Many people rent a storage unit in order to have more usable space at home. While your belongings may be hidden away in an off-site storage unit, like anything that sits still for long periods of time, they may begin to collect dust. Dust happens and is normal to find in your storage unit when you visit for the first time in a while. Fortunately, we’ve gathered together great tips for keeping your storage unit clean.
Tips for Keeping Your Storage Unit Clean
No matter what, you will likely see some dust accumulate on your items. Don’t worry, some dust won’t ruin things, but you will want to be careful with clothes and linens. At Security Public Storage, we recommend regular visits to your storage unit in order to check on your belongings and to stay on top of dust removal.
- Clean Your Items — Before moving into your storage unit, clean your items. Adding items that are already dusty or dirty to your storage unit can leave you with dirty items and possible bad smells in the future.
Store Items in Plastic Bins — Plastic containers are great for protecting your belongings while they are in self storage. The container itself provides an additional barrier to dust inside of a storage unit. - Cover Large Items — Covering your larger items, like furniture and home electronics, helps minimize dust and helps protect them from damage. You can use a sheet, but a waterproof tarp would be the best option.
- Avoid Storing Items on the Floor — Protect your belongings against unforeseen damage by storing them on shelves. Storing your items on shelves or pallets prevents them from touching the floor, providing an extra layer of protection while also promoting maximum air circulation.
- Don’t Store Perishable Items — We’ve blogged before about items you shouldn’t store in your unit, but this point definitely deserves some reinforcement. Food can attract pests and leave an odor. Don’t store perishable food items in your storage unit; even items sealed or canned can still attract persistent pests.
- Visit Your Storage Unit Regularly — While it may be tempting to load your storage unit and never return until you need to retrieve something, we highly recommend visiting your unit regularly. When you arrive at your storage unit, wipe down your items to prevent dust buildup over time.
- Bring Cleaning Supplies From Home — Knowing there will likely be dust when arriving at your storage unit, it’s smart to keep cleaning products in the car or easily acccesible so you can remember to bring them when you visit your storage unit. Keeping wipes, cleaning sprays and cloths on-hand will make it easier to remember to clean when you get there, but please note cleaning supplies shouldn’t be stored inside your unit.
- Air Out Your Storage Unit — If you have a storage unit that opens to the outdoors, open the door and let fresh air into the space. Even if your storage unit doesn’t open to the outdoors, keeping the door open while visiting can allow for some air circulation and help eliminate dusty smells.
- Evaluate Contents of Your Storage Unit — When you first rent a storage unit, it may seem spacious, but over time can fill up and be more difficult to navigate and keep clean. Before adding new items, evaluate what’s already inside. Donate old things you may not need, bring home things you will need, and/or recycle or discard items that can’t be donated.
- Reorganize for a Cleaner Layout — After evaluating what stays in your storage unit, consider a reorganization. You may notice that the initial spot you placed certain items tends to be dustier than others. Reorganizing your storage unit can help you take better advantage of the space and keep it clean.
Keep Your Belongings in Good Condition
You rented a storage unit in order to keep your belongings safe and in good condition. At SPS, we’re proud to provide you Self Storage With a Difference™, including tips to make your storage experience the best possible. Dust and dirt can’t be avoided completely, but regular visits to your storage unit can help you protect your belongings. Cleaning and reorganizing your storage unit can bring you peace of mind while your items are in storage.
SPS has self-storage facilities throughout the West Coast and in the Washington DC metro area. Find an available storage unit rental at the facility nearest you.