Now that your toddler is a teen you have boxes and bins filled with papers, awards, trophies, and more. You want to keep these precious memories, but you don't have the space. Take a look at the often overlooked picks from your child's earlier years that you can put into self-storage.
Trophies and Medals
Does your teen have an over-sized trophy collection, pile of achievement awards, or stack of participation medals? While they may want to keep a few well-deserved trophies in their room, you can safely store the rest of the awards in a rental unit.
Why should you choose a storage unit over the trash? Even though the trophies or medals may seem meaningless to your teen right now, as an adult they may want them to show their own children or just to reflect on their childhood.
Before you store trophies and medals, dust them, clean off debris, and wrap them in towels or another similar cushion. Even though the trophies aren't pure gold and don't hold much in the way of monetary value, they can break easily—especially low-quality or poorly made awards.
Collectible Toys
Your child's wooden train collection has sat in a chest and collected dust for a decade. But that doesn't mean you should throw the toys out. Some toys are possible future collectibles. If you feel the toy may have added value someday, store it in an off-site facility right now. Not only will this clear the clutter from your teen's room, but it will keep the item safe.
Even though the toy isn't worth much now, preserve it for the future properly to get the highest return years from now. If you still have the original packaging, store the toy in this. The box itself is likely to add to the overall value. A self-storage facility can provide the low-moisture, light-free environment the toy needs.
Are you unsure as to whether the toy will increase in value? You can't predict what the future collectible market will look like. But a professional may have the knowledge and expertise to guide you in the right direction. Talk to an antiques or collectible dealer before you decide to discard a potentially valuable toy.
Special Clothing
Does your teen's closet still house their preschool soccer shirt and second grade Halloween costume? While your child won't wear these, and other similar, special clothing items ever again, you don't want to throw away the memories. Special clothing items such as sports/school t-shirts, costumes, gifts, school picture outfits, or holiday-wear are cherished items to preserve.
De-clutter your teen's room and put these special selections into self-storage. T-shirts and casual or non-wrinkle items can go into plastic garbage bags or canvas totes. Formal event items or anything that is delicate or could easily wrinkle requires careful storage. Use a garment box to store these pieces upright in a closet-like way.
Baby Mementos
The newborn cap, baby blanket, and first onesie you took your now-teen home from the hospital in when they were a baby are still in their room. Protect these mementos and make room for everything else your teen needs right now with a simple self-storage solution.
Clean and dry the to-store items completely. Damp fabric can easily grow mold or mildew in storage. Fold blankets, bibs, clothing, burb cloths, hats, or other similar items before you place them in boxes, bins, or bags. Label the box, bin, or bag with an easy-to-understand term such as "Baby Gear" or write your child's name and birth date.
Do you need a self-storage rental as you de-clutter your teen's room? Contact
Tysons Self Storage for more information.
