Do you have some scary things lurking in your storage spaces?

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Fall is the time for festivals, family get togethers and scary things. You might assume I am talking about Halloween but I am talking about something even scarier….the scary things you might find in your storage spaces….eek!

We have all been there. It’s been a year and now you are all set to decorate for the holidays and you summon up the nerve to go up to your attic or down into your basement  (or crawl space…scary!) to grab those Rubbermaid containers full of goodies only to notice the critter party that has taken place while you have been away for the year. Maybe it is something simple like cobwebs and dust or something worse like critter droppings and….hold on to your seats…a critter….eek! Whatever you find, it is time to clear out the area, fix the problem so things wont seem so scary next time.

The first step is to clear out the entire area if that is possible. A cluttered area is the perfect place for bugs and critters to populate and will make regular cleaning a challenge. Take this opportunity to go through what you have stored and organize them in to three piles Trash, Donate, and Keep. Throw out or recycle anything that no longer works. As you go through the rest of your stash,  ask yourself if this is an item that you will use. If you are keeping items that you do not love to possibly use in the future, consider donating it (or even selling it). This method forces you only keep items that are truly useful and well loved,  keeping your unnecessary clutter at bay.

If you are cleaning out a crawl space,  basement, or garage, be sure keep a eye out for mold and foul odors, the most common problem found in these areas due to high levels of moisture and leaks. If you do find evidence of mold or leaks, you should call a disaster specialist to take a look and determine how you should treat, repair and prevent the mold problem before it gets out of hand. Consider maintaining your crawl space every six months to keep the area dry and your items safe. Critters love these areas and might have set up a home as well. Look for physical signs of pest infestation like droppings, insect parts, webs and nesting materials as well as damage to walls and floors. If you find any of these signs, call an exterminator to check out the area. If you see some evidence, chances are there is plenty more you are not seeing. Place bowls of vinegar or a boxes of baking soda around  the area to absorb odors. Replace every few weeks.

You can use the same tips while cleaning out the attic but you will have the additional challenge of moving around, depending on the layout of the space. Clear out the entire area  if possible and bring boxes downstairs to sort into three piles: Trash, Donate, and Keep (be strict…you don’t want to lug stuff you don’t love up that ladder, do you?). Check the entire attic space for critter droppings and damage insulation, walls and flooring. If you see any evidence, call an exterminator. Once you have given the area a careful once over, sweep, vacuum and dust. You might want to wear a face mask as you clean to avoid inhaling dust. This is especially important if you have exposed insulation.

Once you have gone through all of your decorations, holiday items and whatever else you have sorted, it’s time to take out what you need for now and put back the rest! Be sure to replace old, damaged boxes with new, labeled boxes. A better option is to use plastic tubs as a durable way to organize and store items longterm. Storing items in plastic tubs will keep them safe from critters and water if stored on the floor. If you have the option, store tubs on industrial shelving, found in home improvement stores. If you are organizing a garage, mounting items on durable hooks and pegboards are a great way to keep items, safe, dry and organized.

No matter where you store your stuff, it is important to keep it organized, clean and inspected on a routine basis. These steps will ensure you that come October the only scary thing you will find in your storage space is that Christmas sweater Aunt Judy gave you back in 2008.