okanagan Lake again next year. Another tip is to group similar items together— store all your beach gear in one area and furniture in another. If you are storing sports equipment, consider labelling them according to activity to make finding what you need a breeze when summer returns.Make a list, check it twice
The last step before bidding farewell to your summer gear for the year is to take inventory of everything you’ve stored in your storage unit or MI-BOX container. This will help you keep track of what you own and ensure nothing goes missing while it's not in use. This is extra helpful if you are planning on storing some things at home, as it will save you wasted trips to the storage centre if you have a list that denotes exactly where each item is stored. The other benefit is that unpacking what you need next year will be much easier and quicker. You don’t want items you stored haphazardly, taking away precious time spent outdoors!Prepare for fall
While you’re at it, be your most efficient self and swap out your summer essentials for fall gear that’s been stored, like rakes, leaf blowers, decorations and cold-weather sports equipment. It’s finally time to keep these items accessible in your garage or home, as you will have freed up space by storing your summer items. Not sure what size storage unit will fit your belongings? Our storage unit size estimator can help you make the right choice. If you decide to go for our convenient, portable storage containers, then there’s no need to worry. Just organize your summer belongings towards the back of the unit, and fall and winter gear towards the front, and voila, you’re all set!
With Kelowna's Space Centre Storage, storing your summer items doesn’t have to be a hassle or feel like a massive chore looming over your head. A little bit of preparation goes a long way, and our storage experts are always ready to help if you feel overwhelmed. We’ve been serving Kelowna’s residents for years, so no matter your storage requirements, we’ve got the solution. Reach out to us today, and we’ll take care of all your storage woes!
Whether you require short—or long-term storage, we can accommodate your needs. Can’t decide on a storage unit size that would be perfect for your belongings? We have a convenient storage unit size estimator to help with the decision. Renovations are complicated enough as they are; let Space Centre Storage simplify them a bit for you. Reach out to us, and we’ll take care of all your storage needs.