As summer fades into autumn and winter, you realize that the time has come to put away your summer stuff in preparation for the cold months ahead. If you intend on reusing your summer stuff next year, be sure to store it right this year.
Summer Clothes
Before storing your summer clothes, wash them first. This will remove dirt and prevent stains from setting into the fabric. Plastic totes are a great storage item for clothes since they protect from water damage and dust. Using the army roll method will optimize space in the plastic totes. Vacuum storage bags are another great way to store clothes for the long term.
Summer Appliances
When the cold winter weather arrives, air conditioners and fans will be completely unnecessary while you’re cuddling up by a fireplace. When it’s time to unplug your fan and store it away for the winter and spring, consider storing it inside of plastic tote or a cardboard box. This prevents dust from accumulating inside of it during winter. Don’t forget to give your box fan a good cleaning before storing it.
Air conditioners need more specific conditions when being stored. Always keep them covered to prevent the accumulation of dust and dirt. Additionally, air conditioners absolutely need to be stored on a flat surface right side up. You cannot store them on their side or on their back end. Storing your air conditioner this way can ruin the compressor inside of it, making it unable to function properly when you plug it in next summer. It’s also a good idea to give the inside and outside of your air conditioning unit a thorough cleaning before placing it in storage.
Summer Sports Gear
When it’s time to put your summer sports equipment away for the next five to six months, you’ll want to make sure that the equipment is stored in a dry place and is protected from damages. Hanging nets from the ceiling of your garage is a clever way to store sports balls so that they’re out of the way and safe from damages. Other sports equipment, such as tennis rackets and hockey sticks, can be stored away using hooks or nails embedded in the wooden walls of your garage.
You’ll be tempted to store your summer things in your basement. While this is a viable option, ensure that your basement is dry so as to prevent mildew from forming on your summer items while they’re in storage.