How to Prep Your Summer Gear for Winter Storage

When winter approaches, we know it is time to put away summer clothes and everything else that is no longer in season. It is, however, not enough to put these items in storage; you must also prepare them for the cold so they are in good condition for the next season.

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Apart from keeping your things in perfect condition throughout the winter, another benefit of putting them away properly is eliminating clutter and making room for the new season's activities. 

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Fortunately, everything you own can find its place with Webfoot's Custom Storage Solutions, regardless of how much property you have and how little your space appears.

How to Have a Place for Everything with Webfoot Custom Storage Solutions

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You may have so many items with various storage needs, making it look like you can only possibly store some of them. That’s where Webfoot comes in. 

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With a wide range of storage options—custom cabinets, wall-mounted systems, overhead shelving, vertical garage storage, and workbenches— you not only have room to store everything, but you’ll also get rid of clutter and add a great level of aesthetically-pleasing appearance to your living space. 

Let have a look at some ideas for preparing your summer gear for winter storage and how some of our custom storage units can help.

Summer Clothes

Probably one of the first items you’ll think of storing away as winter draws near, right? But how do you prep them, so they don’t get damaged in storage? Here are some tips:

• Wash and repair: Never store dirty or torn clothes, as they may look worse at the end of the winter. Wash all stained clothes, and mend any torn pieces before storage. 
• Use proper storage units: Breathable storage units protect clothes from pests such as rodents, moths, and flies. In this case, you can use plastic containers, suitcases, fabric bags, or vacuum-sealed plastic bags. 
• Use pest repellant: Despite your best efforts, bugs and rodents may try to settle on your clothes. But don’t worry; you can ward them off by adding cedar and mothballs to your clothes. These repellents will also keep your clothes fresh throughout the storage period.
• Choose the right storage location: After packing them in storage containers, choose a location for your clothes. Keep your garments in cold, dry, dark places for optimal results. For instance, large Webfoot cabinets are perfect for accommodating plastic bins full of clothing.

We’ve put together 10 tips for storing your summer clothes in the winter. Check them out here.

Beach Gear

Items such as towels, chairs, toys, folding grills, sun hats, tents, and bags should be dry and free of sand before they are stored in garage cabinets, mesh baskets or plastic containers. This will prevent the growth of mold, mildew, and other harmful agents that could damage them. You can also use moisture protectants to keep the storage area dry. 

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Optimized storage units such as Webfoot custom cabinets ensure that all your beach gear will be in good condition next summer.

Water Vessels

Canoes and kayaks are expensive, so you must take every measure to ensure their safety during winter. Here’s what to do:

• Wash: Before storing your boat, canoe, or kayak, wash them to prevent the harmful effects of water minerals and the growth of mold, mildew, and microbes. Also, ensure your water vessel is completely dry before storing it.
• Conduct maintenance: Check and confirm that all pedals, cables, perimeter lines, and bungees are in good condition, and replace worn-out parts. Cover the water vessel with a cockpit cover to prevent animals from gaining access and causing damage.
• Use protective spray: If you decide to store your canoe or kayak outside, be sure to give it a UV-protective spray. You can also cover it with a tarp for added UV protection. 

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Outdoor Furniture

Before storing outdoor furniture like garden chairs and benches, the first thing is to wash them and ensure they’re free of any filth they may have accumulated during summer. Then, let them dry before taking them in. 

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To prevent moisture buildup and subsequent damage, sprinkle some baking soda on your furniture, especially if they’re made from canvas. You should also cover your stored furniture with a tarp to prevent dust accumulation over winter. 

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Camping Gear

Equipment such as sleeping bags, tents, tarps, camping chairs and tables, lamps, and other items, must be clean and dry before storage, just like beach equipment. This will prevent them from rusting and protect their structural integrity from the cold.

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Choosing an optimal garage storage solution like Webfoot cabinets will ensure the safety of your camping equipment throughout the winter, as they are designed to secure your contents over extended periods and in adverse weather conditions.

Gardening Tools

Since most gardening tools are made of metal, you should protect them from rusting in storage during winter. Clean them and coat the metal parts with oil or spray them with lubricants. You can also apply linseed oil to the handles to prevent insect damage. 

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Also, check your gardening tools for loose bolts and nuts, cracked parts, and other structural deficiencies, and fix them. It’s also good pre-storage practice to sharpen all worn metal parts and smoothen all rough wooden parts. After prepping them for winter storage, you can keep your gardening tools in Webfoot slat walls for maximum safety.

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Motorized Equipment

You cannot afford to store large motorized machinery, like lawnmowers, without first winterizing them. Specific maintenance procedures are required to guarantee equipment safety during winter storage and complete efficiency in the fall or summer. Some of these procedures are highlighted below:

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• Empty the fuel tanks, so they don’t freeze. Crank the engine several times to ensure you get all the fuel out. 
• Perform regular maintenance checks to ensure the machinery is in good working order. Any simple problems you don’t spot and fix may get complex during winter.
• Sharpen all blades before storage 
• Check if the equipment has tires, and ensure they’re well-gauged. 
• Lubricate the moving parts as instructed in the equipment’s manufacturer’s instruction manual 

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Fishing Gear

For fishing gear, take apart their rods and clean them with water and mild soap. Next, use an air compressor to clean reels and lubricate moving parts with oil. Before storing, look for broken or worn-out pieces and replace them.  Finally, ensure that your fishing accessories are dry before storing them away.

Enjoy a Peaceful Winter with Proper Storage

It can feel like a Herculean task to get your belongings through the winter in good condition, but it doesn't have to be. By following the tips above and combining them with Webofoot's custom storage solutions, you can relax, enjoy a peaceful winter and look forward to a damage-free summer.

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