Winter Is Coming: What to Store Before the Cold Hits

October is the last easy window before winter weather makes things harder. A little prep now, while it's still comfortable to spend an afternoon in the garage, saves real scrambling later.

Outdoor furniture and grills.

Cold, wet weather is hard on cushions, wood, and metal alike. Clean and dry everything before storing to avoid mildew, and consider a cover even inside the unit for extra protection. For grills, give the grates a final cleaning and disconnect or empty propane tanks. It's important to note that most facilities don't allow full propane tanks to be stored, so check your lease terms before move-in.

Lawn and garden equipment.

Mowers and trimmers should be drained of fuel or treated with a stabilizer before long-term storage as sitting gas can gum up an engine over the winter and make spring start-up a hassle. Hoses should be drained completely to avoid cracking if temperatures drop below freezing, and any standing water in sprinkler attachments or watering cans should be emptied too.

Seasonal vehicles.

Motorcycles, boats, and RVs that won't be used again until spring benefit from covered or enclosed storage rather than sitting outside through winter weather. If you're storing a vehicle for months, top off fluids, disconnect the battery or use a trickle charger, and check tire pressure before you park it. A breathable cover protects against dust without trapping moisture underneath.

Fragile and sentimental items.

If your garage or attic swings wildly in temperature, this is a good time to move delicate items like holiday ornaments, photo albums, wood furniture, and musical instruments into a climate-controlled unit where they're protected from both heat and cold extremes. These are often the hardest items to replace, so it's worth the extra care.

Give yourself buffer time.

Facilities tend to see a rush of fall move-ins as the weather turns, so securing a unit now rather than waiting until the first cold snap means better availability, more choice in unit size, and less stress trying to coordinate a move-in during bad weather.

A bit of October prep means less to worry about once winter actually arrives, and gear that's in better shape when you pull it back out next spring!

Find an Osprey Storage location near you and get your unit ready for the season ahead.