Americans simply own too much stuff. Instead of stuffing everything into your home, you'll have a much more spacious living space if you rent a storage unit like 1 in 10 Americans. While it's tempting to just throw everything you own into a storage unit, avoid doing so because this will only make finding things you need a nightmare in the future. To confirm that the unit is organized and free of clutter, you should try to clean it up once in awhile. Here are 3 tips that will help you get started.

Remove Items You Haven't Touched in Several Years

Take a quick walk through the unit and browse through the large selection of items that you have crammed into your storage unit. Do you notice that there are some items that you simply haven't touched or even needed in years? It's not uncommon for Americans to store some unneeded items away in their storage unit under the false premise that they might need them again in the future. The truth is that there's a good chance that you'll never need some of those items again. If you haven't touched any of the items in your storage unit for years, it's time to either toss them out or donate them to charity.

Check Structural Integrity of Boxes and Whether They Need to Be Replaced

Lightly pat all of the packed boxes that you store in the unit, and quickly inspect the surfaces for any damage. Over time, cardboard boxes and even plastic boxes may begin to show signs of wear and tear. If you notice that a cardboard box might be feeling a little flimsy and weak or that there are cracks in a plastic box, replace them with a new one. This will help to protect the contents stored within from getting damaged. If you've used cardboard boxes in the past, make sure you choose corrugated ones, as they tend to be more durable and stronger as well.

Determine Whether Items are Placed in the Right Area

When walking through the unit, consider whether there are any items that are placed in incorrect areas. When removing and reorganizing the unit throughout the year, you might have accidentally misplaced a box or two. This is especially common if you were rushed. For example, you might have placed a box of utensils in the clothing section of your storage unit rather than in the section for kitchen appliances and tools. Put misplaced boxes back where they belong.

Conclusion

It's a good idea to keep your storage unit as organized and free of clutter as possible. This helps you not only find your items much more quickly in the future, but also allows you to do inventory much more efficiently. You'll have a good idea if someone went scrummaging through your belongings. Keeping your storage unit clean and organized also helps prevent pests from being able to make a home within your unit. To learn more, contact a company like SaveMor Self Storage LTD.