Don’t leave your patio furniture outside all winter long. Instead, follow these winter storage tips to keep your unused items in good condition throughout the cold weather.
Winter storage is tricky because there are so many items that need to be put away and most people are somewhat limited on space. You’ll also need to factor in what special care might be necessary for mechanical items like cars and lawnmowers to make it through the winter.
We’ve created a quick how-to guide for storing some common summer items that will help you know what to do regardless of what you need to store.
No matter what you’re storing this winter, follow these next steps. When storing more specific items like grills and lawnmowers that require special care, keep scrolling for our recommendations.
- Decide What’s Worth Keeping
As you take inventory of the items you’d like to store, first decide what’s worth keeping and what should be donated or tossed. If an item is broken, torn, cracked, or hopelessly rusted, throw it away. If it’s just dirty, faded, or a little rusty, decide whether you want to invest the time to clean it, paint it, or reupholster it. Donate it if the answer is no, and add it to your list to store if the answer is yes.
- Clean Everything Thoroughly
The easiest way to avoid degradation and damage of items in winter storage? Always take extra care to thoroughly clean each item and store it correctly.
- Figure Out Where You’ll Store Your Items
Sometimes summer items can be stored in your garage for the winter. However, if you need to make room for your cars and snowblower, renting a storage unit temporarily might be your best option.
- Make Sure to Protect Belongings
So long as they’re covered properly, some items can be left outside. However, even if you’re storing indoors, make sure to utilize furniture covers and blankets to keep things dust-free and protect them from dents, dings and tears. When necessary, opt for Temperature controlled storage to protect from the elements.
Packing Tip: Stow your stuff in proper order, starting with heavy pieces on the bottom and stacking lighter things on top, with furniture blankets in between for extra protection.
ABOUT PROVIDENCE SELF STORAGE
Providence Self Storage is a family owned and operated self-storage and truck rental business. Our facility was built on a tract of property that was family held since 1934, and we are the third generation owners.
We offer a safe, clean, and well maintained facility which is fully fenced, gated and under twenty-four-hour video surveillance. Our facility provides standard drive-up units from 5×5 to 15×40 as well as temperature controlled units from 5×5 to 10×20, all located on one floor for easy access. We are also an agent for Penske, the industry leader in rental trucks.
When you contact Providence Self Storage, you are dealing with one of the facility owners, not an employee which you are likely to find in one of the big box storage companies.
We provide a solution for your personal and business storage situations, as well as rental truck needs and moving and packing supplies.
Our facility is conveniently located minutes from the Oaks Exit of Route 422 in Upper Providence Township, serving Phoenixville, Oaks, Mont Clare, Collegeville and surrounding areas of Montgomery and Chester counties, in SE Pennsylvania.