If you’re a parent, you know how much space your children’s toys can take up. At first, you have the pacifiers, the rocking horse, the favorite stuffed animal—it all seems manageable. But then they get older. Suddenly, they’re playing sports, gaining new and distinct interests, and, before you know it, you’re overrun with their toys. Maybe, now that they’re older, you want to free up space. Perhaps you’re moving and need additional storage. Maybe you want to save once-loved toys for younger siblings or grandchildren. Whatever the reason, Fairfax City Self Storage wants to make your life easier by offering a reliable storage option.
Fairfax City Self Storage is the perfect solution for short or long-term toy storage. We have put together a step-by-step guide to make toy storage easy. Ready to learn more about how to store toys in a storage unit?
Step 1: Prep Toys for Storage
It is important to take steps to make sure that your toys are properly prepared for storage. The longer a toy is in storage, the more likely it will get damaged. Knowing how to store toys long-term is crucial to keeping your items safe. Here are some notes on how to prepare for long-term toy storage:
- Clean the toys: Before you put any toys in storage, you should ensure that they are clean. Storing unclean toys can damage the toy itself and surrounding items. Food stains, for instance, can encourage mold and attract pests. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to properly clean each item.
- Dry the toys: Never store a damp or wet toy. This will support mold growth.
- Remove the batteries: Make sure no batteries are left in electronic toys. The battery could erode and destroy the toy.
Step 2: Toy Storage Organization
Before storing, you should take steps to ensure your toy storage is organized to avoid confusion when you decide to revisit your unit.
- Inventory: It’s a good idea to make a list of the items you are storing. Making an inventory allows you to know what is what and where is where. This will make life much easier when retrieving stored toys. You may want to start by categorizing the toys. Here are some ideas for categorization:
- Beach toys
- Sports equipment
- Seasonal toys
- Toys by age
Labels: Make labels to help you navigate your storage unit. Laminate your labels, or use paper, tape and markers.
Step 3: Packing
Packing is the most tedious part of the storage process. It is important to know what materials you will need and how to pack certain items.
- What to buy: Be sure to stock up on the necessary materials. Here’s a list of items you might need:
- Bubble wrap.
- Packing tape.
- Markers/pens.
- Plastic bins with snap-on lids.
- Cardboard boxes.
- Boxes: Make sure you have a sufficient number of boxes for toy storage. This way, you can avoid overfilling any boxes. Try to make sure you have boxes or bins instead of bags.
- Fragile toys: Wrap fragile toys in bubble wrap before placing them carefully in a box. Do not stack anything on top of these items.
- Toys with multiple pieces: Try placing toys with various pieces in a plastic container, so parts of the toy don’t get lost.
Step 4: Rent the Right Storage Unit
Do not underestimate the impact the elements can have on your toys. Damage can be caused by heat, cold, or humidity. It may be a good idea to look for a temperature-controlled self-storage unit in order to ensure the protection of your items.
Contact Us Today
Fairfax City Self Storage has 30 years of experience offering quality storage solutions. Based in Fairfax, Virginia, we are conveniently located off the beltway. Our facility is accessible 24/7/365.
Contact us to secure your storage unit today, or call (703) 978-1200 for more information.