Storing To Stay Calm

Packing Children's Items For A Mini Storage Unit

31 December 2017

Lois King

Whether you want to declutter your children's bedrooms or your little ones are no longer little, you may find that transferring toys, clothes, and games to a mini storage unit is the best option for your home. As you begin to organize and pack these items for storage, use the following tips to help keep everything safely stashed away until it is needed again.

Use Vacuum-Seal Bags

Vacuum-seal bags can save space inside your storage containers, and they can provide added protection against dirt and dust while your items are in storage. Sort clothing by size and type, and then place each the items from each pile into separate bags. Stack the bags inside plastic storage containers, and label both the bags and the containers with the contents placed inside.

Thoroughly Clean Toys

Before putting toys into storage, be sure to thoroughly clean and dry them. You can sanitize some items in the dishwasher, while others can be simply soaked and cleaned with dish soap and warm water. Check the label on any stuffed animals before placing them in the washing machine and dryer. Check bath toys for signs of mold, and discard any damaged items before you begin packing.

Organize By Age

One way to prepare hand-me-down toys for future generations is to organize them by age. Infant toys should be placed into labeled containers and separated from toddler toys. Any items that pose a choking hazard should be placed in clearly labeled containers to prevent them from being given to young children. Stack the boxes according to age, with newborn items placed toward the front of the mini storage unit. As new babies are born into the family, you can cycle through these containers. As each child grows out of the toys for his or her age group, simply place the items back into the containers so they can be stored until they are needed once again.

Disassemble Large Play Sets

Large play sets, such as kitchen sets, tool benches, and playhouses, can take up a lot of space in a mini storage unit. You can save space in this smaller unit by disassembling these play sets first. Place all hardware in large plastic zipper bags, and attach them to a large piece of the corresponding play set. You can rest the large pieces against the wall of the storage unit, or you can invest in freestanding metal shelving units where the pieces can be placed on assigned shelves. Be sure to keep the components of each play set separate for easy reassembly later, and keep the instruction booklets in the hardware bags.

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