Winter brings unique challenges for stored items: moisture from melting snow, freezing and thawing cycles, pests seeking shelter, and temperature swings that can damage furniture, electronics, documents, and business equipment. Whether you’re a homeowner storing holiday décor, seasonal gear or off-site items, or a business tenant making room for inventory or equipment, preparing your unit now can save time, hassle and costly damage later. In this article we’ll cover why prepping your storage unit matters, give you a full checklist to work through, and offer special tips for both residential and business storage users.
When you tuck items away for winter, you might think “out of sight, out of mind” — but winter’s elements don’t stop just because your belongings are hidden. Cold temperatures combined with humidity can lead to condensation, which may cause mildew, warping of wood furniture, rusting of metal parts, cracking of batteries or electronics, or moisture penetration in boxes. Pests often look for warm, dry spaces in winter, so storage units can become targets for rodents or insects. For businesses, equipment downtime, damage to inventory or disruption of access can have real cost implications. Properly winterizing your unit means you’ll be better positioned to retrieve, deploy or reorganize items when you need them.
Simply put: a little prepping now means fewer headaches and less risk when the cold months arrive.
Here’s a comprehensive checklist you can follow to winter-proof your storage unit.
1. Clean and Dry Everything
Make sure all items are completely dry before storing — moisture trapped in fabrics or furniture will expand when frozen, causing damage. Wipe down electronics, appliances or tools before storage.
Vacuum or wipe furniture, remove any food or perishable items.
2. Choose the Right Packing Materials
Use plastic bins or sealed containers rather than bare cardboard boxes for items susceptible to moisture.
For furniture or delicate items, wrap with breathable covers (not plastic sheeting directly on wood furniture) to prevent condensation. Add moisture absorbers (silica gel packets, dehumidifier packs, charcoal) for units that aren’t climate-controlled.
3. Elevate and Organize Items
Use pallets, shelving or risers to keep items off the floor — cold floors and fluctuating temperatures can damage cardboard boxes and furniture.
Organize with an accessible layout: put items you may need to access during winter near the front of the unit.
Label boxes clearly, keep an inventory list so you know what’s stored where.
4. Consider Climate-Control or Insulation
If you’re storing temperature-sensitive items (electronics, antiques, delicate fabrics), a climate-controlled unit is worth considering.
If not, make sure your unit is sealed, with minimal drafts, gaps, or exposure to outside elements.
5. Secure and Weather-proof the Unit
Use a weatherproof, all-weather lock (standard locks may freeze up).
Inspect the unit for cracks, gaps or drafts in walls, doors or roll-ups. Seal as needed.
Make sure your storage facility has proper access (cleared snow/ice, safe walkways) if you will access your unit during winter.
6. Protect Against Pests
Remove any food, scented items, or materials that might attract insects or rodents.
Place pest repellents (like peppermint oil, dryer sheets) or traps.
Check your unit occasionally for signs of activity: mouse droppings, gnawed materials, etc.
7. Document and Check Regularly
Take photos of your unit contents and how they were stored for future reference.
Plan periodic checks: even if you won’t open the unit often, a quarterly glance ensures everything remains in order.
Set reminders in your calendar to inspect the unit and ensure snow/ice around access points hasn’t blocked your entry.
8. Final Walk-Through
Ensure pathways in the unit are clear so you can access boxes if needed.
Leave space for air circulation — don’t pack too tightly to unit walls.
Make sure your facility contact info and any required paperwork (insurance, access instructions) is up to date.
If you’re storing off-season items from your home (holiday décor, patio furniture, lawn equipment, seasonal clothing), here are some extra considerations:
Group items by season (summer vs winter gear) so you can access the correct ones easily.
Label boxes with both contents and “season” to avoid digging through everything next spring.
Store heavy items at floor level and lighter boxes on top so you’re not lifting awkwardly in cold conditions.
If you stored garden or patio furniture, ensure it was clean and dry before storage — leftover moisture will freeze, expand and damage surfaces.
For clothing or textiles, vacuum-sealed bags are a good option to reduce space and protect from moisture — but be sure the items are clean and completely dry to avoid mildew.
Remember: if you’ll access your items during winter (holiday décor retrieval, seasonal gear), plan your layout so those boxes are front-facing and easy to reach.
If you’re storing business equipment, inventory or seasonal stock, certain additional steps apply:
Clearly separate “frequently accessed” inventory vs long-term winter storage stock, and place the frequent-use items near the front.
For equipment with electronics or batteries, remove batteries if possible or place them in insulated containers to prevent cold-temperature damage.
Label all boxes with business name, contents, date stored and intended next-use date. This will help when you resume operations in spring or need to access something during winter.
Consider climate-controlled space if you store temperature-sensitive goods (for example: paper inventory, high-end electronics, delicate fabrics).
Make sure your business has emergency access in case you need to retrieve an item unexpectedly during winter — check facility hours, snow/ice clearance and access policies.
Keep a digital inventory backed up and track where items are located in your unit map—this helps you avoid digging through the unit in cold, poorly lit conditions.
If you’re storing business signage, marketing materials or display units outdoors temporarily, ensure they’re cleaned, wrapped or covered and stored off-ground to avoid snow/ice damage.
Winterizing your storage unit is about foresight, good organization and choosing the right materials. It doesn’t need to be overly complicated or expensive — even simple steps like elevating items, using moisture absorbers, labeling boxes and keeping an inventory list will pay dividends. By doing this now, you’ll enjoy peace of mind through the colder months and avoid unpleasant surprises when spring comes around. If you’re currently renting a unit with APR Storage (or looking for one), let us know how we can assist with supplies, climate-controlled options or planning your layout for winter access. Your stored items deserve the same care you’d give them at home or in your business space.
Stay warm, stay organized, and you’ll step into spring ready — no stress, no damage.
