It's an amazing feeling when you decide that it's time to get yourself a storage rental. It's even better when you've decluttered your home, but before you get too excited, you'll want to make sure your storage unit doesn't end up being just another cluttering mess. We've put together a few pointers on keeping your storage unit clean and organized.
Organizing Tips
Whether you are renting a storage locker at a storage facility or using a storage container, the best way to ensure your self-storage stays organized is to start off organized. By that, we mean begin when you start packing. If possible, use plastic storage bins instead of cardboard moving boxes; they last longer, protect your belongings better, and are better for stacking. Be sure to label your boxes and, to take it one step further, attached an itemized list to the side. This will make it incredibly easy to locate items at a later date.
Once you have all of your boxes packed and larger items ready to store, make a plan or draw a storage unit map. It is best to put the items that are used the least at the back of the unit, and the ones you will need to access sooner, at the front. As you are filling the storage unit up, leave room to move around, and don't stack heavy items on top.
Cleaning Your Storage
When renting public storage, the units are usually cleaned before they go up for rent, but it never hurts to give it a quick clean yourself, which is really giving it a quick sweep.
To keep your unit clean and protect your belongings, if possible use palettes to raise your stuff off the ground. If that's not an option, don't worry about it, you can still keep it clean.
It can be easy to forget about your storage unit once you have all this extra space in your home, so, with that being said, don't forget to check on your locker from time to time. At that time, see if there are any items you can get rid of or donate; it's amazing when you realize what you don't need after it's out of your sight every day. It is also recommended that every six months to a year you pull everything out to give the storage unit a good clean by sweeping the floors and wiping the walls.
Another step you can take to protect your larger items such as furniture and electronics is to cover them. Dust accumulates whether we like it or not, so throw a blanket over some more expensive things to keep them protected.
Contact the team at Space Centre Storage to learn more about keeping your storage locker clean and organized or to inquire about a storage rental. Space Centre Storage is Kelowna's longest-running and largest storage facility, located just off Highway 97.