How to Clean Out a Storage Unit.

Do you want to get rid of storage unit items? These steps will show you how to clean out a storage unit and quickly filter through unwanted debris.

Are you familiar with the chaos associated with cleaning a storage unit? Cleaning and emptying a storage unit you've inherited, won at auction, or haven't seen in years isn't always an exciting task.

We'll show you an effective way to clean a storage unit, consider donating or selling items, and how get rid of whatever's left.

Prep Work: Clean Out Storage Unit.

Make an inventory of the contents of the storage device.

The first thing you should do is scan the unit and make an immediate inventory of what is inside. This step applies regardless of whether you inherited a storage space, got it at auction or had it for several months. If you won the unit at auction, you may need to do this process quickly and in less detail.

Consider the following steps to evaluate the device:

Write down what you see. Hold a pen and paper on hand and note down any large objects that you can see immediately. Count the number of boxes and write down how many you need to sort to estimate how much time it takes to remove. Do you need extra people? This inventory will help you answer that question.
Create an open space outside or inside the unit. If space is limited, carve out a free corner that will be your treatment area for step three. If there is no space inside the unit, you can set up a temporary pop-up canopy and process objects outside the space. Remember that you need to clean out your unit and pick up your mess during office hours. You can not block someone else's device with your stuff.
Look inside available boxes. Open as many boxes as possible and make a quick inventory of the content. Skip this step if the boxes are already checked. If you see something valuable, delicate, or otherwise important, make quick notes next to each box.
Having a rough inventory before you start sorting the items will help you know what work you have in front of you.

Hire help from friends and plan a day to cope.

To reduce the chance of being overwhelmed, it is important to prepare yourself for what is to come. Choose a time to clean and come back equipped with moving supplies, garbage bags, labels and sorting bags.

Before cleaning the unit, keep the following in mind:

How much time do you need? Overestimate here. You may need more than one day to clean the storage unit properly. Then plan so that you have all the time you need and more to devote to the job.

What rules apply to auctions in storage units?

You may need to clear the unit immediately and sort the items in a separate location.

How many people do I really need? It can be good to have more than one person on hand. Ask for help in advance and make sure you have all the support you need, which means both emotional support and a little extra muscle.

Do I have an emotional connection to any of the stuff? Remember that cleaning sentimental items can be an overwhelming process. This response is natural, so do not beat yourself up if you become emotional if you inherited a storage device or used one to store items from a loved one.

3. Sort things into categories like keep, sell, throw.

The Four-Box Declutter method is an efficient way to sort and clean objects on a large scale. The starting point behind this technology is to use four empty boxes for sorting - one container, throw, donate/sell and store the box.

The storage box contains items that you can remove from your storage device and take home.
The store box sorts things that will be stored.
You will have a sales box for items that you plan to sell or donate.
The last box is a toss box that contains everything that breaks.

4. Continue with the task and get the job done.

The biggest cleaning error for the storage unit not doing the job within the scheduled time frame. If you have gone through the steps above and are stuck, you may want to hire a professional interstate removalist in Melbourne. Someone who clears out areas to support will keep you on task and help you get distracted. Even task-oriented people can be sidetracked.

Professional removalists are especially helpful in cleaning goods. Because the professional has no connection to the items in your storage device, they can help you make rational decisions about whether to keep, dispose of, sell, or donate an item in question.

Here are some important tips to keep in mind when passing through:

Do not take on large areas in a random fashion. Start with one small area at a time and finish sorting before moving on to another.
Find out everything you delete from the storage unit. If you are cleaning the storage for good, you can consider moving storage boxes to a garage or basement.
Challenge yourself to get rid of debris and unnecessary items. Try not to transport too many things at home. Think about how you can get rid of things so that you do not create a mess elsewhere.

related article: Our Top Packing and Storage Tips.

5. Find creative ways to get rid of storage unit material.

If you have many valuable items, it may make sense to rent the storage unit for another month while you sell some items. If you followed the steps above, you should have the storage unit organized into four sections (throw, keep, store, sell/donate). When the arrangement is ready, it's time to remove everything.

Consider moving items in the following order:

First, remove all trash from the unit. If you have far too much waste for the landfill in place, proceed to step seven.
For donation items, contact a local store to book a free pickup. A landfill should be your last resort for things that can still be used or reused. If there are only a few donation items, load them into your car and drop them off at a donation site.
Then load your vehicle. Include all items that go home with you, including things you keep or putting into storage.

Finally, move all sales items to a place for further processing. You can store them in the storage unit if you have time left in your rental or move them somewhere outside the facility.

6. Sell items from a storage unit.

There are several ways to sell items from a storage unit. You can sell the entire unit through an auction company, or you can sell each item individually. Famous online sites include Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, and Etsy.

If you prefer the old-fashioned route, you can always create a garage sale. Some storage facilities also do occasional flea markets, so you can ask a storage manager if this is ever an option.

7. Hire a hard rubbish removal company if needed.

Many companies can help you get rid of the contents of the storage unit without having to lift a finger. Hiring someone is especially useful if you do not have someone who can help you or is not physically capable of cleaning yourself.

Our Life Storage team knows who is the best in your area when it comes to cleaning out storage units. Your local Life Storage facility has information on storage cleaning services.