As summer is winding down and fall is taking hold, the need to have sporting equipment out and about is diminishing. Soon many sports seasons will be gone, and you’ll have to figure out what to do with your equipment while not using it. Whether you are renting, don’t have a garage or shed, or just like a clean house, you may not want to store these things in your home. Especially when they can get damaged or destroyed by the chaos around the home.
The next solution is to rent a self storage unit and store all your sporting equipment there, but storing sporting equipment isn’t always as cut and dry as throwing them into a container and closing the door. Some equipment requires care to be stored properly.
How To Store Balls
Balls are generally easy to store. While it is generally recommended not to leave balls inflated while in storage as heat and cold can warp them, it is not necessary to do, and some balls can last a long time without much care. The recommendation is to leave them slightly deflated and in a bag where they aren’t crammed together. As always, cover them up if possible as dust can cake onto them.
How To Store Shoes Properly (So They Last Longer)
Any sort of shoe will need to be stored carefully. Shoes are often sweated in, soaked with water or mud, and are expensive to replace. To store hiking boots, cleats, and shoes, you need to clean them inside and out before letting them dry completely. Next, stick acid-free tissue paper or a shoe tree inside them to keep them from losing their shape. Finally, store them in a box that will protect them from the elements. If your shoe, boot, or cleat has leather on it, treat the leather before storage. While this may seem like a lot, it is better to store these items correctly than have to buy new cleats every summer after your old ones need to be thrown out.
Properly Storing Camping Supplies
Camping supplies are often diverse and necessary, but many follow the same principles. Fishing lures, tents, canteens, axes, marshmallow roasting sticks, etc. simply need to be cleaned and dried completely, before being stored in boxes that protect them from the elements. However, if you have any wood equipment, it is highly recommended to invest in a climate-controlled unit, as humidity can warp wooden objects.
The Art of Storing Fishing Rods
Fishing rods are actually rather sensitive and should be stored delicately. It is good to clean them and lightly latch the hook around the leg of one of the guides. As the rods can be easily bent over time, they should be stored vertically or horizontally with little or no pressure on them.
While doing this by laying them on top of a stack of boxes is easy, it’s harder to do at home without creating your own storage equipment. And you can never guarantee that something won’t happen to them at home.
Preparing Golf Clubs, Tennis Rackets, and Baseball Bats For Storage
Golf clubs, tennis rackets, baseball bats, and more all require cleaning and covering in storage. First, clean all of them as thoroughly as possible before letting them dry completely. Next, store them under a covering of sorts in a vertical or horizontal position. It is also highly recommended to invest in a climate-controlled unit for storing these pieces as they are more affected by humidity and temperature.
As a side note, you don’t need to unstring tennis rackets before storage, but you can if you feel the frame may bend out of shape.
Correctly Storing Football Pads, Boxing Gloves, and Motorcycle Helmets
Football pads, boxing gloves, motorcycle helmets, and anything that has foam or cloth in it has to be stored with caution. These things tend to absorb sweat and can hold onto them for a long time. This makes them stink, begin to rot, and grow mold. That’s why it is recommended to take them fully apart and clean them individually before drying them completely. It is also recommended to dry the foam or cloth in a spin dryer or with a blow dryer, as this will get the best results.
As a side note, do not stick heavy plastics in a spin dryer, as it may damage the dryer and could melt the plastic.
How To Store Nets and Frames For Sports
A lot of sports can use nets which then require frames to hold those nets aloft. Nets are a lot like cloth in that they need to be cleaned, but they can get tangled, ripped, or worse in that process. That’s why it is recommended to wrap the net into a bundle and secure it with a cord before putting it into a pillowcase. Once cleaned and dried, they can be returned to their box or bag.
The frames also need to be cleaned and dried inside and out, which can be a daunting process based on the frame used. After that, they can be returned to the box or bag. It is also important to note that if the frame is weaker or bendable, then it likely shouldn’t be placed under anything else, or it might bend or break permanently.
Storing Sporting Equipment
When you have limited room it is hard to store seasonal equipment in your house or apartment for nine months of the year. Self storage is for those who need that room, but still like to go camping or play soccer with friends. And among self storage options, you’ll find it hard to find a company better equipped to help you store all your sports equipment.
At StoreEase, we are proud to provide simple, convenient, and clean self storage to people across the country. We serve fourteen states from sea to shining sea and would love to help you free up your space. Check to see if we have a location near you.