Basements tend to be the place where people keep their unused household items and valuables. However, it can be hard to maintain your belongings in optimum condition in a basement. Basements are often damp environments and the moisture could damage your stored items.
One solution to this is to store heirlooms, expensive items, and unused appliances in a self-storage unit. Storage facilities have many amenities to keep your valuables well-maintained and secured.
Planning
Like most projects, some planning is needed to organize your belongings. Here are some steps.
You need to assess your items to be able to determine how to deal with them. There are two things that you need to do before decluttering: purge and clean. Sort out the items that you are ought to discard or donate. Clean the rest of your haul in preparation for storage.
Some of the items typically stored in the basement include:
- Holiday decorations and ornaments
- Unused Furniture
- Sports Equipment
- Camping Gear
- Seasonal Items
- Tools
Evaluate every item stored in your basement or unit.
- For items in good condition but which don’t have real value, consider donating to those in need.
- If you haven’t used an item for a long time, is there some time in the future when you will need it? Otherwise, discard the item or donate it.
- Consider how frequently you will want access to the item.
Items Not Suitable for Basement Storage
When you are storing items in your basement, you should consider the risk attached to it. Using your basement as storage can damage your belongings, especially if you are in an area prone to flooding. It can dampen your items or, worse, breed pests and mildew.
There can be temperature and moisture issues in a basement, so it is best not to keep the following there:
- Papers, including newspapers, books, bills, and other significant records
- Photographs and other memorabilia
- Items made of cardboard, including cardboard boxes, boxed food, etc
- Metals that are prone to rust
- Fabrics such as clothes, curtains, bedding, etc., as when storing these items in a damp and humid space, they can develop mildew and musty odor.
Once you’ve decided what to keep at your home and what to store, the next thing to do is pack the items going to storage. Check here for some tips on packing.
Self-storage is just what you need to keep clutter away from your home. If you’re looking for storage units in Austin, TX, Lone Star Self Storage is your best bet. Our storage units are available in various sizes and with useful features to promote convenience. We offer the necessary amenities like climate-control, spacious rooms, and 24/7 security. Reserve a storage unit and contact us today!
