With the spring season back in full swing, it’s time to put away winter household goods and embrace the spring season. After all, who wants to think about more snow after digging out from the effects of a cold winter, right? And while the answer to that question will differ depending on how much of winter’s impact you personally experienced, one fact remains the same, spring is here.

If you’re wondering where to begin, or how to tackle it all, consider creating a storage plan so that when next winter comes, you can unpack your winter household goods with a little more clarity about what goes where.

A good storage plan always involves five things: an inventory list, a place to store your items, great packaging, detailed labeling, and easy retrieval.  With those five factors in place, you’re well on your way to creating a storage plan that will work great for all of your storage needs.

Inventory List
Having an inventory list is a great way to organize your winter storage plan. Since most of the items you will be storing will not be used until next winter, it’s a good idea to make sure you write down what you are storing away to avoid buying items you already have. Having an inventory list also protects you in the event anything happens to your items while they are stored away so that you can give an accurate assessment and recollection of what is stored.

Where to Store
While it’s ideal to store your winter household goods right in the comfort of your home, it can sometimes lead the way to clutter. To prevent that from happening, one of the best places to store your items is in a storage unit. With several options to choose from, the key point to remember is that your storage unit should be large enough to store all of the items you need. If you know that most of your items are delicate in nature, and have the potential to break or crack under certain conditions, it might be a good idea to choose a temperature controlled storage method. This will help you to avoid damage from temperature changes that occur throughout the year. Portable storage containers work great because you can store them at home or at a storage facility, depending on which option is most convenient. Either way, you get more storage space and a place to store your household goods.

Packaging
Preparing your winter household goods for storage is important because they will be stored over the course of several months. Be sure to wrap and seal items such as coats or clothes so that no pests or insects will damage your clothing.  Place a protective cover over your ski equipment, snow blowers and other winter items to avoid any bending or damage.

Detailed Labeling
Labeling your storage items well will help you find items a lot easier next winter. A good tip is to add labels to your items since marker can be sometimes hard to see or even rub off and smear. Be sure to designate at least a couple of key items in the box, especially if it contains a lot of miscellaneous household goods. This will allow you to recall what types of items are in the box and keep your storage unit organized.

Easy Retrieval
How you place your winter household goods inside of your storage unit, can also make a difference in how well you are able to retrieve your items the next time you need them. Try to keep a safe, clear path within your storage unit, and avoid storing items in disorganized piles. Keep items that you will use sooner, closer to the front of your unit, and other items near the back so that you can have easier and faster retrieval of the items you need.