Cleaning out a storage unit can be a significant undertaking, especially if it’s been a while since you last sorted through the contents. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to tackle this task efficiently:
- Plan Ahead
- Set a Date: Choose a specific day or weekend to clean out your unit, and if necessary, recruit friends or family to help.
- Gather Supplies: Bring along cleaning supplies such as brooms, dustpans, trash bags, boxes, markers, and gloves.
- Organize Your Approach
- Inventory: Make an inventory of your unit’s contents. This can be a simple list or a detailed spreadsheet, depending on the complexity.
- Zone Your Unit: Divide your storage unit into sections and tackle one section at a time.
- Sort Items
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- Categorize: Sort items into categories such as keep, sell, donate, and trash.
- Decision Making: Be decisive. If you haven’t used an item in a year or more, consider if it’s worth keeping.
- Clean As You Go
- Dust and Sweep: Clean items as you remove them. Dust off boxes and sweep out the unit.
- Wipe Down: Use disinfectant wipes or spray to clean any items that will be moved to your home or another storage area.
- Dispose of Unwanted Items
- Trash: Discard broken or worthless items immediately into trash bags.
- Donate: Set aside items to donate and drop them off at a donation center. Some organizations may even pick up.
- Sell: For items of value you no longer need, consider selling them online or through a garage sale.
- Pack Smartly
- Label: Clearly label boxes with their contents and destination (e.g., home, donation center, another storage unit).
- Protect: Use bubble wrap or newspapers to protect fragile items during transport.
- Deal with Documents
- Shred: Confidential documents should be shredded to protect your privacy.
- Digitalize: Consider scanning important documents and storing them digitally to save space.
- Final Cleaning
- Deep Clean: Once the unit is empty, do a final cleaning. Sweep and mop the floor, and wipe down the walls if necessary.
- Inspection: Do a final inspection to make sure nothing is left behind.
- Update Your Inventory
- Documentation: Update your inventory list to reflect what you have removed or added to the storage unit.
- Photographs: Take photos of items that remain for insurance purposes.
- Arrange for Transport
- Rental Truck: If you have large items, you may need to rent a truck or hire a moving service.
- Schedule Pickups: If you have arranged for donations to be picked up, confirm the pickup time and location.
- Review Your Storage Needs
- Assess: After clearing out the unit, assess whether you need to rent a smaller unit or if you can eliminate the expense altogether.
- Downsize: If you need less space, consider transferring to a smaller, less expensive unit.
By following these steps, you can clean out your storage unit in an organized and efficient manner, potentially saving money and reducing clutter in the long run. Remember to take breaks, stay hydrated, and reward yourself after a job well done.
This post was written by a professional at Greenbar Storage. Greenbar Storage has a wide range of storage units available in Prineville, Oregon. They offer a variety, including ground-level access, security cameras, 24/7 accessibility, and parking spaces. Locally owned and operated, we are the best choice for convenient and clean storage solutions in the Prineville, Oregon region. All of our commercial storage clients accept deliveries from businesses. Click here to learn more!
