Why You Should Spring Clean Your Storage Unit
#Personal Storage
How to Spring Clean Your Storage Unit: A Step-by-Step Guide
Spring cleaning is one of those tasks people feel good about the moment it’s done, but dread getting started. If your storage unit is part of that to-do list, you’re not alone. After a long Minnesota winter, many renters find their units are dusty, disorganized, or packed with things they no longer need.
The good news: a spring clean doesn’t have to mean an entire weekend. With a clear plan, most people can get their unit in great shape in a few hours. Here’s how to do it, step by step.
Why Spring Clean Your Storage Unit?
Spring cleaning a storage unit is worth doing for three practical reasons: it protects your belongings, helps you get more out of the space you’re paying for, and makes it easier to find things when you actually need them.
After winter, non-climate-controlled units can accumulate dust, moisture residue, and pests that worked their way in during the cold months. Seasonal renters who haven’t visited since fall may find boxes shifted, moisture damage, or items they’d forgotten entirely. A spring visit lets you catch any issues early and reset the unit for heavier warm-weather use.
Tidy Up the Place
The biggest benefit of spring cleaning is right there in the name: the cleaning! You’ll notice an overall boost in mood and productivity after straightening up your surroundings. In your storage unit, wipe down any containers, counters, or other surfaces to remove dust and dirt accumulation. If you’re renting vehicle storage, give your ride a deep clean and properly treat and prepare it as needed. This will not only improve the visual appeal of your unit but also cut down on the potential for sickness or damages to your belongings caused by filth.
Get Organized
When renting a storage unit, many people focus only on fitting everything inside and neglect the need for organization. If your unit is in disarray, take the beginning of spring as an opportunity to sort through your things and find a more structured way of storing them all. If you’re renting business storage, consolidate documents and files as much as you can. Utilizing tubs, shelves, and labels can be smart, though you must use a safe and sturdy packing material like plastic.
Cut Out the Clutter
As you organize and clean the things stored in your unit, keep an eye out for things you can remove or throw away altogether. We’re all guilty of keeping too much clutter around, especially when renting self storage. As such, it’s important to continuously evaluate what you have and assess whether it makes sense to keep it in the limited space you’re paying for. Removing unnecessary items, garbage, and other clutter will streamline your storage experience and has the chance to free up a surprising amount of space in your unit.
Swap in Seasonal Items
Cleaning out your storage unit as the seasons change can also help you adjust the décor of your home. If you frequently switch out around-the-house decorations like Christmas lights, Halloween yard ornaments, and more, it can be wise to rent a storage unit for seasonal decoration storage. In the spring, you can pull out warm-weather decorations and switch in items from the winter. When the calendar flips back around in the fall, you can make the same swap.
Get the Most Out of Your Space
In addition to the many cosmetic benefits, spring cleaning your storage unit will also optimize the space you’re renting so you can get the most bang for your buck. After you clean and organize your things, you’ll notice an instant increase in the room around your belongings. This will allow you easier access and create room for additional items. So, if you’re considering upgrading to a larger unit, give your current one a little work before making the switch. You could end up saving yourself quite a bit of money.
Do You Need a Bigger (or Smaller) Unit?
Spring cleaning is also a good time to evaluate whether your current unit size is still the right fit. If you’ve done a thorough clean and still feel cramped, it may be time to upgrade. If you removed a significant amount and the unit now feels half-empty, downsizing could save you money every month.
A typical 5×5 unit works well for a few boxes and small items. A 5×10 is a popular choice for the contents of a small room—furniture plus boxes. A 10×10 handles a one-bedroom apartment’s worth of belongings comfortably. Use our unit size guide to see what fits, or call us and we’ll walk you through the options at your nearest Acorn location.
Spring Clean, Then Store Smarter With Acorn Mini Storage
If you’re searching for a new place to put your extra things, rent with Acorn Mini Storage. We offer affordable self-storage units in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area with convenient locations both inside the city and in suburbs like Bloomington, Champlin and Cottage Grove. These units are available in a wide range of sizes and come equipped with several different amenities like climate-controlled storage and drive-up accessibility. Whatever your needs may be, we’ve got you covered.
Check out our unit size guide to get a better idea of how much space you need. For more information, you can explore our storage tips page and FAQ. Once you’re ready, find the closest Minnesota storage facility to you to get started today!
