Winter is here, and after last week’s post about making room in the garage for your car, we thought we’d offer up some further advice about winter storage. As mentioned, one of the best winter storage solutions is a storage unit – but if you don’t really take the time to prep your belongings before storage that weatherproofed unit may not be enough!
Check out this helpful list of tips to help you prepare the various items you might just be storing over the long winter months. Whether you are storing a vintage car that hasn’t seen snow in years, or just some summer patio furniture, there are certain things to consider – don’t just cart it in and forget it!
Vehicle storage – Start with a thorough clean, inside and out – this means vacuuming too to prevent the risk of critters making a nice cozy home out of those seats. Preserve the battery, prepare the fuel system and refresh the fluids if required. Consider a car cover as well to keep the dust at bay – just make sure the cover is as clean as the car!
Lawnmower and other lawn maintenance machinery/tools – Firstly, clean all garden tools well before storage – the fluid left by cut grass, for example, can be quite corrosive, and so ensuring all of this is removed can help the machine retain its usage for much longer. Empty any gas left in the tank as well, as this can cause problems when attempting to start it in the spring. Make sure that machine is dry before storage to prevent rust.
Patio furniture – Like with vehicles and lawn care machines, patio furniture needs to be thoroughly cleaned before storage. Dirt and grime is significantly more difficult to remove once it has had time to settle in. Also, make sure all furniture is completely dry – mould can develop very quickly, and whether your furniture is plastic or you are also storing fabric cushions, umbrellas, etc., mould can necessitate the purchasing of new items come summer if you don’t prep beforehand.
Really, no matter what you store in your unit, make sure that you prep it well before closing that storage unit door. Clean, dry items will last far longer. Wrap any items that are fragile (pots for plants), label any boxes well, and make sure to have a plan for the layout of your unit to make retrieval easy.
For more winter storage solutions and tips please call Personal Vault Self Storage today at (905) 853-9898. We’ve got all your winter storage needs covered!
