Smart Tips for Storing Your Camping Gear!

Camping during the summer is a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors. However, what do you do with all of the gear in-between camping trips or when the summer is over?

Camping gear can take up a lot of space in your house or apartment so organizing it can save a lot of time and money. You don’t want to wait until the last minute and realize you don’t have what you need, or it was ruined because of improper storage.

Keeping It Clean

Dirt and moisture can cause your gear to rust or deteriorate over time. You should wipe your sleeping bag, tent, and tent poles with a damp rag to remove excess dirt. If it’s extra dirty you can hose it down but make sure it is completely dry before storing it. Remember, water can cause mildew. This will cause a breakdown in the fibers in a tent. Don’t forget jackets, boots and other clothing should also be cleaned properly before you hang them up for the season.

Using Containers

Large plastic storage containers are a great way to keep your gear safe during the offseason. Get a few large ones and store all your clean and dry items inside. Keep your tent and sleeping bags loose in one and your cooking utensils and gadgets in another. When the next camping trip rolls around you are all set to go! Just grab the containers and you won’t have much to prepare before your next outdoor adventure.

Keeping It Safe

We all have a few creature comforts that make camping a little easier but electronics that aren’t used often can breakdown or corrode. Make sure batteries are removed from all flashlights and radios. Try and keep the batteries in a plastic bag or use them elsewhere in your home. It’s a good idea to wipe down any electronics to remove dirt and store in a dry container.

Keep It Simple

Of course, we want to bring everything and the kitchen sink when we go camping, but the whole point is to be with nature and go without the extras for a few days. The less you bring camping with you, the less you need to store! But it can’t go without your solar powered camping grill or your portable shower, you might want to consider getting a climate controlled unit will ensure your camping gear is kept safe and dry, unlike a damp basement or moldy garage.

Follow our tips, and you’ll have nothing but happy trails and serene, starry nights in the wilderness from here on out.

STORING YOUR COUCH

One of the most common household items is your couch. They’re in most living rooms across the country and around the world. In a variety of shapes, styles, and sizes, these pieces can really pull together a room. Here are a few tips on making sure your couch is protected.

 Clean and Prep Storage

The first step will be to get your couch ready for storage, and this means giving it a proper clean. Regardless of its term in storage, a cleaning helps improve the likelihood that your couch will preserve itself well against threats of mold, mildew. Incorrect cleaning methods can ruin the look and feel of your item indefinitely, so it’s important to get it right.

Once you’ve identified the material type, keep the following tips in mind.

• Leather: Dust and clean with soap and water. Should you find existing stains already on the piece, cleanse further with a mix of water and white vinegar.
• Cotton: Dust and clean with water and bleach-free detergent. Spot clean hard-to-tackle areas further with a mix of water and white vinegar.
• Linen: Find a cleanser that notes specific use for linens, and be sure to consult your couch’s care tag. This will give you your best chance at treating it right.
• Wool: Read the label attached to your couch for care instructions. Wool is commonly cleaned with water, solvent or a combination of the two.
• Silk: Be extra careful with this material, as it’s easy to leave unintentional marks. Test possible cleaning options on small areas to be sure desired results occur. Clean with cold water and mild detergent solution, or consider consulting a professional.
• After cleaning, cover with a secure, breathable couch cover.

Invest in Furniture Sliders, and Move with Ease

If the thought of moving a couch yourself is enough to pick up the phone and call a mover, consider furniture sliders. Trust us, these things are like magic!

Simply slide them under couch legs and push. They allow heavy pieces to glide.

Give it Room to Breathe in Storage

Within your unit, store your couch the same as you would in your home. Keep it free from debris, and avoid propping it upright. Layering with boxes or standing a couch up in a fashion it is not used to can put undue stress and strain on it.

Instead give it air, and the space to be on its own.

 Control Climate Conditions

When storing furniture, protection from the elements is paramount. Consider all of your options before choosing a storage space. If you’re serious about maintaining your furniture in storage, you might want a climate-controlled storage unit. Climate control will ensure your valuable furniture pieces stay safe from moisture and changing temperatures.

HOW TO PROTECT FURNITURE IN STORAGE

How do you protect furniture in storage? Easy. You take the time to store it correctly. But let’s be realistic, ensuring that furniture stays in great condition will take a little bit of work. With these furniture storage tips, you’ll be able to protect any furniture piece, regardless of its material — from tables and desks to chairs and couches, whether they are priceless family heirlooms or inexpensive bed sets. Keep reading to learn how to store furniture in a storage unit, whether or not that space is climate controlled.

1.    Know your storage options.

Putting furniture in storage can be a costly decision. Do you keep it for the long term or do you sell the furniture? The average cost of a storage unit varies, but in many cases, choosing storage to store furniture makes sense if you’re in the middle of a move or going through a transitional time. When storing furniture, protection from the elements is the key. Consider all of your options before choosing a storage space. If you’re serious about maintaining this furniture in storage over the long haul, you might want a climate controlled storage unit. Climate control units will ensure your valuable furniture pieces stay safe from moisture and changing NC temperatures (our units are temperature and humidity controlled). Items like wooden furniture, musical instruments, antiques, and leather sofas or ones with delicate fabrics will do best in this type of unit. However, there are steps you can take to protect furniture even if climate control isn’t an option. Making sure everything is clean, dry and well protected is essential.

2.    Clean everything thoroughly.

Protect furniture in storage by never putting dirty items inside. Not only will offensive odors travel to nearby units, but cleaning will also significantly cut down on the chance of mold and the amount of dust in your storage space.

With wooden or plastic furniture, use a mild soap and water. For wooden pieces specifically, and especially antiques, use a wood cleaner to protect the existing finish on the wood.

Be sure to also clean fabric items like couches or seat cushions with fabric or upholstery cleaner. Check that everything is completely dry before you start packing it up.

3.    Wrap furniture for long-term storage.

Make sure everything is completely covered.  Before putting anything inside your storage space, lay down thick plastic sheeting on the floor to prevent moisture from the floor from seeping into your furniture. This step is especially important if you are not in a climate-controlled space.  Use old sheets, blankets, drop cloths or plastic wrap to cover the pieces and protect them from dust and moisture. Take care not to wrap furniture with thick plastic covers that will seal in moisture because that can create condensation.  Wrap furniture so that it can breathe by loosely.

4.    Raise furniture off the concrete floor.

Whenever you’re storing furniture without climate control, avoid putting furniture pieces or anything that could be ruined directly on the floor. By raising your items off the floor, you add an extra layer of protection against flooding. Even a layer of cardboard or a drop cloth is better than nothing.

5.    Don’t leave food.

We can’t stress this enough! Whether you’re storing furniture long term or for a few months, never leave anything perishable in your storage facility that may attract bugs or unwanted critters. While storage facilities are treated with pest control regularly, you can never be too careful.

Make sure there is always an aisle to access the back of your unit. Try to keep your storage space clean and decluttered to protect furniture and other contents.  Storing furniture in a storage unit doesn’t need to be complicated or stressful. One of the biggest mistakes people make is either spending too much on too large of a unit or not purchasing one that’s large enough.  Call or come by and one of our trained staff members will be glad to help you determine to right the right amount of space you need.