Storing in Cooler Temperatures

Winter is quickly approaching, are you ready? Here are 5 ways to prepare your stored belongings in colder weather. Don’t let winter’s weather sneak up on you before you’re done winterizing everything!

1. Is there anything with a higher risk for damage from the cold? Items such as fragile antiques and items that have liquids or chemicals in them such as batteries have a higher chance of damage. The cold air can make glass and even some plastics very brittle. Wrap them up in a lot of newspaper for insulation.
2. Consider renting a temperature controlled storage unit for peace of mind during the winter months if available. A stable temperature helps preserve all of your belongings for many years to come.
3. Not only do packing peanuts prove to be a fantastic cushioning device for your valuables but also a fantastic insulator for objects more affected by the cold air. There are several types of materials the peanuts can be made of so keep that in mind when choosing what kind to purchase. Cornstarch peanuts are biodegradable, use caution if you are planning on using these as water will decompose these very quickly into a puddle of mush especially during the spring thaw. The best packing peanuts to use are the ones made of polystyrene. They take literally hundreds of years to decompose and will not melt into a puddle on contact with water. These peanuts are so good at insulating, people have actually insulated their house with them!
4. Be careful storing canned food items and sodas in storage over the winter months as it is not uncommon that some cans will burst open and spill everywhere. Cans that have burst open previously can be a major health hazard if consumed. Inspect all cans when ready for use. A trick that works great for storing cans of various foods and liquids is using an unplugged refrigerator. It can actually insulate those items from freezing temperatures.
5. As temperatures begin to plunge it’s time to prepare your summer clothes for storage. Storage units provide an excellent opportunity to save some space in your home. When preparing your clothes for storage, make sure each item is washed and clean before. Stains will become permanent over time. Store clothes in a plastic bin. Pack them in tight so no air can circulate. A good trick to make you clothes smell good when you need them again is to put a drier sheet in each container. Make sure no moisture is present in your plastic bins and in your clothes from washing. A great storage idea is packing your clothes in a space saver bag. They remove a significant amount of air and reduce the space that the clothes take up. It’s a good idea to keep cedar blocks in each container as well to rid your clothes of moths that eat fabric.

Start storing in cooler temperatures and enjoy all the season has to offer.