Cleaning Out Your Storage Unit? Here's What You'll Need

Assess What You Have in Storage

The first step in cleaning out your self storage unit is to take inventory and assess everything you have in storage. Walk through the unit and look at all of the boxes, furniture, and other items. As you go, decide what you want to keep and what you can donate or throw away. Make a list of all the boxes and large items. Write a short description of what's in each box so you remember later. Go through each item methodically and consider whether you still need or want that item. Be brutal and honest with yourself here. Many times we put things in storage thinking we'll use them again, but years pass and we never touch them.

Make three piles as you go:

Keep
Donate/Sell
Trash.

Put post-it notes or other markers on boxes and items to designate the piles. Take photos of valuable furniture or other items to help you remember what you stored. The key is being able to identify what's worth keeping vs. what you can get rid of. This will maximize the space in your new location.

Gather Supplies

Before cleaning out your storage unit, gather all the supplies you'll need to safely pack and transport your belongings. Having the right materials on hand will make the process quicker and easier.

Boxes

Collect a variety of box sizes like small, medium, and large. Go with sturdy cardboard boxes that can hold a fair amount of weight without ripping. Avoid flimsy fruit or grocery store boxes which could collapse. Get an ample supply of boxes so you don't run out mid-pack.

Packing Tape

Invest in heavy-duty clear packing tape, not decorative tape or flimsy tape. You'll need it to securely seal all the boxes shut. Make sure to get a tape dispenser too for convenience.

Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap is great for wrapping fragile items like dishes, glassware, ceramics, and décor. Make sure to get bubble wrap that has small bubbles, which offer more protection. Pre-cut sheets make this task simpler.

Permanent Markers

Have plenty of thick permanent markers available to clearly label boxes with contents and room destination. This keeps boxes organized and makes unpacking easier.

Cleaning Supplies

Get basic cleaning supplies like a broom, duster, trash bags, paper towels, and all-purpose cleaner. After removing all items, thoroughly sweep and wipe down the empty storage unit before turning it back in.

Gathering these key supplies ahead of time will make packing, moving, and cleaning out your storage unit an organized process. Come prepared so you can work efficiently.

Create A Game Plan

Before starting to clean out your storage unit, it's important to map out your plan of attack. Rushing in without a strategy will likely lead to wasted time and effort. Here are some tips for creating an effective game plan:

Map out the order of what to remove first. Take stock of what you have in storage and decide the order you want to remove items. Start with large furniture and boxes that are in the back or blocked by other items. Work methodically towards the front of the unit.

Group similar items. As you take items out of storage, have designated areas to place similar items, such as boxes of kitchen items, outdoor furniture, sports equipment, etc. This will make it easier to load your truck efficiently. Have a donate and a trash pile. Be decisive about what you want to keep and what you can donate or toss. This will help avoid accumulating items you don't need or re-storing things you should get rid of.
Label boxes. Use a marker to label boxes with general contents and the room they should go in. This speeds up unpacking.
Bring packing supplies. Have bubble wrap, newsprint, towels, and boxes available to carefully pack fragile items for transport. Taking time to map out a plan sets you up for an organized, efficient clean out.
Group items logically, purge what you don't need, and take steps to safely transport your belongings. With a solid game plan, you'll make quick work of emptying that storage unit.

Pack Items To Transport

When packing your items from storage to transport, it's important to package them properly to avoid any damage. Here are some tips:

Use original boxes when possible. This will make stacking and transporting easier. If you don't have the original boxes, use new boxes in good condition.
Wrap fragile items with bubble wrap or packing paper. Cups, plates, glasses, mirrors and other delicate items should have extra padding to prevent cracks or chips. Make sure to wrap each item individually.
Label boxes by room or category. This will make unloading and putting items away faster. Use a permanent marker to label boxes as Kitchen, Bedroom, Bathroom, Decor, etc. You can also number boxes if you have multiple for each room.
Load heavy boxes on bottom. Heavier items like books or canned goods should go in boxes on the bottom of the stack. This prevents boxes from collapsing.
Fill empty spaces. Use packing paper, towels or other fillers to fill in gaps in boxes to provide cushioning. This prevents shifting during transport.
Secure lids. Tape box lids shut securely with packing tape. This keeps lids from popping open. Double box fragile items. For very delicate items like china or glassware, use two boxes - one inside the other with padding in between.

Properly packing your belongings from storage will get them safely to your new location. Take time to wrap and secure items to avoid damage during loading and unloading.

Load the Truck

When your storage unit is empty and you're ready to load up the truck, focus on transporting your belongings safely and efficiently. Use dollies for moving large furniture like dressers, beds, and couches. Carefully roll the furniture up the ramp and position it securely against the truck walls. Dollies allow you to move heavy objects without straining yourself. Stack boxes tightly and secure them with rope, straps, or blankets so nothing shifts around during the drive. Heavier boxes should go on the bottom. Pad sharp edges on furniture to avoid box damage. Consider renting a truck with a bed liner or covering the bed with thick blankets. This helps protect your belongings from scratches or dirt during the loading and unloading process. You can also lay blankets down between layers of boxes for added cushioning.

Take your time when loading the truck and make sure everything is stabilized. Drive carefully back home or to your new location. Once there, you can start unpacking boxes and enjoying your items again!

Clean Out The Storage Unit

After loading up the truck with all your packed boxes and items, it's time to do a final clean out of the storage unit. Here are some tips for this process:

Sweep the floors thoroughly. Use a broom to sweep up any dust, dirt or debris left behind. Pay close attention to the corners and edges where cobwebs and dust can accumulate. It's satisfying to leave the unit with clean floors.
Check for any items left behind. Take a careful look around the entire unit. Make sure you didn't miss any small items or boxes when clearing out your belongings. It's easy to overlook something, so a thorough sweep is important.
Wipe down the walls. Use a damp rag or cleaning wipes to remove any smudges, fingerprints or dirt on the walls. Make sure to wipe down the front of the unit and the door as well. Getting rid of grime will leave the unit clean for the next renter.
Take photos of the empty unit. Before turning in your unit and notifying the manager, take pictures from multiple angles showing the vacant unit. This provides helpful documentation that you left the unit empty and clean, protecting you from any potential disputes.
Dispose of any trash properly. If there are any cleaning rags, broken items or trash picked up when sweeping, don't leave them behind. Dispose of them in onsite dumpsters or take them with you when you go.
Notify the Manager of the move out and schedule the final inspection and signoff of any paperwork.

With these cleaning tips, you can feel confident you left the storage unit spic and span. Taking the time to sweep, wipe down, check for items and take photos will result in a smooth transition out of the space.

Transport Items Safely

Once your storage unit is packed up and you've loaded everything into your vehicle, it's time to transport your belongings to their new home. When moving items from a storage unit, take extra care to prevent any damage during the drive. Here are some tips for safely transporting your stored possessions:

Drive slowly and take corners gently. Sudden starts, stops, and tight turns can cause boxes and furniture to shift and fall over.
Maintain a steady, moderate speed and avoid any erratic driving. This will help keep your load secure.
Pack truck tightly to prevent shifting. Fill up all available space and use furniture pads, blankets, or other padding to fill gaps. Sturdy, tight packing will minimize movement of items while driving. You can also use ropes, straps, or netting to secure the load.
Put fragile boxes in cab. When possible, keep irreplaceable or delicate items with you in the cab instead of the bed or trailer. This prevents damage from weather exposure or unsecured loads shifting around.
Load heavy items low. Centre the weight as low as possible to improve stability. Top-heavy loads are more prone to tipping.
Check tie-downs regularly. Make occasional stops to check ropes, straps, and tie-down points to ensure nothing has shifted or come loose. Re-secure items as needed.
Drive with headlights on. This improves visibility so other drivers can see you. Use flashers too for oversized loads that stick out.

By driving carefully, packing tightly, and taking preventative measures, you can safely transport all your belongings from the old storage unit to their new home. Take your time and focus on cautious driving to keep your items secure.

Unpack Boxes

Unpacking all of your belongings after moving them from storage can feel overwhelming. Here are some tips to make unpacking boxes a smooth process:

Open boxes room by room - Don't try to unpack everything at once. Focus on one room at a time so you don't get overwhelmed. Open the boxes for each room and unpack their contents before moving on to the next room.
Check box contents vs labeling - When you packed up your storage unit, you likely labeled each box with its contents. As you open each box, take a quick glance to make sure the contents match the labeling. This will help you know what to expect in each box and identify any that may have been mislabeled.
Set up donation pile immediately - As soon as you open a box, set aside any items you know you want to donate. Don't leave them in the box or you'll just have to sort through again later. Having a donation pile ready to go will make unpacking more efficient. Unpacking can be tiring both physically and mentally.
Take breaks as needed and don't rush through it. Before you know it, you'll be settled back into your space with everything in its new home.

Donate Unwanted Items

After going through everything in your storage unit, you'll likely have items you no longer want or need. Instead of throwing them away, donate them to help others in need.

Research local donation centers.

Search for donation centers near you that accept gently used items like clothes, shoes, books, toys, furniture, electronics, and household goods. Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity ReStores are some national options. Check their websites for donation guidelines. Local shelters, churches, and nonprofits also frequently accept donations.

Provide receipts for taxes.

When you drop off items, ask the donation center for a receipt detailing your contribution. You can claim these charitable donations on your taxes to lower your taxable income. Make sure to get receipts for all donations throughout the year.

Schedule prompt pickup.

Some donation centers can schedule a free pickup from your home for large loads of household items or furniture. This saves you an extra trip across town. Call ahead to arrange a convenient time for them to come load the donations into their truck.

Cleaning out a storage unit takes time and labor, but the donation process makes it rewarding. Your unused belongings get put to good use, while also earning you a tax break. Just be sure to thoroughly research your local options to find the best places to donate.

Relax and Enjoy

After putting in all that hard work cleaning out your storage unit, it's time to reap the rewards! This is an accomplishment worth celebrating. Take some time to relax and admire your newly organized and decluttered space. You've earned it! Pat yourself on the back for following through on your decluttering goals. Getting motivated to start clearing things out is one thing, but actually doing it is quite another. Staying focused and committed despite the challenges along the way is no small feat. Be sure to treat yourself to something special as a reward for all your efforts. So kick back and relax with your favorite meal, watch a movie you've been looking forward to seeing, or do whatever brings you joy. You've earned a little "me time" after taking on such a big project. Decluttering is hard work, both physically and mentally. But now you can enjoy the peace of mind and sense of accomplishment that comes from reclaiming your space. Your storage unit is cleared out and your belongings are neatly organized. Well done!