5 Things You Might Be Storing Incorrectly

Published: November 01, 2021

Whether it’s putting milk on the fridge door or keeping red wine on the kitchen counter, some of our poor storage habits can affect the quality of our things.

And it’s not just food that you might be storing incorrectly–it’s everyday items, materials you’re storing temporarily, or even novelty possessions you want to store permanently in storage units.   

Here are five items that are commonly stored incorrectly and tips on how to store them properly to minimize wasted space and prevent permanent damage to your favorite items.

Shoes

While it may seem like a good idea to store your shoes in their original box until you wear them, that habit can actually cause them to lose their shape over time. This is especially true if the shoes are made of leather and you lay them on their side. You can cause even more shoe damage by throwing them at the bottom of your closet because they’ll likely collect dust and scuff marks. 

To keep your shoes looking fresh and new, use shoe trees, boot shapers or foam inserts to help prevent creasing. If you’re storing shoes away between seasons, consider using a clear plastic shoe box that’s large enough to allow each shoe to stand upright.

Electronics

Now, electronics are items that are best kept in their original packaging. To help extend the life of expensive electronics, like computers, TVs and video game systems, you’ll want to keep them in their boxes or containers that are close in size to their original boxes. 

Make sure to store them upright and don’t throw them into the box haphazardly. This will prevent the electronics from getting damaged and encourage you to find any missing pieces to fit the plastic or cardboard inserts that come with the original packaging.

Sweaters

As the seasons change, you’ll likely switch out seasonal items, like sweaters out of storage. The best way to store sweaters in your storage unit or closet, is to neatly fold or roll them and place them in a drawer or plastic container. This will help extend the life of your favorite sweater. If you place them on hangers, they will start to become droopy and misshapen over time.

Sports equipment

If you or your family participates in seasonal sports, you may want to store bulky sports equipment in storage to save space in your home. It’s easy to lose small items, bend or damage equipment, and expose your gear– such as hockey sticks and golf clubs– to dust.  Save your sports equipment by storing them in containers, bags, or coverings to keep items together by sport and help prevent damage.

Purses

Keep your purses looking their best by standing them up on a flat surface and stuffing them with paper to keep their shape. Although it’s convenient to hang purses on hooks by their straps, it causes the straps to stretch and may even cause sections of your purse to crease or crack over time. To further protect your purses, consider storing them in dust bags and make sure to separate purses from each other to prevent the dye on each purse from rubbing against another. 

If you’re planning to store any of your items away for the season or during a planned move, UNITS of Baltimore can deliver a portable storage unit right to your door for you to (properly) store your possessions. 

Give us a call or fill out this form to get a quote for one of our portable storage units that fit your needs.