When the winter season is over, your heavy clothing and warm accessories won’t be of much use until the cold weather returns. It’s important to safely and efficiently store those winter belongings for the time being. Below are three smart packing tips for when you are getting those items ready for storage.

How to Pack Your Winter Belongings in a Storage Unit

1. Organize & Declutter

Use this time as a chance to organize your seasonal clothing. If you have any winter clothing that you won’t be wearing again or is too badly damaged, it may be time for it to be thrown out. Any clothing that is still wearable, but you won’t be using, can be donated to any number of charities and shelters.

Anything that is badly damaged or just worn out, like leaky boots, should be recycled so it won’t take up valuable storage space. Smaller items and accessories, such as scarves, gloves, or even seasonal jewelry, can be sorted in divided boxes. Rolling luggage and plastic containers are ideal for any clothing that isn’t too bulky.

2. Clean & Dry

It’s important for all of your winter clothing and accessories to be clean. Storing dirty clothing can cause them to mold or otherwise degrade. Dirt and debris from the snow and mud left on an article of clothing can cause other clothing packed together to take on stale odors and bacteria. 

Washing and drying any soiled items should come before packing anything up. Wipe down your boots, and make sure everything is completely dry before packing to avoid mildew. Also, make sure your packaging is in good condition. Containers that are dirty or have holes can soil your clothing or leave them unprotected.

3. Seal Away Bulky Items

Much of winter clothing can be a bit bulky. Heavily insulated coats and thick comforters can take up a lot of space. One way to manage this is vacuum sealing. However, you don’t always need a professional vacuum-sealer. A plastic bag and a vacuum cleaner are all you need to compress the bulkiest of textiles. If you’d rather not compress your winter clothes, you can buy large plastic tubs and crates that will keep them protected and dry. 

If you need packing supplies or a storage space, contact the Stronghold Self-Storage. This facility serves Cincinnati, OH, and the surrounding area with highly-protected storage units ranging from 25 to 300 square feet. Call them at (513) 752-772 to speak to a representative or visit their website for more information.