TIPS AND TRICKS ON HOW TO STORE YOUR WINTER EQUIPMENT

Winter is almost over, and it’s time to spring-clean. There is so much junk we no longer need once it begins getting warm out. From our winter clothes and boots, to our snow tires and skis, we all know how expensive proper winter equipment can be. We don’t want to find our clothes moldy, or our sleighs rusty once it starts to get cold again, so it’s very important to know how to store your winter equipment to avoid damages.

We’ve put a list together of all the tips and tricks you need to know, in order to store your winter equipment properly.

To start off, you will have to decide whether you want to store your winter equipment at home, or if you want to make use of one of our storage locations in Parkville, Kamploos, Victoria, Coquitlam, Surrey, Langley, or in Mission.

The advantage of making use of one of our storage units, for example, the Langley storage unit, is that your stored belongings are safe. This is thanks to our complex security system. In addition, our team of professionals will provide excellent service, making sure that you can get the most of your storage unit. This way, a mini storage unit in Mission, BC might even be big enough. With our help, you won’t have to waste your money on unused space, and at the same time, won’t have ugly boxes or dust catchers standing at home filled with winter items you no longer need.

Next, you’ll have to organize your winter gear according to the following categories: (a) clothing and Fabric, (b) shoes and boots, and (c) activity equipment (skis, snowboards, sleighs, etc.). We will give you instructions on how to store each category, and what to pay attention to, in order to find them fresh and working again next winter.

a) Clothing & Fabric

With anything fabric, whether it is your winter clothes, jackets, or blankets, it is very important that everything has been properly cleaned and dried before being put into storage. This way you can avoid mold. Another trick to decrease the likelihood of mold is by adding a few little packages filled with silica gel, which can easily be found and purchased online.

As we all know and may have even experienced before, clothes, especially those which are not completely clean, may end up attracting moths. This is why it is also important to make sure to put some kind of moth detergent into your boxes. Moth detergent comes in all different forms, and is available at most drugstores or department stores, or can be found online.

When it comes to the logistics of a storage room, it makes sense to store clothes and fabrics as high in your storage locker as possible. The reason for this being that humidity tends to sink down. This means that the higher your clothes are stored, the drier the air and safer your clothes.

b) Shoes & Boots

Before placing your shoes and boots in one of our storage units, for example in Coquitlam make sure that your shoes have been cleaned and dried off. You can clean the inlays according to the instructions given, as simply putting them in the dryer may shrink them. Your leather shoes should be cleaned with special leather polish. To clean your shoes and boots from salt stains, mix two parts water with one part vinegar and gently polish your shoes with the mixture. Use a wet cloth to remove the vinegar then dry the shoes with a towel. In order to avoid moisture in your shoes, you can use either silica gel packets, or put a small amount of salt in the shoe.

c) Activity Equipment

When it starts snowing, the winter can be very fun and includes great activities such as skiing, snowboarding, or tobogganing. But winter sports are expensive, and everyone knows that purchasing good equipment can be quite an investment. This is why it would be wasteful to ruin perfectly good equipment by not storing it correctly. For skis and snowboards, it is important to first clean them properly and then wax them, ideally with a travel/ storage wax. When putting them into one of our self-storage units, like the one in Surrey, BC, you want to make sure not to put pressure on them. The best way to avoid this pressure is to place your items into a neutral position – don’t hang them up, and don’t place anything on top of them. Toboggans are less complicated, make sure you clean and dry them properly before storing them. You can then hang them up on a wall, or store them sideways. We do not recommend storing them directly on the floor. By placing pallets underneath your tobbogans you can make sure that they don’t touch the ground.

If you have decided to use our self-storage facilities in Parkville, Kamploos, Victoria, Coquitlam, Surrey, Langley, or Mission, have a look at the prices and unit sizes and give us a call for more information at 604-513-8144.