With the winter months right around the corner, it is time to begin thinking about getting your home ready for the holidays. Before hanging a single wreath and planning for the first festive gathering, there are some steps you can take now to make sure that you are prepared. Cleaning out clutter and creating extra space are key elements to keeping your house organized and your guests comfortable during this hectic time of year, and renting a Phoenix storage unit is the perfect way to get the extra space you need. Preparing Your Home for The Holidays Part of getting ready for the holidays involves swapping out summer décor and furnishings in favor of items that reflect the season. Unfortunately, finding the space to keep seasonal items clean and undamaged when not in use can be a challenge. Rather than keeping valuables and fragile or delicate belongings in your garage or shed or stuffing them into already overcrowded closets, a Phoenix storage unit provides a secure, climate-controlled space to keep them safe until you are ready to use them next year. The decorating website Style At Home offers these tips on getting your living space holiday ready: Swap out pastel and light colored pillows, linens, and furniture coverings with items in rich fabrics and deeper tones; Switch sheer or cotton curtains with heavier fabrics to keep out drafts; Pack up summer cookout and picnic supplies, such as melamine dishes and cups and paper plates, in favor of dishes, goblets, and bakeware you use for holiday entertaining; Wash and stow summer clothing items in favor of winter sweaters, boots, and formal wear you may end up needing; Go through your knick knacks and other items, packing away certain items to clear space for holiday favorites. Getting Holiday Decorations Ready For Use Whether you decorate a lot or a little, seasonal items require some preparation before they are ready to use. Without renting a storage unit in Phoenix, most people end up storing these items in crawl spaces and garages. You will want to unpack and assemble everything, taking an inventory of what you plan on using this year, as well as items that need to be replaced due to being lost or damaged. As a result of sitting outside or in dark and dirty spaces, what you have will require some cleaning and freshening up before being ready to use. The website Clean My Space recommends the following tips for cleaning different types of decorations: For artificial garlands, wreaths, and trees, fluff out each branch and clean needles with a dampened paint brush; For keepsake ornaments, dry dust first, then spot clean with window cleaner, using caution to avoid getting any painted areas or glittered parts wet; For candlesticks and menorahs, chip off wax build up and drips gently with a toothpick, then polish with silver or brass cleaner; For holiday tablecloths and napkins, check for stains and pre-treat before throwing in the wash, then iron each item once they are dried. Phoenix Storage Units After the Holidays Once the holidays are over, you can pack up everything neatly in your Phoenix storage unit, saving you space as well as money due to not having to replace the same lost or damaged items you end up needing each year. If you have any more questions about storage, don’t hesitate to contact us at US Storage Centers today for help. US Storage Centers 4860 North 83rd Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85033 (866) 858-7031
