Spring Cleaning Your Home & Storage Unit: Simple Tips for a Fresh Start

After a long winter, spring is the ideal time to declutter and organize your storage spaces. This annual tradition allows you to clear out unnecessary items, dust shelves, sweep floors, and create a cleaner, more manageable storage unit. If your self storage feels cluttered or overfilled, now is the perfect opportunity to tidy up and make the most of your space with a thorough spring cleaning.

Photo by RDNE Stock project

Spring Cleaning Step One: Master the Art of Decluttering

Before you start the actual cleaning part of your spring cleaning, it is worth the time to seasonally look through your items to clear out what no longer serves and is just taking up space. Channel your inner Marie Kondo and begin by decluttering and sorting your belongings into categories:

1. What to Keep at Home

These are the daily necessities that should be kept in your home, like items you use for cooking and cleaning. Think about what you need in your day-to-day life that you need easily accessible in one of your primary home storage areas, as well as what items you will need for the upcoming warm-weather seasons. Consider storing these items in easy reach for the springtime:

• Everyday kitchen items: cookware, dishes, utensils, small appliances
• Cleaning supplies: household cleaners, vacuum, broom, mop
• Linens and textiles: towels, bedsheets, pillowcases, tablecloths
• Personal care items: toiletries, medicines, skincare products
• Seasonal clothing: lighter jackets, shorts, swimsuits, sandals, hats
• Warmer-weather equipment: gardening tools, lawn chairs, grilling accessories
• Frequently used electronics: chargers, laptops, small appliances
• Essential paperwork: current bills, important documents, identification, insurance papers

2. What to Store in a Storage Unit

Your self storage unit should contain items you don’t use frequently but still hold a practical or sentimental value. This might be personal items, seasonal decorations and clothing, or outdoor equipment.

Storage units are also ideal for holding onto furniture or home goods that may not currently fit into your living space but could be useful later—especially during home renovations, moves, or transitions between living situations. Additionally, items like family heirlooms, childhood memorabilia, or special keepsakes that you don’t regularly use but want to preserve, can be safely and securely stored to free up space at home while keeping your memories intact. Look for rental options with temperature or climate control to best protect your most sensitive belongings.

3. What to Donate or Sell

When decluttering, it’s common to find belongings that no longer serve a purpose in your life but remain in good condition. Rather than allowing these items to gather dust, consider donating or selling them.

Items such as clothing in good condition, gently used furniture, household appliances, books, and toys can easily find new life in another home. Local charities, thrift stores, or shelters will gladly accept donations, helping those in need while reducing waste. Alternatively, selling items through yard sales, consignment shops, or online marketplaces can put some extra money in your pocket while furthering your goal of decluttering your living space.

4. What to Throw Away

When items are broken, damaged beyond repair, expired, or simply no longer functional, it’s best to part ways promptly. Keeping these things around—whether at home or in storage—only takes up valuable space and contributes to unnecessary clutter.

Follow the practical one-year rule: if you haven’t used an item in a year or more and it holds no sentimental or practical value, it’s usually safe to discard it. Removing these unnecessary items can greatly reduce stress and free you from the physical and mental burden of clutter, giving you more room to breathe and enjoy your home.

Spring Cleaning Step Two: Freshen Up Your Storage Unit

After decluttering, the next step in your spring-cleaning journey is to give your storage unit itself some much-needed attention. A clean and organized storage unit not only protects your belongings but also makes your visits more pleasant and stress-free if the long run. Here’s how to freshen things up:

1. Open the Doors and Window

Begin by opening the doors of your storage unit to allow fresh air to circulate. Airing out your storage space helps remove musty odors and reduces moisture that may have built up over winter months. For even better protection year-round, consider renting a controlled indoor storage unit, which helps prevent mold, mildew, and damage from temperature fluctuations and humidity.

2. Wipe, Sweep, Repeat

Dust and dirt can settle in hidden corners, making your storage unit look and feel neglected. Take the time to thoroughly sweep floors, dust shelves, and wipe down all surfaces. Use cleaning solutions to sanitize areas prone to mold and mildew, especially if your unit is not climate-controlled. Check your humidity-control products, and replace them when their time comes to an end. This deep-cleaning approach ensures your belongings remain clean and in good condition while stored—whether you are only storing for a little or you need a long-term solution.

3. Reorganize for Convenience

Spring cleaning is an excellent opportunity to rethink the layout of your storage unit. If you currently have a maze of unlabeled boxes, use this time to reorganize with convenience and accessibility in mind. Move frequently used or seasonal items closer to the front of your unit, and clearly label every container. Creating a clear path and logical organization system will simplify future visits, saving you valuable time and effort.

4. Incorporate Storage Solutions

Take your organization to the next level by incorporating smart storage solutions. Vacuum-sealed bags are perfect for reducing the space clothing and linens occupy, while shelving units can help you take advantage of vertical space. Stackable bins create tidy, stable arrangements that simplify accessibility. These solutions not only maximize available storage space but also keep your belongings protected and easy to locate.

Spring Cleaning Step Three: Enjoy the Journey Ahead! Get Organized for a Successful Year with 3 Key Self Storage

With your space organized and feeling fresh, take a step back and commend yourself on a job well done. As the weather gets nicer and you want to take more advantage of the free space in your house for activities, you will be well-prepared. Visit the top-quality storage units near you in Campbellsville, KY, and see how 3 Key Self Storage can support you in all your organization and storage needs.

Find the perfect storage unit online, and make self storage your #1 partner in your spring cleaning!

Katie Mest

About the Author: Katie Mest is a Content Marketing Specialist at Storage Asset Management in York, PA. She specializes in writing about the self storage industry, including storage tips and helpful resources. Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors and snuggling in with a crochet project and her cat, Billie.