Springtime means sunshine, blooming flowers, baseball…..and oh, yes, spring cleaning! With the season changing and a new energy, this is the perfect time to clean and organize around the house or start those remodeling projects you have been putting off over winter. Time to declutter and put a few things in self-storage until the next season or just to clear out some much-needed space.
It sure is easier to clean the house when it is organized and clutter is out of the way. Place furniture that is not needed in storage and box up items such as books, files, picture frames, etc., that you are not using. Perhaps one of your rooms is now being used for exercise equipment or office space, but you don’t want to get rid of your bedroom furniture. You can place that furniture in storage and free of the space at home. Here are some further, spring cleaning storage tips to help you get organized!
PLACE SEASONAL ITEMS INTO STORAGE
Over the winter, spaces such as closets can really collect a lot of stuff and could use a good cleaning. Pack up bulky winter coats and cold weather clothing to move to a climate-controlled storage unit. And, while you are going through all your clothes to put in storage during this spring cleaning, it’s a perfect time to wash or dry clean, mend minor tears, and sew on missing buttons. To keep clothes looking good and for easy transfer to your storage unit, use a wardrobe box with a hanging rod.
CLEAN OUT AND ORGANIZE GARAGE
Over the winter, the garage becomes the collector of all things without a place to put them! With the warmer weather, Spring is a wonderful time to sort through all the boxes and discover what is not needed. Clean and organize garden tools and the lawn mower and place in storage tools you don’t want to discard but are not needed. It’s a good idea to take everything out of the garage and sweep the floor. This would also be a good time to wash down the garage floor to rid of any excess oil and fluids that may have leaked from vehicles or lawn mowers over the winter. Consider tossing out anything you are no longer using and donate items that could be of use to others. If you don’t already have in place, get hooks and racks to maximize the garage vertical and ceiling space available. This is particularly useful for storing bikes, lawn tools, and lawn chair. Consider install pegboards for storing smaller tools and other items.
SMOKE DETECTORS
These are very important fixtures in the home but also ones we tend to forget about. It is a good idea to replace smoke detector batteries twice a year. While you are cleaning and organizing around the house, replace the batteries in all your smoke detectors. If you do not have any in your home, this would be a good time to install some throughout the house. Be sure to wipe away any dust on the detectors. The same goes for carbon monoxide detectors if those are present in your home.
ATTIC CLEANING
It may seem a daunting task, but take everything out of the attic and give the space a good cleaning. Sweep the floors, dust the ceiling, and clean windows if you have them. There is a good chance this is where you store your holiday decorations. You might consider moving those to a storage unit to help free up some attic space and to make it convenient for you to retrieve for the next holiday season. Donate what you decide not to keep.
INSIDE DEEP CLEANING
Work one room at a time and clean and organize from top to bottom:
- Remove items from shelves and countertops and wash thoroughly using appropriate cleaning solutions. Wipe down all the items to be placed back on the surfaces and toss all those that have long been taking up space. This is as great time to go through all the file folders and papers stacked up and place important documents in self-storage and recycle unnecessary paper products. Shred all documents that displays personal information.
- Ever wonder just what it looks like behind your refrigerator and stove. If possible, pull the units away from the wall and wipe or dust the sides and floor and wall for any liquid spills and dust that has collected over time. For those very difficult to get to places, remember that the vacuum can’t reach everywhere, so be sure to get those places with a broom. Wipe down air vents and get the dirt in window, French door, or door wall tracks. Use a soft rag to wipe down crown moldings and window frames.
- With Spring comes sunshine! And, sunshine is good for cleaning. Take your mattresses and lay outside on a tarp or other barrier to allow the sun’s ultraviolet light help eliminate any microscopic pests. This is a great time to do a thorough steam cleaning of the mattress to give it some freshness!
- There is no time like the present of fix all those nicks and dings to furniture and anything that is in disrepair. Whatever tools you may need for such repairs can then be placed in self-storage until the next season. This can help with space as well as being a safety precaution for children by not having such tools accessible if not needed.
OUTSIDE DEEP CLEANING
We have put this off all winter, but now that Spring has arrived, it is time for some serious cleaning outside the house. Take a look at the eaves and exterior sides of the house to inspect for cracks and pests.
- Renting a power washer to clean exterior brick and siding is a great idea to give your home a fresh clean look after the long winter.
- Check the corners and eaves and out of the way places to remove wasp nests, spider webs, dirt dauber nests, and more. It is best to use a garden hose or power sprayer to remove any residue left from these nests.
- Trim tree limbs that might be up against your roof or siding that could cause damage to the home. Use your lawn trimmer to manicure flower beds. If you are storing your garden tools in the garage, place them in a trash barrel or put them in your self-storage unit.
SELF STORAGE UNITS ARE FOR SPRING CLEANING!
Self-storage units help you feel clutter-free at your home! Now that you have gone through the interior and exterior of your home, and the garage, with a deep cleaning, we can safely store all the items you have removed from the home. You have organized your home, and when you bring all those extra items to your self-storage unit, be sure to organize them in the same way that you will retrieve them for the next season!
We are your Spring Cleaning storage solution! Find a convenient location in north Texas near you!