Football, the State Fair, Pumpkin Spice EVERYTHING…There’s no mistaking the signs — fall is here. As you begin autumnal planning and packing, we have advice on what to store, how to store summer items and ways to keep your storage spaces organized.

First Evaluate Your Summer Gear

Inspect your summer gear and decide what’s worth hanging on to during the winter months. Summer toys that your child will out-grow, like plastic bats and sand toys, are good examples of items that you might want to give to Good Will or toss.  Patio furniture, gardening equipment and summer toys are good examples of things you would want to store.

Make the Transition

Rather than having seasonal items taking up precious space in your garage, take a day to prepare them and move them into your storage unit. When it warms up again in the spring, they’ll be clean and ready to use.

Patio Furniture:

Although most patio furniture claims to be weatherproof, this isn’t always true. The best ways to protect your patio furniture during the winter months is to store it. The key to storing patio furniture is cleaning it first. About.com shares that “most outdoor furniture can be cleaned with mild soap and water,” and an application of car wax can be used to protect frames.”   Properly cleaning and storing pillows, chairs and furniture will avoid mold and mildew issues. For aluminum, vinyl and plastic, simply use hot water, soap and a sponge. For wood, never use soap. Just use water and a little oil soap. For canvas, grab some upholstery cleaner and get scrubbing.

Lawn & Garden Equipment:

Make sure your lawn and garden equipment are clean before placing them in your storage unit, too. Dirt and grime left behind can attract critters and vermin. Also, drain all fluids from lawn mowers, weed cutters and other outdoor machinery before storing. Disconnect the batteries of power equipment to avoid drainage of power and store them in a cool, dry place within your storage unit.

Toys & Sports Equipment:

Although your toys and equipment seem small, they can take up valuable space inside closets and the garage. By having a designated storage space, these items can be easily found when needed. Storing these items also protects them for next summer.  Items you might store include: Water Sports (tubing, kayaking, or jet skiing), Bikes, Water Toys (sprinklers, slip and slides, pool toys and water tables), Balls, Bats and Frisbees.

Do you have any other summer to fall transition tips? If you have any questions about storing seasonal items, don’t hesitate to ask a BTA staff member! We’re here to help you get the most out of your storage unit.