For an expert opinion on storing baby gear for future children, Storage.com spoke with Crystal Sabalaske, professional organizer and owner of Cluttershrink<\/a> for more than a decade. Crystal is both a mother of two and a contributor to Hint Mama<\/a>. Her informed advice will help you clean, pack, and store clothes, toys, and other important items for a child\u2019s development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Baby clothes<\/a> are some of the most commonly handed-down items between children, so maintaining their quality and cleanliness is important. Crystal suggests your first step should be washing your baby clothes with unscented detergent before storing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe fragrance from scented laundry detergent can attract bugs and rodents,\u201d says Crystal. \u201cSome people feel that unscented laundry detergents don\u2019t clean as well as scented detergents, although I\u2019ve never had an issue.\u201d If you regularly wash with scented detergent, she still recommends putting your baby clothes through a cycle with unscented detergent just before storage for best results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once your clothes are washed and free of scents, fold them to see how much space they take up, then sort them using whatever method works best for you. Sorting by gender is often a good start, and making unisex clothing its own category will allow you to easily get rid of the clothes you won\u2019t need once you know the gender of your next child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Crystal recommends being selective with what you\u2019re keeping if you aren\u2019t planning on having more children: \u201cIf you are saving baby clothes to preserve \u2018precious memories\u2019 or to pass onto grandchildren, only keep the most treasured items. Most people don\u2019t have the space to keep everything.\u201d She recommends sorting clothing by child rather than by gender if you\u2019re storing it for this purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once your clothing is clean, folded, and sorted, Crystal recommends packing it into plastic storage tubs with lids for easy organization<\/a>. Clearly labeling these containers by the categories you\u2019ve sorted the clothing into\u2013whether you\u2019ve sorted by gender, size, or type of clothing item\u2013will help you find the right articles later on with a minimum of fuss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPlastic storage containers with lids work well in most scenarios because they can hold a lot, are stackable, and resistant to pests,\u201d Crystal says. These containers provide better protection from pests and humid conditions than cardboard boxes, which are prone to breaking down and attracting insects and rodents with their glue over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For much longer-term storage, you may want to look into acid-free boxes: \u201cIf items will be in storage for years, and we\u2019re talking many years, there are acid-free storage boxes as well.\u201d Clothing is prone to yellowing over time, and there are some concerns with plastic storage containers releasing damaging gases into the air if stored for an extended period, so acid-free boxes are worth considering if these worry you. However, you shouldn\u2019t store acid-free boxes in humid environments; moisture in the air can cause mold growth and damage the boxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Crystal stands by using plastic containers for long-term storage: \u201cDon\u2019t fret over using plastic storage containers. I\u2019ve had some items in storage for seven years already and haven\u2019t had any issues.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may also be considering using vacuum bags to store your baby clothes and save space; however, Crystal doesn\u2019t recommend using these in most cases. \u201cSpace bags are recommended only if you are storing them in places that aren\u2019t prone to humidity,\u201d she says. \u201cClothes actually need room to \u2018breathe\u2019 and vacuum seal bags don\u2019t allow for that. However, for short-term storage<\/a> (1-3 months) in moderate temperatures of 60-75 degrees, vacuum-seal bags would be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re worried about acid, mold, or yellowing, you can wrap your clothes in acid-free paper before putting them in a plastic bin for maximum protection, or better yet, look into a climate controlled self storage unit<\/a> to store your baby clothes in a predictable environment: \u201cThe cost to rent such a unit will be cheaper than replacing damaged items,\u201d Crystal says. These units will keep your baby clothes at a steady temperature and humidity level, allowing them to breathe throughout their time in storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You most likely have much larger items on hand than just baby clothes, and according to Crystal, \u201canything big\u201d that your baby uses is worth renting a larger storage unit<\/a> for. \u201cCribs, bassinets, swings, high chairs\u2014because space limitations often determine what can be saved,\u201d she says. \u201cAssembled items are also difficult to stack, and therefore take up a lot of floor space.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n When storing larger items, it\u2019s worth examining what they\u2019re made of to see whether or not you require climate control: \u201cIt\u2019s not as much of a concern for some of the larger plastic items as it is for wood items,\u201d Crystal says. Plastic items are more resistant to mold, mildew<\/a>, and warping from temperature and humidity, but wooden items are more susceptible to environmental damage and are worth investing in a climate controlled facility to protect them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also worth looking into storage unit security features<\/a>, as large and expensive items intended for babies and parents can be attractive to thieves. These features should include electronic gate access, video surveillance, and strong locks<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Crystal, figuring out how soon you\u2019re planning to have your next child is an important factor in deciding what to store: \u201cMany people want to store pieces of baby equipment for a future child. If you plan to have a child within the next few years, this may make sense. However, if you plan on waiting several years, I would not recommend it.\u201d Over a longer time, changes in safety regulations and recalls can make the items you\u2019re storing obsolete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Car seats in particular shouldn\u2019t be kept for long term storage<\/a>. \u201cCar seats expire after 5 years, regardless of whether or not the car seat was used often,\u201d Crystal says. \u201cEven if it was never involved in an accident.\u201d She only recommends storing these seats if your next child will be very close in age to your previous child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As with clothes, the first step before storing a baby swing or rocker is to wash and dry whatever parts you can: \u201cIf possible, wash any fabric parts in a washing machine and air dry,\u201d Crystal recommends. \u201cIf that is not possible, wash the surface and air dry in the sun\/heat to disinfect.\u201d You should wipe down harder surfaces with a child-safe surface cleaner and make sure it\u2019s properly dried before you store it to prevent mold and mildew from growing on surfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have the space, you can sometimes get away with leaving the item intact and simply covering it while it\u2019s in storage: \u201cIn some cases, depending on the length of storage time required, it may be easier to cover the item with a white cotton sheet than it is to disassemble the items,\u201d Crystal says. However, if you need to save space in your unit<\/a>, take the item apart and store it in a clearly labeled plastic bin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Baby cribs are tempting to save for a future child\u2013they can be large and expensive, and buying a new one is a significant investment. However, if you\u2019re planning to save your crib, research whether it\u2019s still up to child safety standards: \u201cMy children are less than 2 years apart, and during that time, the crib safety guidelines changed, so I was unable to use my daughter\u2019s crib for my son,\u201d says Crystal. \u201cThe distance between slates, materials used to finish the wood on cribs, and the use of drop-down sides are reasons cribs quickly become outdated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your crib is expected to stand the test of time, the first step is to take pictures of it before you take it apart so you can remember what it looks like when assembled. Crystal recommends labeling each piece with a tie-on tag or label to prevent residue and help you remember how to put it back together later. You should also keep smaller screws and hardware in plastic bags labeled with a permanent marker, then put these bags in a separate, clearly labeled plastic container alongside pictures of the assembled crib and\u2013if you have them\u2013assembly instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Crystal recommends machine-washing your crib\u2019s mattress pad and wiping down the mattress surface with a child-safe cleaner. It\u2019s also worth vacuuming fabric mattresses to keep dirt away. Once you\u2019ve washed and dried everything, wrap your mattress in plastic or store it in a mattress storage bag<\/a>, and keep it flat to maintain its integrity. Mattress pads can be wrapped and stored in the same box as the crib parts if there is room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many smaller pieces of baby equipment, such as high chairs and changing tables, will benefit from the above tips for swings and cribs. Always check to make sure these items are covered by current child safety standards before storing them, then clean them as directed above: \u201cHigh chairs should be treated the same as baby swings. Clean all surfaces, air dry, disassemble if space is needed, or cover in a white cotton sheet or cloth if keeping assembled. It\u2019s best to store the user manual\/instructions with each item, and it helps to put the instructions in a plastic bag and tape them directly to the item.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other smaller items and parts, such as bouncy seats and portable booster seats, should be disinfected and stored in large plastic containers\u2013Crystal recommends extra large 50-gallon totes that you can find at most hardware stores. However, some items, such as bathtubs, shouldn\u2019t be kept for a long time: \u201cBath tubs tend to get moldy due to the non-slip bumps and stickers on the bottom and inside of the tub,\u201d she says. \u201cIf there are any signs of resistant mold, do not keep or store a tub.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Electronic items, such as toys and baby monitors, need special care before storage if they have internal batteries. Take the batteries out of items if you are able and store them without them, as heat and humidity can cause these batteries to expand or corrode, damaging the items and potentially damaging other items in your unit. If you can\u2019t remove the internal battery from an item, consider a climate controlled storage unit<\/a> to minimize the potential of temperature or moisture damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Children\u2019s toys are easy to clean, store, and pass down<\/a> to future children. \u201cThe toys that most people keep are the classics,\u201d Crystal says. \u201cLegos, Little People, Tinker Toys, Matchbox cars, Barbies, etc.\u201d She says all saved toys should be cleaned prior to storage, and most can be disinfected with a simple bleach and water solution. \u201cOthers, like Legos and other hard, solid plastics, can be put in a small mesh bag and run through the top rack of a dishwasher,\u201d she adds. Disinfecting and washing toys will help kill bacteria, and making sure they\u2019re dry before storage will prevent mold and mildew from growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, Crystal recommends inspecting any toys that a previous child may have chewed on. If there are cracks or chew marks present, you may want to throw the toy out\u2013bacteria tends to linger in difficult-to-reach cracks and crevices. According to Crystal, musical toys and rattles are also best left out of storage as they are regularly updated with safer materials and more features. \u201cThese are typically the toys that should not be saved because they are so easily replaced and not often expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you plan on saving stuffed animals for a future child, or even as mementos, Crystal recommends putting them through the washing machine if possible, as most fabric toys are simple to clean on a wash cycle. \u201cBut if a stuffed animal is not washer-friendly,\u201d she adds, \u201cyou can put the stuffed animal in a sealed plastic bag in the freezer for 24 hours to \u2018disinfect\u2019 it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once all your toys of all types are cleaned and dried, they\u2019re best stored in a plastic bin that allows some air to flow through, preventing mold and moisture damage. However, climate controlled storage units are still the best option for many plastic and wooden toys, regardless of what protections you take: \u201cI do not recommend storing any plastic or wood toys in a storage unit prone to high or low temperatures and humidity,\u201d Crystal says. Plastic toys, in particular, can crack or melt when exposed to heat, and even fabric toys can develop mold if moisture is allowed to linger on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve prepared, cleaned, and packed all your baby gear and rented a storage unit<\/a>, Crystal recommends a few steps to best organize the items within: store similar items close to each other, and put items you\u2019ll need sooner near the front of the unit. She also recommends covering larger baby furniture with sheets\u2013this not only can protect them from dust and dirt, but can also allow you to stack your storage bins on top of furniture to save space without damaging the furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlways leave a few feet in the front and middle of the storage unit if possible,\u201d she adds, \u201cSo you have some room to move things from side to side if you should need to access something toward the back of the unit.\u201d Finally, she recommends keeping a comprehensive list of every item<\/a> and bin you have stored in the unit, along with notes for where each item is stored so you can find anything you need quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even after everything is in storage, it\u2019s best to look in on your unit every once in a while to examine and clean your belongings. \u201cI always recommend visiting the storage facility at least once a month to check on items,\u201d Crystal says. When visiting, be sure to check your items for any obvious dust or dirt, and examine the unit for signs of leakage or pests\u2013a reputable storage facility shouldn\u2019t have these issues, but if they do, they\u2019ll take steps to fix them as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re ready to get items out of storage, look them over for any damage, dirt, or pests. Make sure you dust, vacuum, wash, disinfect, or otherwise clean every item in your unit before using it again to protect your new child from bacteria, rashes, or irritation. You should also make sure that wood and plastic toys, cribs, or other items haven\u2019t been warped or damaged by the environment if you haven\u2019t used a climate controlled unit<\/a>\u2013warping can harm the structural integrity of a crib, making it a risk for your child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Self storage is an excellent solution if you need to store baby gear for a future child<\/a>. Cleaning, disassembling, and organizing items before you store them will help you save time and money on storage, and investing in a climate controlled storage unit will protect any delicate items from environmental damage. There\u2019s a lot more to storing baby gear in a storage unit than simply throwing it in there and locking the door. It\u2019s actually a particular process, depending on what it is you choose to store. But if you plan on having more kids, saving as much as you can from your first child is definitely the way to go. See what advice owner of Cluttershrink, Crystal Sabalaske, has to offer!\t\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":13247,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13088","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-self-storage"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nStoring Baby Clothes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Pile](\"https:\/\/www.storage.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/shutterstock_2303894969-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPreparing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Packing and storing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Storing Baby Gear: Large Equipment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.storage.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/shutterstock_2288143703-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nGeneral storage considerations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Swings and rockers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cribs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Storing Baby Gear: Small Equipment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.storage.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/shutterstock_1947181279-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStoring Toys<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.storage.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/shutterstock_2461144271.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOrganizing Your Unit to Store Baby Gear<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.storage.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/shutterstock_2455852203-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCaring for Baby Gear<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ready to take the next step and find the right storage unit for you? Storage.com<\/a> can help! Use our search tool<\/a> to find nearby self storage facilities within your budget, or give us a call at 833-372-9881<\/a> to speak directly with one of our self storage experts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"