Seasonal Storage Tips: How to Store Your Winter Items

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October 11th, 2024

Storing your winter items properly as the seasons change is essential to keeping them in good condition, as well as making space for the things you need during the warmer months. Whether it’s bulky winter coats, snow tires, or holiday decorations, a little planning can save you time and stress next season.

At Fill-It Self Storage, we can provide some excellent tips for packing and storing your winter items, helping ensure they’re ready to go when the snow falls again. Our climate-controlled storage can help protect your winter items from damage related to water, and we can offer many other services as well, so please get in touch with us to discuss our different storage options and learn what options may be best for you.

How to Prepare Winter Clothes for Storage

Before storing any of your winter clothes, we encourage you to clean and completely dry each article. This will help ensure that, when it comes time to wear them again, your clothes do not smell bad, are ready to wear immediately, and stay safe. Cleaning will prevent the odds of bacteria buildup or pests destroying your clothes, while drying will prevent mildew or rust on metal zippers or buttons.

Clothing Packing Tips

To reduce dust or wrinkles, consider packing your winter clothing in dust covers and storing each article according to manufacturer recommendations. For example, some sweaters may be better stored flat, while others should be hung up. Sealed plastic containers may also be a beneficial option.

Tips for Storing Wool Garments

If you need to pack delicate items, such as wool, you will need to take additional precautions. You should store these items in a cool and dry place and use cedar chips to prevent moths. However, it is best to avoid plastic bags or wire hangers on your soft fabrics. Plastic bags can cause yellowing, while wire hangers can leave dimples in the fabric.

When packing wool, use a thicker plastic hanger to prevent these dents. You should also inspect your wool items regularly for any signs of moth damage, especially if you are not keeping them in an airtight container.

How to Store Holiday Decorations

Holiday decorations and lights are good candidates for off-site storage, as they will not be used for much of the year. However, some preparations are necessary to make decorating fun and simple again the next time you take out the decor.

Prevent tangles to lights by winding them into a circle, mitigating the risk of kinks or breakage in the lights. You can also use twist ties, velcro strips, or rubber bands to prevent tangling during handling.

Any delicate decorations should be stored in boxes with sufficient padding. For example, ornaments can be cushioned by styrofoam, clean and dry blankets or stuffed animals, packing paper, or other materials.

Oversized items, like lawn decorations or Christmas trees, can be stored in their original boxes or covered with a blanket or tarp. These tactics can prevent dust buildup. We also suggest you collapse your decorations as much as possible to save storage space.

Storing Winter Sports Gear and Other Equipment

If you own any other winter items, like snow tires or sports gear, we encourage you to clean and wipe down these items before storing them. These items should also be stored dry to prevent rusting, warping, or other damage.

We also encourage you to manage the upkeep of these items before bringing them in for storage. For example, you may want your ice skates to be professionally sharpened, your snowboard and skis waxed, and safety equipment thoroughly cleaned. This way, you don’t have to worry about fixing damages that would have been preventable, and you can use your equipment again at the drop of a hat.

Keep Your Winter Items Safe with Fill-It Self Storage

At Fill-It Self Storage, we offer secure and convenient storage solutions to make the seasonal transition smoother. Whether you’re storing delicate clothing, bulky decorations, or specialized sports gear, we can help you keep your items safe and ready for use next season. Our climate-controlled units offer the perfect solution to protect your belongings from moisture, pests, and temperature changes, ensuring they remain in top condition.

When you store with Fill-It Self Storage, you’re choosing a trusted facility with a reputation for exceptional customer service and security. We’re here to help you find the best storage options for your needs, and our knowledgeable staff is always available to answer your questions. Call us at (413) 729-3267 or fill out our contact form to learn how we can assist with your winter storage needs.