MODERN STORAGE®
Home/Episodes/Storage Cleaning Hacks | Spring Cleaning is Here

June 18, 2025

Storage Cleaning Hacks | Spring Cleaning is Here

Episode Summary

In Episode 17 of Modern Storage® Unpacked, Modern Storage® digs into spring cleaning with practical storage hacks designed to help you cut through clutter and make better use of your space. They cover how to decide what to keep versus toss, how to organize your storage unit more efficiently, and how to finally deal with the items you forgot you were even storing.

Key Takeaways

1

Use a keep-versus-toss framework to make faster, more confident decluttering decisions

2

Reorganizing your storage unit layout can unlock usable space you did not know you had

3

Spring cleaning is a good time to audit forgotten items and decide if they still deserve a spot in your unit

Episode Notes

Spring cleaning is one of the most universally recognized rituals of the year, but for the millions of Americans who rent self storage units, it carries an extra layer of complexity. It is not just about tidying a closet or wiping down a countertop. It means confronting an entire offsite space that may not have been touched since the holidays, a move, or even longer. In Episode 17 of Modern Storage® Unpacked, hosts Modern Storage® approach this seasonal moment with practical advice, honest commentary, and the kind of storage expertise that comes from working inside the self storage industry. The episode centers on what Modern Storage® call storage cleaning hacks, a collection of tips and strategies designed to make the spring cleaning process less overwhelming and more effective. Rather than offering generic advice about buying matching bins or labeling shelves, they dig into the actual decisions that make decluttering hard. Chief among those is the keep-versus-toss question. Knowing what to hold onto and what to let go of is one of the biggest pain points for storage unit renters, and the hosts give listeners a clear way to think through that process without getting stuck in sentimental loops or decision fatigue. Efficiency inside the storage unit itself is another major focus of the episode. Many renters underutilize the vertical space in their units, stack boxes in ways that make retrieval nearly impossible, or store items they access frequently behind things they never touch. Modern Storage® address these common organizational mistakes and offer concrete strategies for restructuring a unit so that it works for the renter rather than against them. For self storage operators, this kind of content is valuable because educated renters tend to stay longer, use their units with more satisfaction, and require less hands-on support from facility staff. One of the more entertaining segments of the episode is the conversation around forgotten items. Nearly everyone who rents a storage unit long-term has experienced the moment of opening a box and finding something they completely forgot they owned. Modern Storage® lean into that relatable experience and use it as a launching point for talking about how to conduct a proper storage audit. This means actually going through what is in the unit, taking stock of it, and making active decisions about whether each item still deserves paid storage space. It is a simple concept that most renters skip, and the hosts make a compelling case for why it should be part of every spring cleaning routine. From an industry perspective, episodes like this one matter because they connect self storage to everyday life in a way that feels approachable rather than transactional. Spring cleaning is a cultural moment with real search volume and public interest, and framing storage unit management within that context helps listeners see their unit as a living, manageable part of their home organization system rather than a dusty afterthought. Modern Storage® Unpacked consistently works to shift that perception, and this episode is a strong example of that mission in action. Listeners who tune into Episode 17 will walk away with a cleaner framework for making decluttering decisions, a better understanding of how to physically organize a storage unit for maximum usability, and the motivation to finally go deal with that unit they have been avoiding. Whether someone is a long-term storage renter doing their first real cleanout in years or a new renter trying to set up their unit the right way from the start, this episode offers relevant, actionable guidance for making the most of their storage space this spring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the topics covered in this episode.

What is the best way to decide what to keep or throw away when cleaning out a storage unit?

The most effective approach is to sort items into three categories before making any final decisions: keep and use regularly, keep but store differently, and remove entirely by donating, selling, or disposing. If you cannot remember the last time you accessed something or cannot name a specific future use for it, that is a strong signal it is taking up space without earning it. Spring is a natural checkpoint to apply this filter because it creates a deadline and a mindset shift rather than another round of procrastination.

How do I organize a storage unit more efficiently without renting a bigger one?

Vertical space is the most underused asset in any storage unit. Shelving units, stackable bins, and wall-mounted hooks can dramatically increase usable capacity without requiring a larger footprint. Grouping items by how often you access them, with frequently needed items near the front and rarely touched items toward the back, also reduces the time and frustration of digging through a disorganized unit every visit.

How can a small business use spring cleaning to cut storage costs?

Spring is an ideal time for business owners to audit their storage unit for obsolete inventory, outdated equipment, or archived documents that have passed their legal retention period. Removing items that no longer have operational value can allow a business to downsize to a smaller, less expensive unit. Even if downsizing is not the goal, a reorganized unit improves accessibility and reduces the time staff spend locating items, which is a real operational cost.

What should self storage facility managers do to support customers during spring cleaning season?

Spring is a high-activity period when renters are most motivated to sort through their units, which makes it a strong time to offer move-out specials, unit transfer options, or on-site disposal resources like dumpster rentals or donation drop-off coordination. Proactively communicating tips for unit organization through email or signage also positions the facility as a helpful partner rather than a passive landlord. Customers who feel supported during spring cleaning are more likely to stay long-term or refer others.

How often should you actually clean out your storage unit?

A full audit once or twice a year is a reasonable baseline for most renters, with spring and the period before the holidays being the two most natural checkpoints. In between, doing a quick access review every few months, where you note what you have retrieved and what you have not touched, helps prevent the gradual accumulation that leads to needing a larger unit. Renters who treat their storage unit as a managed asset rather than a passive overflow space tend to pay less over time and get more practical use out of it.

Topics covered:Facility Management

Enjoying the show?

Subscribe and never miss a new episode of Modern Storage® Unpacked™.

Mentioned in this episode

The Modern Storage® facilities and services this conversation covers.

More Episodes

View all →
Self Storage Hot Takes: Keep It or Get Rid of It? 🔥 | Ep. 86 | MODERN STORAGE® Unpacked™
Podcast

Oct 14, 2026

Self Storage Hot Takes: Keep It or Get Rid of It? 🔥 | Ep. 86 | MODERN STORAGE® Unpacked™

"If you haven't used it in a year, get rid of it." Sounds completely reasonable… until we're talking about the clothes in YOUR closet that still have tags on them. 🔥 In Episode 86 of MODERN STORAGE® Unpacked™, Hannah and Kaylee are taking on self-storage hot takes in a round of agree or disagree — and let's just say they are not always on the same side of the table. From decluttering rules to moving in the summer, they're weighing in on the advice everyone has heard — and finding out exactly where their opinions fall apart. Some takes are easy. Others get surprisingly personal. And at least one of them ends in a full closet defense. 😂 In this episode: Agree or disagree: if you haven't used it in a year, it's time to let it go The clothes we haven't worn in years — and why we're absolutely still keeping them Seasonal items and the very valid "someone might need this someday" argument Moving in the Arkansas summer and the one opinion that finally brings them together ☀️😅 How differently we all think about our stuff — and what that means for storage Whether you're planning a move, clearing out your home, renting a storage unit, or working in the self-storage industry — come ready to pick a side. 👀 Which hot take do you agree with — and which one would you fight to the death over? Drop it in the comments. 👇 🔔 Subscribe to MODERN STORAGE® Unpacked™ for more storage tips, facility tours, industry insights, and the occasional friendly debate! About MODERN STORAGE® Unpacked™ Hosted by Hannah and Kaylee, MODERN STORAGE® Unpacked™ brings you practical storage advice, real-life scenarios, honest opinions, and conversations from inside the self-storage industry. A podcast by Modern Storage® — proudly serving communities across Arkansas with locations in West Little Rock, North Little Rock, Riverdale, Shackleford, Bryant, Bentonville, Springdale, Lowell, Maumelle, and Hot Springs. 🌐 https://www.modernstorage.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modern.storage 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modernstorage 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@modernstorage 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-storage ▶️ YouTube: @modernstorage #ModernStorageUnpacked #ModernStorage #SelfStorage #Decluttering #MovingTips #StorageTips #HotTakes #ArkansasStorage #ClutterFree #StorageLife #AgreeOrDisagree #MovingDay #SummerMoving #SelfStorageLife #StorageIndustry #ArkansasMoving

View Episode
Our Storage Facility Got a Little Spooky 👻 | Modern Storage® #Shorts
ShortFacility Management

Oct 10, 2026

Our Storage Facility Got a Little Spooky 👻 | Modern Storage® #Shorts

Modern Storage® gets into the Halloween spirit with a lighthearted short that brings some spooky fun to the self storage world. This episode features a ghost who apparently has great taste in eyewear, making for a playful seasonal moment from the Modern Storage® team. It is a quick, festive break from the usual industry content that shows the personality behind the brand.

Watch Short
Moving in Summer? We Already Know How This Ends 🥵
ShortCustomer Questions

Oct 8, 2026

Moving in Summer? We Already Know How This Ends 🥵

Modern Storage® tackles one of the most universally dreaded moving experiences: relocating in peak summer heat. This episode pulls a clip from Episode 86 of Modern Storage® Unpacked™: Self Storage Hot Takes, where the conversation around summer moving lands with immediate, shared recognition. It is the kind of topic where both sides of the debate are wrong, and everyone already knows it.

Watch Short

Never miss an episode.

Subscribe and get new episodes every week.