How to clean out your storage unit
Everyone knows that decluttering is never a simple task. In fact, it can be really tedious. Stressful, as well. Why? It’s not easy deciding which stuff you are going to keep and which ones you’ll be throwing out for good. This is especially true if you are sentimental and don’t like to throw stuff away. If you at some point decided to rent or buy a storage unit, you must have felt a great deal of relief. You decluttered your home, but your belongings didn’t end up in the trash – they are safely stored away. But, alas, there comes a time when you need to clean out your storage unit.
And this seems like such a waste of time to most people, that they just neglect their storage units for months, sometimes even more. Don’t let that happen to you. The more you take care of your storage unit, the better the chances to keep your belongings undamaged are. So where do you start when you decide to clean your storage area?
Don’t neglect your storage unit – cleaning it regularly will enable your belongings to stay undamaged.
Turn your cleaning mood on
First things first – get mentally prepare for what’s waiting for you behind your storage unit door. Many moving companies in Houston offer very convenient storage units, but if you failed to visit yours for a longer period of time, there’s a good chance you’ve forgotten what’s inside. So it just might be more cluttered than you imagine. However, this isn’t a reason for concern – most areas used for storage are messy. You just need to get your cleaning and sorting mood on, and you’ll have nothing to worry about. And of course – you might need to throw some stuff away, so get ready for that as well.
Before you start to clean out your storage unit, remember:
may or may not last for more than one day. If you haven’t visited your storage unit for more than six months, chances are you’ll need more than just one afternoon to clean it out.
If anyone is available to help you out, you’ll find it much easier to complete this tiresome task. You know how long it takes to declutter your home, so you can figure out how much work it takes to clean out your storage unit.
You don’t necessarily need to toss unwanted things to trash, consider having a small yard sale. And there’s always the option of donating.
Make an inventory of all the things you have stored inside your storage unit, this will enable you to get organized easier.
Make a list of everything inside your storage unit
Once you actually start cleaning out, the best thing to do is to make a kind of inventory of all your stored belongings. If you ask experienced professionals, such as Great Movers Houston, they will tell you that a list of all the items you own will make any decluttering easier. This will enable you to clean out your storage unit more efficiently. The best thing to do would be to take everything out of the storage unit and then slowly make a list of everything you found. Also, try to jot down how many boxes you have at your disposal. This way you’ll reorganize your storage area more efficiently.
Organize your stored items before you start to clean out your storage unit
Naturally, before you start to actually clean, it makes sense to reorganize your stored belongings. Separate the items you no longer want to keep and those you don’t want to keep in storage anymore. Perhaps you’ve been able to find a good spot for them inside your home or managed to find a way to put them into good use. Whatever your reasons might be, there will probably be stuff you’d want totake out of your storage unit. After you’ve separated them, sort and organize the rest of your possessions. Stuff you only need once a year, such as your holiday decorations, can be returned to storage.
You’ve finished with the prep work – it’s cleaning time
Before you step into your storage unit and start mopping the floor and dusting, make sure you check whether there are any signs of mold or humidity inside. If all is clear, you can start cleaning. Your belongings have probably been inside boxes or at least covered with a plastic cover or a sheet. This means you will not need to dust and clean every item separately. Mop the floor and let some air in. Also, if you have any shelves in your storage unit, clean them as well. You might notice that there is a better way to organize your stored possessions, so after you’ve finished cleaning out, organize your items in a new way.
After you’ve finished cleaning, return all your belongings to their original place or find a better-organized way to sort them.
As you can see, although it may sound difficult and tiresome, it is not too complicated to clean out your storage unit. All you need to do is try and be as meticulous as possible and do it in the right order. It might be hard, but try not to keep the things you no longer need. Someone else might put them into good use, and keeping them stored forever just doesn’t make any sense. Most importantly, make sure you clean your storage unit regularly. You don’t want your things to get damaged in any way due to your own neglect. Whether it is twice or three or four times a year – the important thing is not to forget how important it is to take care of your stored belongings. If you do, they will last much longer and you’ll be able to use them for a long time.