Are you finding the best solution to storing clothes for the long run or even for a short period? Not to worry, this article will tell you all you need to know on how to store clothes in a storage unit. Continue reading till the end for more information.
What is a Storage Unit?
Storage Units are large warehouse-like spaces that tenants can rent to store all of their belongings in it.
Most of the time, rents are determined on a monthly basis, and they can be used for a lot of things. People store their belongings inside units for situations like moving, decluttering, home renovations, and such.
What to Look for in a Storage Unit?
Selecting a Storage unit is not as easy as you may think it is. There are a lot of factors to consider, which means you need to plan it all out and contemplate it more than once. Here are some of the factors you should consider before renting a storage unit.
Size
When looking for a suitable storage unit, the first thing you need to consider is size. You would want a unit where you can store a lot of things.
Find out what the square meter of the unit is and how high its ceiling is. For a more specific visualization, list everything you want to store in your storage unit.
Safety
You need to make sure that you choose a facility with insurance for all of the items inside their units. This will help make people feel secure about their things.
Length of Rent Time
Another thing that you should think of already is how long you will be renting the unit. Most storage facilities rent out their units on a monthly basis, so figuring out how long you’ll want to use it can help you find the best deal possible in the market today.
Location
Finding the best location for your storage unit is essential, especially if you need to consider accessibility. If you want to find a place where you can store your clothes and regularly access them, it’s better to get one that’s close to your area.
Location can also play a significant role in the unit’s pricing since most storage units found outside of urban areas are generally cheaper.
Cost
No matter what you are buying or renting, the cost will always be a factor that you should consider. There are some cost-cutting options, but would you settle for that?
For example, you can get a large unit outside urban areas or a small unit near your urban area for the same price. Make sure to think twice, especially about what you are willing to sacrifice and how much your budget is.
What are the Best Clothes Containers for Storing
After choosing a storage unit to store your clothes, you need to choose which type of container you should use. There are three suitable storage containers for clothes which will be explained in this section. This part aims to help you decide which one is best to use.
Plastic Storage Bins
The first type of storage container is the plastic storage bin. It’s the most basic type of storage container. This storage is an excellent option because it is airtight, which will keep any moisture out and prevent the build-up of molds and mildew.
Some people tend to put silica gel packets inside the containers for precautionary measures to ensure there isn’t any moisture inside them. You can also add a single dryer sheet on top of the clothes to make them smell fresh while being kept.
Another benefit you can get from using plastic bins is storing many different items in them. Read this article if you want to know what other things you can store in your plastic storage bins.
Wardrobe Boxes
If you need to store suits and dresses, the best option is to go for wardrobe boxes. These are large boxes made out of cardboard with a hanging bar near the top of them. Clothes that need to be hung can now be stored well without any problems.
You can use this for various clothes such as silkwear, dresses, pantsuits, and coats. The best way to hang clothes in it is to remove the bar first before hanging all of the clothes and returning them to their place.
Cardboard Boxes
A cardboard box is a way to go for those looking for a short-term solution to storing their clothes.
They’re a budget-friendly option for people looking to keep their clothes away for a short time only. If you are planning to store clothes for six months or live in a place with hot temperatures, you need to select another option.
How to Store Clothes in Storage Unit?
This section will tell you how to store clothes in a storage unit. Preparing and ensuring that all are set is essential to store your clothes properly. To help you in this process, here is a list of what you should do.
Wash All Clothes
Before everything else, you must make sure that all of your clothes are clean. Check each item and set aside all the dirty ones.
If you want your clothes to last long, you need to make sure they are clean. Dirty clothes can cause mold build-up and damage all of your clothes while they are stored.
Run all of your clothes in a washing machine. You can choose to hang them dry or save time by running them on the dryer. Check if they’re all dry before folding them into storage containers.
Get Rid of Unwanted Clothes
The next thing you need to do is lessen the number of clothes to be stored by getting rid of unwanted clothes. This includes clothes that don’t fit you anymore or clothes you did not wear once for the past eight months.
If you don’t feel like discarding it, you can either set up a garage sale for it, sell it online, or donate it to those who may need clothes like foster homes or organizations.
Make an Inventory
When it’s time to prepare the storage containers and your clothes, it would be best to create an inventory list for all of your items. This will help organize all your clothes and make them easy to access when you need to.
There are three ways to organize your clothes
- You can do a color scheme for every container.
- You can do labels so that you’ll know the contents of a particular container.
- You can make a detailed inventory list for each item inside a container.
Store in a Dry, Dark Place
Once you’re done sorting through, store your containers in a dark, dry place. Clothes deteriorate faster when stored in a bright area.
4 Helpful Tips on How to Store Clothes in a Storage Unit
Now that we’re near the end of this article, we’ll give you four valuable tips to help make this process easier for you.
These tips will be worth your time and will undoubtedly help you store your clothes properly in the long run if you want a visualization.
Do not vacuum seal your clothes before storing them
One of the things that you shouldn’t do when storing away clothes in a storage unit is to vacuum seal them. While it may seem like an excellent way to go since it will save a lot of space, doing so will cause permanent wrinkles and creasing in clothes.
It can also cause a quickened deterioration to your clothes because the fibers in your clothes won’t be able to breathe. It will cause more damage as time goes by.
Check the clothes regularly
If you’re planning to store your clothes in a storage unit for quite some time, you need to have a regular check on them.
This will help you determine if some clothes are deteriorating as time goes by. You can also check for molds and mildews. Damaged things should be immediately thrown out.
Use Cedar Chips to keep bugs away.
Most people store their things away with a few mothballs to keep bugs away. However, these things smell bad, and they may affect your clothes in the long run and make the smell permanent.
Instead, use cedar chips or cedar balls to keep pests away. They work as great as mothballs do, but they don’t have any harmful chemicals that can damage your clothes.
Roll the clothes and place them correctly in storage boxes
If you want to store more clothes in a container, you have the option to roll them instead of folding them.
Rolled clothes take less space than folded ones, and they can help prevent permanent creasing and marks. It’s a great option that can help preserve your clothes better in the long run.
Summary
Now that you know how to store clothes in a storage unit, you’ll be able to work efficiently and save a lot of space in your home for years to come. You would also ensure that all your clothes are well protected and preserved safely inside a trusted storage unit.
Jessica Oliver is a fashion enthusiast with more than ten years of experience in the industry. She previously managed her own clothing store in New York before becoming a mother of three. With a passion for sustainability and a desire to share clothing care and recycling tips.