Whether you're a packrat at heart or just keep accumulating stuff over time, self-storage units are a great solution for storing the essentials you just can't let go of but don't have the room for. When you've hit the point where you're sick and tired of all the clutter in your home, it's time to go through the decluttering process. It can be hard to get rid of things you've had for so long, so here are a few tips to get you started.

Start Small

Maybe you feel overwhelmed by the volume of stuff lying around, or maybe you just don't know where to start. This is when it's time to focus on one shelf or drawer. Sort everything into three piles: keep, toss, and "borderline".

• Your keep pile should include things you use regularly or are particularly fragile. There's no point in stowing something you need every day in a storage facility, and fragile or invaluable things are risky to include in a move.
• Your "borderline" pile will almost always consist of things you can toss or donate. 99% of the time you don't need to hang onto them. Put them in the "toss" pile and see how you feel.

Now that you've finished this small step, you should have a better idea of things you'd like to put into storage and objects that are surplus. Get to work on the rest!

What Not to Put into Storage

At the end of the whole decluttering process, it's a great idea to take a step back and review what you've selected to be stored. Some things are not suitable for long-term storage in a self-storage unit including:

• Perishable items that may attract mold or pests
• Things requiring continual maintenance or care
• Flammable or volatile objects and substances

If you're still not sure if it's a good idea to put something into your unit, it's time to contact the self-storage business. They're experts in the industry, and they'll gladly assist you and explain any rules they have for what is and isn't acceptable in their units.