How to prep your storage unit for summer days

The summer is upon us! This is the time of the year when we want to prepare for travel, family outings, and outdoor exploration. However, this also means that we need to find a way to create more space in our home for all the extra items required by seasonal activities, as well as for people that will inevitably visit during this period. A great way to accomplish that is renting a storage unit for the duration of summer. You can rent one from one of the Columbus moving companies, or you might want to repurpose another room for storage purposes. Either way, you will want to prep your storage unit for summer. In this article, we will provide you with some guidelines on how to do it effectively, as well as how to prepare your items for their summer vacation. So, without further ado, let’s see.

How to prep your storage unit for summer?

Before you can start with your preparations, you need to figure out what unit type best serves your purposes. Do you need one of the moving containers Columbus Ohio has on offer, or do you need a more specialized unit? To answer that question, you will need to go through the first two steps, below:

• Consider what items you will be storing
• Do you need a climate-controlled storage unit?
• Check your unit for any signs of leaks or moisture
• Prepare your items for storage

Furthermore, you may also need to do some maintenance work on your unit, depending on the state it is in. It is best to start with your preparations sooner than later, as you might realize you have much more work to do than originally intended.

Consider what items you will be storing before you prep your storage unit for summer

The items that you plan on storing will dictate the type of unit that you will need. For example, glass, stainless steel, as well as fabric, all do well even in extreme temperatures. But if you plan on storing anything that contains paper, leather, metal, wicker, or plastic, your options might be more limited. Here are some of the items that you absolutely do not want to leave in extreme conditions:

• Antique furniture
• Electronics
• Artwork
• Photographs
• Makeup
• Collectibles

Basically, anything that has a large value (monetary, sentimental, or both) should never be left to “cook”. If you are planning on storing such belongings, you will want to prepare your storage unit accordingly. You may also need select moving services Columbus Ohio from a professional moving company, to ensure their safe arrival. You may also need to ask:

Do you need a climate-controlled storage unit?

A simple way to prep your storage unit for summer is to choose a unit that does not require any preparation at all! This is, by far, the easiest method at your disposal. However, these units usually go for a premium and you need to carefully consider if they are the best choice for you. They are the number one option to protect your valuables, true, but they might not be always necessary.

Climate-controlled storage units are designed to maintain steady levels of humidity and temperature, which usually range between 55 and 85 degrees. Nothing like the scorching heat outside! Before renting this unit, however, you should ask yourself whether your items are irreplaceable, to start with. Then you need to check whether the sun or heat will actually be able to do any damage to your belongings. Or is there a chance that your items might grow mold on them? Lastly, do those items hold a special place in your heart?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes”, then you might want to explore renting Columbus Ohio storage units climate controlled a bit further. They are the premier storage solution, after all, and they might be well worth your while.

Check your unit for any signs of leaks or moisture

But if you already have a unit all ready to go, you will want to do a quick pass on it before you start cramming your belongings into it. The best idea is to empty the unit of all the items and thoroughly check it for any signs of leaks or moisture. If you haven’t had any rain recently, you might want to grab a hose and sprinkle some water on the roof and the walls of the storage unit. That way, you will be able to identify any potential leaks.

You will also want to look for any signs of residual moisture, as well as any signs of pest activity. If you do spot any of those, you will need to act accordingly. While moisture prevention can range from simple to really complicated, you can always call a pest-control company to get rid of unwanted visitors and pest-proof your unit. Once that is completed, all that is left to do is:

Prepare your items for storage

The first things that you may want to store are winter clothes. Prepare them by removing anything that is in the pockets, especially pieces of food. Even if your storage unit is pest-free, you don’t want to lure any more pests into coming in. They can smell chocolate from a mile away! Well, not really, but they do have uncanny ways of figuring out where the food is. Furthermore, try not to hang your clothes, fold them instead. Folding reduces the stretching of fabric over the months, making your clothes safer while within the unit.

If you have any special materials, such as leather, fur, wool, or synthetic items, they all require additional preparation. Leather needs to be cleaned and rubbed with conditioning oil, while fur needs to be stored in colder conditions. As for wool, you may want to get it dry-cleaned by a professional and store it in breathable garment bags. Anything out of rayon and cotton will also need to be cleaned and folded into similar bags.

For your winter equipment, such as snowboards, skis, and anything else, cleaning it is your first priority. Don’t simply wipe them with a damp cloth, clean the surfaces properly, potentially sanding or sharpening the edges. Slapping a fresh coat of wax on your equipment will prevent it from drying out, and storing it in bags and/or sheets will prevent warping and rusting. Try to store all of your winter sports equipment upright and on soft surfaces.

In conclusion

While there may be other things you may need to do to prep your storage unit for summer, these are the most important ones. You can always contact a storage provider or a professional moving company, as well, and have them provide you with advice that is particular to your situation.