Now that the summer is wrapping up and we are entering the fall, many people find that they need a place to store their camping gear that so that it’s ready for use next season. By now, your equipment has likely been everywhere with you: through the mountains, streams, into the forests and the deep outdoors. Now, making sure that this stays clean and dry when you’re not using it is important to ensure that it doesn’t need to be replaced next season. Clean & Dry Items like sleeping bags can be loaded into washing machines, but should also be aired out (like your tent) before being placed into a smaller storage item, like a sack. Anything that is not completely dry before it gets stored runs the risk of developing mildew, rot, and mold. The best way to ensure that this doesn’t happen is to lay everything out –and even set up your tent—to first clean off all the dirt and, once clean, ensure that everything dries out. This also applies to cooking materials, which should be thoroughly cleaned so as to avoid leaving any food residue that could attract insects or rodents. In general, making sure that everything is clean and dry—even if it has to sit out in the sun for a while after you’ve cleaned—makes a huge difference. Batteries Removed Make sure that before you store anything that runs on batteries (like flashlights and electronics), you take the batteries out and store them separately (sealed plastic bags work) so as to avoid corrosion. Containers & Storage Units Many people ask us what the best containers for storing their materials are. Duffle bags or storage bins are actually preferable to cardboard boxes when it comes to making sure your items are protected and ready to go next season. Any and all items that are placed in storage can benefit from being periodically checked and moved around. This allows for any dust that has accumulated to be cleared out. When it comes to camping gear, staying organized and storing your items in smaller units that are then stored in larger containers can help keep everything sorted properly. And when it comes to finding a storage location for these items, having all your camping gear in one location (such as a self-storage unit) is preferable to having it dispersed throughout your house, in various closets and garages. This is especially important when it comes to storing anything that is combustible, such as a propane tank; you don’t want items like these in garages, where the temperature could get hot. US Storage Centers in Memphis Taking good care of your camping equipment will help ensure that it lasts you a lifetime. At our Memphis storage facility, we help many campers each year keep their equipment protected, rodent-free, and ready to use the following summer. Contact us today to discuss our facilities and how we can help. American Mini Storage 6105 Apple Tree Drive Memphis, TN 38115 (901) 206-2034
