Spring Cleaning and Storage!

Spring Cleaning Storage

As winter sets in and the days get shorter, it will seem like there’s not enough time in the day to get everything done. Winter in general is a time when most of us just want to hibernate due to a lack of energizing vitamin D that we’d normally get from spending time outside in the sun. This can lead to jobsand tasks around the house piling up as we climb into bed earlier on dark chilly nights, and sleep in a long as possible in the morning!

But soon enough, spring will return, and with it will come a sense of energy and wanting to ‘prepare’ our lives and homes for a brighter future. Use the tips below to get a head start on your spring cleaning so that when the warmer weather is finally here, you’ll be one step ahead of the game and will be able to actually enjoy those first warm days!

Time to De-Clutter

One of the main things we do during spring cleaning is to de-clutter. This doesn’t necessarily mean throwing things away Ð it could mean sorting through items and putting them into categories that include trash, donation, recycle and keep. And for all the items we decide to keep, we may not necessarily have room for them.

Best Approach

The first thing to do when beginning spring cleaning, is to set a goal for yourself. Create a list of the different categories as noted above. List which rooms need work, and put them in the order you’ll work on them. Ensure you have all the proper tools such as boxes and packing materials, recycle bins, labels, and cleaning supplies. Additionally, if other family members will be helping you with the spring cleaning project, assign tasks to each of them and provide timelines of when the work should be completed. The more hands on deck the faster the work will be done.

Prepare for Storage

Before you begin the actual project of spring cleaning, you should do an assessment of items you know will need to be stored. These types of items could include the following:

• Winter clothing, footwear and accessories
• Sleds, skis, skates, snow shoes and other winter sports equipment
• Shovels, snow blowers and other snow removal tools
• Winter vehicle items such as snow tires

Many of us use either the basement or the garage to store these types of items, but they can take up a lot of space and tend to look somewhat messy. Why not choose a storage unit instead? This will free up the garage to be used for its original purpose Ð parking your car!

Next, research local storage facilities near your home. This way you’ll be able to start the spring cleaning project by placing items to be stored in the facility, and in turn free up more space for you to work on the rest of the cleaning.

What to Look For in a Storage Facility

There are several factors you should take into consideration when choosing a storage facility. Here are some considerations when evaluating self storage facilities

• Location Ð how far is the storage facility from your home? The closer it is, the easier it will be to access your belongings
• Price Ð many storage facilities will offer special pricing if you choose to rent the unit for a pre- determined amount of time
• Security Ð look for a facility that has multiple security measures in place, including some or all of the following:
• 24 hour video surveillance
• Smoke and fire detectors and alarms
• Keypad access
• Motion sensors
• Locked access gates that you will need a key or card pass to use to open
• Well lit
• Clean

Get Packing!

Once you’ve chosen a storage facility, it’s time to start the project. For most items that will be stored, you’ll need boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap etc. Once all your packing materials are assembled, use the following tips to ensure your goods are packed and stored properly:

• Heavy or large items such as tires, skis etc. do not need to be packed but you may want to cover them with plastic sheeting or moving blankets to keep them dust free
• For larger metal objects such as sleds, a light coating of mineral oil can help prevent rusting and corrosion Ð needless to say ALL items being stored should be thoroughly cleaned and dried before being placed in the storage unit.
• Use clear simple labelling on your boxes so that you’ll be able to find items easily
• Pack boxes lightly so that they’re easy to move. Ensure you fill empty spaces within boxes with packing paper. This will ensure stability and prevent the boxes from collapsing when they’re being stack on top of each other.
• Load the heaviest boxes into the unit first and pack the lightest boxes on top
• Do not pack any combustible chemicals
• Do not pack any perishables such as food Ð this will prevent hungry rodents from eating holes in your boxes

A Job Well Done

Once your storage items are out of the way, you’ll have extra space to complete the spring cleaning project. Having somewhat de-cluttered already by freeing up the space taken by large items now in storage, you’ll be able to reassess the remaining steps you’ll need to complete your spring cleaning.

You’ll be glad for a job well done, and come next winter, all your winter items will be safe, dry and ready for use just a short drive away at your storage locker!