Storage units are useful for temporarily storing items when moving, renovating, or downsizing your home. However, the items in your unit can quickly be forgotten about, and the maintenance fees will soon add up.
No one wants to pay for space to store items you simply have no use for. If you’re looking to clean out your storage unit or clear out enough items to downgrade to a smaller unit, we’re here to help. Thorough planning and preparation will make the cleaning process much more manageable.
Here are six steps to clean out your unit and address the junk that comes with it.
Preparing for a Storage Unit Cleanout
1. Take Inventory: Before you start clearing out your storage unit, note everything inside. Taking inventory will not only help you get an idea of how much work is ahead but also give you an idea of the supplies you need.
Also, note any items you plan on keeping, selling, or donating. These notes will make it easier for you to sort items during the actual unit cleaning.
2. Plan: Once you know what’s inside your unit, devise a strategy for cleaning and tidying the space. Think of any supplies, additional sets of hands, and transportation you’ll need.
Boxes are helpful for sorting items you plan on keeping, selling, or donating, and garbage bags are handy for throwing any unwanted items away. You may need scissors to open sealed boxes, tape, and markers to reseal and label boxes. Also, bring gloves and masks so you and your team can be safe from any loose dust and debris.
3. Ask for Help: Recruiting friends or family to help clean your storage unit can greatly lighten the load and ensure you’re not stuck there all day. Some items are too large or heavy to move by yourself.
Schedule a day and time that works for everyone involved, and ensure you have enough supplies.
4. Rent a Moving Van: Depending on how many items you’re clearing out or how many trips you’re willing to take, you may need to rent a moving van to transport your belongings.
Taking inventory will give you an idea of the size you need for your moving van.
How To Clean Out Your Storage Unit in 6 Steps
Remove Large Items
Removing large items like furniture, mattresses, and carpets will make the space feel less busy and help you focus on the smaller items. Be sure to have an extra set of hands to help you move these items, as they can cause injury if not handled properly.
Handle One Section at a Time
Packed spaces can be overwhelming, so it’s best to handle one section at a time. Use the space outside your unit to move items and work your way through the entire unit. Taking your items out can help you visualize everything you plan on keeping or disposing of.
Organize Items Into Piles
Set up four piles for items you plan on keeping, storing, selling, or donating. Keep a garbage bag handy for any items you’re throwing away. As you work around your unit, place items in their corresponding pile.
Consider the item’s condition when determining whether to sell or donate it. Like-new items can be sold, but lightly used ones are better off being donated. Try to get rid of any unneeded items to ensure your storage unit is only used for necessities.
Once your belongings are separated into piles, consider going through the items you’re keeping again. You’ll be surprised how many items you truly don’t need, especially if they’ve already been in storage for quite some time.
Need Help with Storage Junk Removal in the Bay Area, CA?
Nixxit Junk Removal can help with your storage junk removal needs in the Bay Area.
- Full-Service Junk Removal and Sorting
- We Do the Heavy Lifting and Loading
- Locally Owned and Operated
- Donation and Recycling
- Same Day Appointments Available!
Pack Items in Boxes
Pack items into boxes for safe transport. Place similar items together and label the boxes for easy unpacking later. For example, electronics you plan on donating will go into one box, while electronics you plan on selling will go into another.
Pack any fragile items with newspaper or bubble wrap to prevent damage. Tape your boxes shut to prevent anything from falling out, and avoid overfilling boxes to make stacking them easier.
Load Your Moving Van
Once your belongings are packed into boxes, begin loading them onto your moving truck or van. Load the things you plan to keep in your home, sell, or donate, and leave behind the things you plan to hold in storage.
First, load the largest and heaviest items, such as furniture and appliances. These should be on the bottom to prevent damage to any items below them and placed toward the front of the truck to help distribute the weight.
Place lighter items on top and ensure every space is filled before moving to the next loading section. Consider placing your more fragile items in the truck’s cab to avoid breaking them.
Ensure you have an idea of where your belongings are going. If you don’t, either keep some belongings in storage for a while longer or set more things aside to sell and donate. Place donation boxes in your car so they don’t make their way back into your home.
Clean Up Your Unit
Once your unit is cleared, clean it up. Sweep the floors and high corners to remove dust and cobwebs. Wipe down any spills or stains to ensure your unit and belongings are free of damage.
Now you can move your storage boxes back into your unit, or turn in the key if you’re no longer using it.
How Do I Get Rid of Storage Unit Junk?
Sell or donate your unwanted items. Create posts for the items you wish to sell on online marketplaces like eBay or Facebook Marketplace. If you have several items you need to get rid of, host a yard sale.
Contact a local donation center or charity organization to see if they accept your items. Several thrift stores accept electronics and furniture. Contact your local donation centers to schedule a drop-off.
Anything that cannot be donated should be recycled. Furniture may not be recyclable as a whole, but individual materials can be. E-waste centers accept electronics. Take extra care to ensure hazardous materials are handled properly.
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of figuring out what to sell, donate, or recycle, hire a junk removal company. At Nixxit, we have the experience and expertise to determine what can be donated and what needs to be recycled. We use a long resource list to find a new home for your belongings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens if You Don’t Clean Out Storage Unit?
If you’re holding onto clutter, not cleaning out a storage unit can result in unnecessary fees. If you don’t clean out a storage unit and don’t pay the expenses, your belongings will be confiscated, and unpaid fees can be reported to credit agencies, affecting your credit score.
Need Help Cleaning Out a Storage Unit in the Bay Area, CA? We Can Help.
Storage units are a temporary solution for added space, but you may be paying unnecessary fees to hold onto clutter. Cleaning your unit can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help.
Consider Nixxit for a simple way to clear out your storage unit. Our team will remove your belongings with care and efficiency. We will find a new home for your items, and anything that cannot be donated is recycled or repurposed. Very rarely do we send something to the landfill. Schedule an appointment today or visit us to learn about our storage unit cleanout services.
