People often clean their homes and garages during the spring to welcome the warm weather and start fresh. If you have a self-storage unit, don’t forget to clear it out to make it easy to stash winter items and stay organized. Here are some tips for spring-cleaning your rental to make the most of this off-site storage.

How to Keep Your Storage Unit Organized

1. Inspect Items

Go through every container in the unit. If you find electronics, install new batteries to ensure they work. Look for corrosion like rust and acid around the port springs that may indicate the item no longer works.

Remove the batteries before placing working items in the self-storage unit. Look for any signs of damage on mattresses, furniture, and clothing, like fraying, moth holes, or mold.

2. Toss or Donate Unwanted Belongings 

Place belongings you want to keep in one pile and those headed to the trash in another area. If you’re ready to part with an item that’s gently used, consider donating it to a local veterans’ or homeless organization. Pet shelters may take towels and blankets, and pawnshops can provide cash for electronics, jewelry, or instruments that are in good shape.

3. Reorganize 

Finally, place the items you want to keep back in the self-storage unit. Stash fabric or paper items and stuffed animals in plastic containers with lids.

Add mothballs or cedar blocks with clothing and linens to prevent moisture issues and ward off pests. Then, label each container with an overarching title and a more specific inventory to make it easy to find everything. 

Consider leaving space for winter items you have yet to bring to the unit. This list may include boxes of accessories like hats and mittens or your holiday ornaments. If you ski or snowboard, place a shelf or hooks in the unit so you can keep the gear off the floor to prevent damage and make sure it’s ready to ride next winter.

People looking for self-storage units should contact Central Storage in Rochester, NY, about their available options. The secure facility has been open since 2003, providing affordable rentals that are clean and safe. Call (585) 232-1141 or visit the website for more information.