How to store seasonal decorations

Store holiday decorations up high.

Many storage buildings include rafters or upper-level space. If your shed has this space, use it for storage of holiday decorations. You won’t need them for another year, so it makes sense to stash them where they won’t be in the way when you need to find your summer gardening tools.

Storing Holiday Wreaths, Inflatables and Outdoor Displays

Place each item in a heavy-duty plastic, canvas or polyester bag. Look for wreath storage containers and bags made to hold other large items. Label the items for easy reference next year. Use stackable plastic storage totes to make it easy to store inflatables.

If you have to keep some fabric-based decorative items stored in the garage for any reason, make sure they’re sealed tightly in a plastic container. Wrapping items in acid-free paper or using silica packets to absorb moisture can help preserve the storage bin’s contents.

Often, the only place to store holiday decorations is in the garage or attic, according to organizing expert Barry Izsak, author of “Organize Your Garage in No Time.” Store holiday decorations in enclosed plastic containers to guard against water and moisture damage.

Holiday Decorations

“Holiday decorations can be damaged by the extreme heat in attics,” says Santoro. “Delicate fabrics and items that are painted are particularly prone to damage when stored in the attic,” and plastic decorations, like ornaments, may melt or warp in the heat.

An attic is hard to seal, due to ventilation issues. Therefore, specific fabrics are best left out of the attic, like leather and animal fur clothing. Remember, the key to correctly store clothes in your attic is wrapping every clothing item individually in plastic and protect it from moisture.

Also, don’t store any food related items or teething toys in the attic. The extreme heat could cause the plastics to leach chemicals, making them unsafe for your baby. Under beds, in closets or in the top of kitchen cabinets are better options for these types of items.

If you want the toys to be preserved well, opt for plastic boxes that allow air to circulate throughout the container. To prevent damage to these items, wrap each item in a cotton sheet before storing them.

However, LEGO bricks are safest at temperatures below 113⁰F (45⁰C), and they become malleable at 131⁰F (55⁰C). So, it’s unlikely that LEGOs will melt in the attic, but you may still want to avoid storing your LEGOs in places that are prone to extremely high temperatures.

Fabric should ‘breathe’ when in storage. This tip is Important for natural fibers like wool. The best place to store bedding is in open areas where adequate airflow gets to the fabric. Avoid plastic storage bags that trap moisture and are breeding grounds for mold and mildew.

Vacuum storage bags are great space savers and are safe to use if they are well vacuumed and stored at fairly stable temperatures. However, vacuum packing pillows and linens will result in deep creases and wrinkles that, depending on the fabric and care instructions, may be difficult to remove.