The time between fun summer days and cold winter nights can speed by if you’re not careful. Before you know it, your backyard is full of frozen-over inflatable pool toys (we’re looking at you, Mr. Dragon) as your lawn equipment rusts over and you realize you live in Texas with its unpredictable weather and short autumn season.
Put simply, the time to store and organize warm-weather gear is now, not in the middle of winter. If you’re looking to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of your storage prep, these tips are for you.
Tip #1: Start with Heavier Items
Whether you’re using a portable storage container to keep your summer items protected or another space on your property (e.g., shed, garage, attic, closets, etc.), make sure you start with the heaviest items. For one, these items need to go in the back of wherever you’re storing them. Secondly, you might not have the energy to move them if you save them for last. Examples include patio furniture, lawn equipment and large inflatables.
Tip #2: Purge What You Can
Some warm-weather items aren’t worth keeping, such as cheap pools that have been pooling water/bacteria, inflatables that have rips and anything with rusted metal. Go through all your items and decide what you want to keep, donate or get rid of (even if it’s in good condition). Just make sure you have enough storage space for all your summer belongings.
Tip #3: Clean and Sanitize
This will go a long way toward protecting your items during the cold weather. By removing dirt, grime and bacteria, your items will be less likely to be degraded and damaged over time. This especially applies to lawn equipment—which can accumulate grass buildup—and swimwear, which can grow mold if not cared for.
Tip #4: Label and Organize
If you want unloading to be easier (and less frustrating) once summer rolls around again, it’s a good idea to label and organize everything. This is even more important if you have quite a few summer items, as it can get overwhelming in a hurry. Some example categories you could use for boxes and labels include backyard tools, pool gear and toys/equipment.
Tip #5: Don’t Forget Anything!
Lastly, make like Santa and check your list twice. No one wants to visit the storage facility or backyard shed in the freezing cold if they can help it. Here are a few examples of summer items that people tend to forget:
- Lawn mowers
- Grills
- Gardening tools
- Bikes
- Metal furniture
- Sports equipment
If you’re in need of winter storage advice or are interested in a portable storage container that makes it more convenient, contact 972-GET-A-SAM today.