Whether you are dealing with a storage unit that you have not visited in years or you recently bought a storage unit at an auction, cleaning and emptying the storage unit is not typically our favorite task. Cleaning out a storage unit can be quite a big project, especially if you have a lot of large and bulky items stored. If you are planning to empty out your storage unit, follow these helpful tips and tricks for a successful storage unit clean out.
Step 1: Take an Inventory of all Items in Your Storage Unit.
The first step in cleaning out a storage unit is to take an inventory of all items in your storage unit. Count the number of boxes and write down how many boxes you’ll need to sort through to estimate how much time the clean-out will take. The chances are pretty high that there is an item in there that you’ve forgotten about. Keeping a list of everything in your storage unit will help you to keep track of all your items.
Step 2: Create a Game Plan.
Once you have a good idea of everything that is in your storage unit, you can begin to strategize and create a plan of what to do with everything. Although cleaning out a storage unit can be quite the task, having a solid plan in place before you begin will help the process to go much smoother and more efficiently. Break down the cleanout into smaller, more manageable tasks.
Step 3: Plan a Day to Declutter.
To make the task less overwhelming, it is important that you properly prepare yourself for what is to come. Pick a day to do the actual clean out and come equipped with moving supplies, garbage bags, labels, and sorting totes. When asking yourself how much time you will need to clean out the storage unit, it is recommended that you overestimate. Sometimes, it can take more than one day to thoroughly clean out a storage unit.
Step 4: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help.
Cleaning out a storage unit is often a difficult task, so it may be very helpful to ask someone for help, such as a friend, family member, or even a professional organizer. Having an extra person (or more) will make the cleaning process go much more quickly, as there will be someone else to complete tasks such as unpacking, labeling, packing, rearranging, and organizing. Having help during this process can also help to reduce your stress. Just remember – the more of you there are, the less work each individual has to do!
Step 5: Create Sorting Categories.
One effective way to sort through and clean out items in your storage unit is the Four-Box Declutter method. This method is based on the technique of using four empty boxes for sorting:
- Keep Box: This box can include items that you want to remove from your storage unit and take home.
- Store Box: The store box can be used to sort the items that will stay in storage.
- Donate/Sell Box: This box is used for items that you plan to sell or donate.
- Toss Box: This last box will include anything that is broken or that you plan to throw away.
Step 6: Arrange Pickups.
Whether you are donating, keeping, or selling your items, it can be helpful to arrange pickup arrangements at your storage unit beforehand. Many companies and organizations that accept donations, such as Goodwill or The Salvation Army, will come and pick them up. Additionally, many individual buyers that you meet from sites like Craigslist typically prefer to meet in a public space anyway. Just remember – the less transporting you have to do during the clean out process, the better. Arranging pickups can help to save you time, fuel, and energy.
Step 7: Hire a Junk Removal Company if Necessary.
If the storage unit ends up being more of a mess than you can handle, don’t be afraid to call a junk removal company to come remove all the garbage. Hiring a junk removal company can be especially useful for those individuals who do not have help or aren’t physically capable of cleaning out the storage unit on their own. If you plan to use a junk removal company, ensure that you have removed any items that you are wanting to keep or donate before they arrive.
Contact USA Self Storage Today
Locally owned and family-managed, USA Self Storage is the perfect solution for you! We have locations all over central Arkansas and video surveillance to keep your belongings safe. Here at USA Self Storage, our contracts are flexible, meaning you can pay month-to-month. Contact us at 501-701-0707 to get your storage unit set up today!