Cleaning out your self-storage unit may be something you dread to do. It’s a hassle to clean knowing it will result in more mess. At Noah’s Ark Self Storage, we know you may be overwhelmed thinking about it. But worry not! Here are some tips that can help you stay organized when cleaning out your unit.
Make A Checklist
Before cleaning out, you should check what’s at the unit. Now you may not want to do so but it’s fun to look through them and be reminded of the memories each item has. Don’t worry about going through every single thing, just the ones that you have easy access to look through. While doing so, write down what you can see.
Create a Plan
After writing down what you can see, make a list of items to keep, to sell, to donate, to toss or to recycle. You should also figure out how long it will take to clean out. If you have any furniture in the unit, make sure your vehicle is big enough to carry them. If not, rent out a moving truck. And if donating, find out if there’s any donation places near the unit to donate to.
Make sure you bring out cleaning supplies for the clean-out day. Bring out moving supplies, trash bags, labels, and sharpies. Don’t forget to bring boxes to sort out the destination of the items.
Recruit Helping Hands
It’s a good idea to ask friends and family to help clean out the storage unit. It can lessen the cleaning time. If there’s no one to help out during the clean-out day, you can hire clean-out services in the area to help you out.
Clean Out
It’s cleaning day and you have the supplies and helping hands you will need. First label which boxes or some sort will be to keep, sell, donate, toss, or recycle. This is to make it easier for yourself and others.
Depending on the storage facility, they may have an onsite dumpster to dump the items labeled ‘toss’. Though, check if there’s a limit and rules on what you can throw away. If there’s no onsite dumpster, you can hire a junk removal company. If a junk removal company isn’t in your plan, you can haul the “to toss/recycle” items off to a landfill and recycle center afterward.
Load The “To Keep” Items
The unit is cleaned out and the items at their destination, now it’s time to load out the items you plan to keep, donate and sell. Make sure you label the ones you are planning to donate, sell or keep in your home. If you plan to sell, you can have a garage sale later to sell them.
After you have cleaned out the unit as it was before, notify the manager that you’re ready to leave. It’s a good idea to go to the donation place to donate and have fewer loads in your vehicle.
Our staff at Noah’s Ark Storage Unit can help give you more tips on cleaning out the unit. Contact us today for more information about our self-storage units and their benefits!