Tips for Storing Baby Things for Your Next Child
Parents who plan to have more children often place their baby’s things in storage until their next little one arrives. Placing baby toys and clothes in storage is an excellent way to save space at home. If you’re planning to put baby things in storage soon, these tips can help you keep them accessible and in good condition.
Sort and Purge
Not all baby toys or clothes are worth saving, and purging items will help save space in your storage unit. Sort through your baby’s items. Purge anything with missing pieces, anything that is broken, faded, torn, stained, or not likely to last through another child.
Keep anything made from good quality materials, and anything that your first children especially liked. You’ll also have to decide if an item is worth saving based on its size, and how much it cost. Big items take up more space in the unit and may prevent you from saving several smaller items. This must be considered as you decide what to keep and what to give away.
Clean Everything
Babies can be messy. Clean all toys and clothes before placing them into storage. Launder all clothing, blankets, and stuffed animals. Dirty items made of wood or plastic should be cleaned with a solution of water and vinegar (in equal parts). Allow the vinegar and water mixture to sit on the item, and then wipe it clean with a rag. Wash any baby bottles in warm, soapy water.
Dry everything thoroughly before beginning to pack up. Never put anything damp into a box and then place it in storage; storing damp items can cause a mold or mildew problem in your storage facility.
Make Boxes Easy to Find
Put labels on every box, on all four sides. Put all the boxes together in the storage unit, and keep them separate from seasonal items that will be removed and put back on a regular basis. If the baby boxes become mixed up with seasonal boxes, they’re likely to be separated and pushed into different parts of the storage facility, which could make them hard to find later on.
If you have items that cater to different genders, put blue stickers on boxes with boy items and pink stickers on boxes with girl items. The stickers allow you to label the boxes quickly without forcing you to write the word “girl” and “boy” repeatedly.
Wrap Baby Bottles in Bubble Wrap and Baby Blankets
Baby bottles (especially glass bottles) need special care, or they will likely break in storage. Wrap baby bottles in bubble wrap, and then pad the spaces between bottles with baby blankets. Stuffed animals also make excellent padding. Put the wrapped up baby bottles in boxes first, then fill the empty spaces between bottles with stuffed animals.
Label the boxes as “fragile” and place them at the top of the stacks in the storage facility. Keep baby bottle nipples in the same boxes as the baby bottles, to make unpacking easier when the time comes.
Disassemble Toy Furniture Before Placing in Storage
Whether you’re storing a toddler-sized chair or a chest that holds baby toys, furniture takes up a lot of room. Disassemble anything that can be taken apart. Place all screws and furniture pins in a baggie and attach the baggie to the disassembled pieces.
Place the pieces in a box, or lean the pieces against the wall of your storage unit. To prevent the pieces from becoming scratched, wrap them in a baby blanket or in furniture pads.
If you’re concerned about your ability to reassemble the furniture when it’s time to put it back together, make a video of yourself taking the furniture apart. Watching this will help jog your memory when you’re ready to use the furniture again.
Find a Reputable Mini Storage
It’s especially important for baby clothes, toys, bottles, and furniture to be in good condition for your new baby. Mold, mildew, and pests can ruin your baby things, and may even threaten the health of your baby if you use contaminated items unknowingly.
The best way to ensure that your baby things will be protected from mold and pests is to find a mini storage company that provides a safe environment for your things. Get referrals from people you trust when the time comes to pick a mini storage, or ask for references from the mini storage you’re considering. Tour the facilities before signing a lease.
When touring the facilities, ask about their pest control measures. Pay close attention to the condition of the building. Look for any signs of leaks or moisture problems.
For more information about how you can place your baby items in storage, contact a reputable mini storage facility in your area. At North Star Mini Storage, we’re happy to answer your questions and provide you with tips. Call us today for more information.
