One of the most popular recreational activities that can be enjoyed during the summer months is camping. Whether you’re planning to visit a designated campground or camp somewhere off the beaten path, camping is a great way to immerse yourself in nature and really appreciate the beauty of what’s around you. However, because camping is typically a seasonal activity, your gear can deteriorate over time if it isn’t stored properly. Some people may have the storage space available to store their camping gear at home while others choose to store their recreational gear in self-storage units like ours until they need it.
Regardless of where you plan to store your camping gear, we’ve put together some tips and tricks for how you can store your camping equipment in the off-season to keep your gear in the best condition possible!
Store Your Camping Gear: Label Plastic Bins for Easy Identification
One of the best ways to store your camping gear is by using large plastic bins, particularly clear ones. Not only do they serve as a catch-all for any loose gear you may have, such as flashlights or cooking utensils, but they are easy to stack, and the clear ones allow you to see exactly what’s been stored inside. Going the extra step and labelling your plastic bins is a great way to keep track of what items are in what bin, which can make it that much easier to find them when the next camping season comes around. Depending on how much camping gear you have, you can have specific bins designated for specific items, such as cooking utensils or small electronics.
Make Sure Your Gear is Dry
At the end of the camping season, it can be tempting to just take all your gear from your last camping trip and immediately put it into storage, but it’s important to take the steps to ensure that all your gear is dry before packing it away. Damp equipment can provide the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, which can result in mould and mildew. Therefore, it’s important to take the time to dry your gear properly before putting it in storage. Run your sleeping bags through the washing machine and lay your tent out flat to dry before rolling them back up and storing them away until next season. After drying everything, you can store your sleeping bags and tent in storage bins to add an extra layer of protection against moisture so they will be clean and ready to go next season.
Clean Everything Before Storing
Grills and propane stoves are essential pieces of camping gear, but not cleaning them properly at the end of the season can result in rust, broken parts, and even buildups of grease and grime. Before packing everything away for the season, take the time to carefully and thoroughly clean your equipment with warm, soapy water and a sponge, using a bristled brush for any tricky grease. The same goes for any camping utensils. Properly cleaning them before storing them away for the off-season will not only help keep your gear in great shape, but it will save you time next season, as everything will already be clean, dry, and ready to go.
Whether you spend the entire summer camping or choose to go for a weekend or two, taking the time to properly store your camping gear makes a world of difference. From garage storage to self-storage, these tips and tricks will help keep your gear in great shape and will make it easy to find next season.
Interest in renting a self-storage unit to store your camping and recreational gear during the off-season? Contact us today to learn more about our safe, secure indoor storage facility!