All Hallows’ Eve has come to a close. The kids (and you) have had their fill of candy and reruns of Hocus Pocus, and now it’s time to clean up all your spooky décor in preparation for the next big holiday. But before you go tossing everything in the attic or basement, check out these tips on how to properly and safely store your Halloween decorations so you can keep using them year after year.
Throw Out Anything Perishable
Never try to store edible décor, whether it be candy, gourds, or ears of corn. Food items are prohibited from being kept in a storage unit since they attract pests. Why invite the same risk into your home? Plus, anything fresh will smell of rot and mold after a while. No, thank you! What you don’t eat should be disposed of. If you live near a wooded area, cut a hole into the base of your pumpkins and toss them or other produce into the wild. The squirrels and birds definitely won’t let it go to waste.
If you plan on storing décor at home that consists of dried foods, like pasta or pumpkin seeds, make sure you use airtight storage containers. Snap the lid tightly into place to prevent insects and rodents from sniffing out your kid’s macaroni art project as a snack.
Sort By Category
Just like with organizing anything, sort your Halloween decorations into categories, depending on whether they’re string lights, yard inflatables, party favors, and more. Separate your indoor decorations from your outdoor decorations and keep as much as you can in itemized bins so you won’t have to dig through for things the following year. Never combine decorations for different holidays in the same containers—trust us. You’ll think you’re saving space, but future you will thank past you when you don’t waste time finding what you need.
It’s also a great idea to go through items as you categorize them. Determine what you really want to keep and what can be tossed or donated. For example, if decorations are broken and aren’t worth fixing, they probably aren’t worth keeping. Unless it’s been in the family for generations, consider throwing out the damaged items and donating anything you aren’t sure you want to reuse. Decluttering will give you more room to store what you do keep or stock up on post-holiday sale items.
Store Decorations Room by Room
If you’re one of the people who go nuts and decorate every room of the house, good on you! However, packing everything up after can be a drag. One way to make things easier is to organize your boxes and bins room by room. This way, items in the same room stay together, and you can remember where everything goes. Just don’t forget to label your boxes before putting them in storage! You can also make your containers easier to identify by putting decorations back in their original boxes (this can save time and money if you have large or oddly-shaped decorations), using clear bins, or color coding. For example, using black and orange lids or labels for Halloween.
Wrap fragile items in packing paper or bubble wrap, and store glitter-covered items in bags to avoid the mess. Archival boxes are great for preventing paper decorations from yellowing or fading. You can also use a storage reel to prevent string lights from tangling. Tip: keep any hardware, like hooks, bolts, and fasteners, in a separate container or bag. These small items can easily get lost in a container full of other things. Separating these tiny bits can make decorating a lot easier when you need to unpack everything again.
Identify Items That Need Climate Controlled Storage
While many decorations will do just fine if stored in a garage, some items need more regulated temperatures. Things like candles, pictures, and electronics are susceptible to extreme heat and cold and can be damaged by fluctuating temperatures or humidity. If you don’t have the space inside your home, consider renting a climate controlled storage unit. This type of storage unit is kept within a consistent temperature range and is designed to help prevent temperature-sensitive items from melting, warping, fading, or cracking. So, if you want your decorations to last, be sure to pay attention to what kind of storage would be best.
Protect Your Halloween Costumes
Good Halloween costumes aren’t cheap. And even if you took the less expensive route and made your own or costumes for your kids, don’t let your hard work go to waste with moth-eaten cloth, dust, or mildew. Reuse costumes and costume parts by storing them in garment bags, especially if they’re bulky, or neatly folding them in airtight bins. Never store a costume in a plastic bag, as this can trap moisture. Ensure you carefully wash or dry clean any costumes before storing them to remove sweat and stains. Storing a costume as-is can lock in stains, even if they weren’t visible before. That’s one horror you won’t want to uncover the night before a Halloween party.
Alternatively, if you don’t plan on wearing something again or your kids will outgrow their costumes by the following year, consider donating any that are in good condition. If your excitable kid refused to take their costume off for a week or got a little too into the candy and the damage is irreparable, consider repurposing it. Depending on the fabric, you can upcycle scraps to make decorations or other craft projects. They can even be used as cleaning rags.
Get Self Storage for Overflow Items
Let’s be real; any true Halloween lover picks up a few new decorations each year, whether from an online shopping recommendation or an in-store impulse buy. And with each new decoration comes the issue of storage once the season is over. Figuring out an organizing system that works for you isn’t too hard. Finding a place for everything is another story. If you’re sensing your home is haunted by seasonal clutter, it might be time to consider renting self storage. Especially if it’s becoming harder to keep items organized.
Prime Storage is the ideal affordable storage solution, with locations across the U.S. We offer a wide range of sizes and amenities at our facilities, so you can choose a storage unit based on your specific needs. Plus, our month-by-month leases mean you can store for as little or as long as you like. So, keep your skeletons out of the closet and put them in a storage unit instead!
