How to Properly Clean a Storage Unit: A Step-By-Step Guide

Posted by: satelliteselfstorage on December 2, 2022

Quality storage facilities are clean and maintained, but you can still benefit from cleaning your storage unit every year. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you clean your storage unit properly.

Step 1: Prepare What You Need to Efficiently Clean Your Storage Unit

Ensuring you clean your unit properly means preparing your tools so that you have everything you need. Consider taking the following:

Containers: Plastic containers are a great way to organize and store items and can help with future cleaning sessions.
Shelving: Taking shelving along can help you organize your belongings, making dusting simple.
New covers: If you are covering any furniture or other objects in your unit, bring clean covers to save time cleaning.
Vacuum: If you have any upholstered items or carpets in your unit, remember your vacuum.
Bucket, mop, all-purpose cleaner, rags and duster: Remember to take any cleaning utensils you may need.

Step 2: Take All Items Out to Clean the Storage Unit

Once you are at your storage unit, remove all your belongings and put them at the entrance. This step allows you to air your unit out and gives you space to properly clean, dust, mop and wipe down the interior.

Step 3: Evaluate Your Items and See If There’s Anything to Donate

Before you start cleaning your things outside your unit, quickly check if there is anything you can donate to charity or no longer need — set these objects aside.

While checking your possessions, make a quick inventory list — this way, you’ll have a record at home reminding you of what is in storage. Also, note the date to remember when it’s time for your next clean.

Step 4: Clean the Remaining Items Outside Your Storage Unit

Use the cleaning utensils you brought to wipe, dust and vacuum your belongings before packing them back up.

Step 5: Organize Your Unit to Make Cleaning and Maintaining it Easier

Organizing your storage unit will help you with any future cleaning efforts. To arrange your unit:

Cover your items: Protect furniture and similar objects with clean covers.
Use containers: Pack smaller goods in plastic containers. These storage solutions protect your belongings from dust and make stacking and organizing easier.
Label your boxes: Adding labels to your containers helps you find things quickly and streamlines future cleaning endeavors.
Arrange your items: Pack the things you most often need in the front. When cleaning time comes around again, you’ll have a neat space to work with.

Bonus Tips When Cleaning Your Storage Unit

Sometimes storage units can become slightly musty — especially if you don’t need to visit them frequently. To avoid this, air your unit regularly and leave scented diffuser sticks inside. The next time you visit, you will be greeted with a pleasant fragrance.

Cleaning your unit properly at least once or twice a year will help prevent any odors and ensure your items are dust free. Be sure to bookmark this guide, so you always have this list handy!

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Get in touch and learn more about our facilities today.