Once Halloween is over, costumes, inflatables, and spooky decorations can quickly take over your closets, garages, and spare rooms. For Central Texas families with a collection of seasonal decorations, proper storage can help protect them from heat, humidity, dust, and pests until next Halloween. Since you only use these items once a year, consider moving them out of the house and into a secure storage unit until you are ready to bring them back next October. Let’s explore how to store Halloween costumes and decorations for next year, plus our top tips for protecting them before you put them in storage.
Clean Everything Before Storage
Before storing anything, clean your costumes, inflatables, and decorations before packing them into storage boxes. Make sure everything is completely dry to help prevent mildew and odors when you store items until next Halloween. Wipe down inflatables and decorations to keep them in top condition and remove any dirt or debris that may have accumulated from this year’s use.
Store Costumes and Accessories Properly
If you plan to store Halloween costumes and accessories to free up closet space, use garment bags or sealed plastic bins. When packing items into these boxes, place them carefully to protect delicate items such as masks, hats, wigs, and accessories from being crushed. Avoid leaving delicate costumes in a hot Central Texas garage or attic, as they are likely to get damaged over the summer months when the heat and the humidity are at their highest.
Use Durable, Labeled Storage Bins
To help organize your self-storage unit, choose sturdy plastic bins that help keep out dust, moisture, and pests. These bins protect your decorations, costumes, and accessories while making it easy to find everything in the unit. Label each bin with its contents so you can quickly access Halloween items again next fall. If you have heavier decorations and items, place these lower down in the storage unit instead of higher up and on top of more fragile items.
Protect Decorations From the Texas Heat
One of the biggest challenges of storing anything in Texas is the heat and humidity the state experiences. This is especially true in the summer months, when you want your Halloween decorations to stay protected until you access them again in the fall. Wrap each decoration individually to prevent scratches or damage. If you have electronic decorations, remove the batteries to prevent corrosion or leaks that could make the item unusable later.
Families with large outdoor and inflatable Halloween decorations want to store, clean, and fully dry them before putting them away. If you have heat-sensitive items and decorations, keep them out of garages, sheds, and attics when possible, and consider storing them in a climate-controlled unit instead.
How to Store Inflatable Halloween Decorations
Large inflatable pumpkins, ghosts, and other Halloween decorations can take up considerable storage space. Before packing them away, unplug the inflatable, remove stakes and tie-downs, and allow it to dry completely. Carefully fold the material according to the manufacturer’s instructions, avoiding unnecessary pressure on seams, wiring, and blower components. Store the inflatable in a sturdy container or protective bag, and keep stakes, cords, and accessories together in a labeled pouch. Avoid placing heavy boxes on top of inflatables, as this can damage the material and internal components.
Consider Climate-Controlled Storage in Central TX
Prolonged Texas heat can damage fabrics, plastics, electronics, and delicate decorations after months in storage. One of our top recommendations for families looking to store Halloween costumes and decorations safely between uses each year is a climate-controlled storage unit. A storage unit frees up space in your home while protecting seasonal items. These units come in all shapes and sizes, so no matter how many Halloween items you need to store, you can find one that fits your needs. Some families use a storage unit solely for seasonal decorations, where you can also store Christmas and other holiday items you use only once a year.
What Size Storage Unit Do You Need for Halloween Decorations?
Whether you’re storing a few boxes of costumes or an extensive collection of outdoor Halloween decorations, choosing the right storage unit size can help keep everything organized. Here are a few examples of how different storage unit sizes might be used.
When selecting a storage unit in Texas, we highly recommend upgrading to a climate-controlled unit. These units protect items from heat and humidity and regulate the temperature year-round. We especially recommend this type of unit for electronics, furniture, and other heat-sensitive items that could potentially be damaged after spending months in a hot space.
Make Decorating Easier Next Halloween
If you’re short on time, it can be tempting to rush and put all your Halloween items away at the end of the season. Still, we recommend organizing your storage unit so decorating is much easier for you and your loved ones next October. Group decorations in your storage unit together by room or outdoor area. Label boxes or bins so you know exactly which area they belong to and what’s inside each one. Take photos of your storage unit once you’ve placed everything inside or create a simple inventory before storing everything. Before shopping for new Halloween decorations or costumes, refer to this list to see what you already have and save time and money.
Proper storage can help keep Halloween decorations looking great year after year, even in humid Central Texas conditions. You’ll free up valuable space in your home, closets, and garage by removing items you only need once or twice per year. With convenient locations throughout Central Texas, Amy’s Attic Self Storage can help you keep your Halloween costumes and decorations protected, organized, and out of the way until next October. We offer storage units in all shapes and sizes and can support you in choosing a unit that’s suitable for your storage needs.
FAQs
What is the best way to store Halloween decorations?
Clean and dry decorations thoroughly, then organize them in sturdy, labeled containers. Protect fragile items with padding and store heat-sensitive decorations in a suitable environment.
Can Halloween costumes be stored in plastic bins?
Yes. Clean, completely dry costumes can be stored in plastic bins, although delicate fabrics and structured costumes may benefit from breathable garment bags or other specialized storage.
Should Halloween decorations be stored in a climate-controlled unit?
Climate-controlled storage can be beneficial for electronics, fabrics, masks, and other temperature-sensitive decorations, especially during hot Central Texas summers.
How do you store large Halloween inflatables?
Clean and dry them completely, fold them according to manufacturer instructions, and store them in protective containers away from heavy objects.
Families in Harker Heights and surrounding Central Texas communities can explore climate-controlled storage options at Amy’s Attic to help protect seasonal decorations. Are you looking for more information about Fall Events in Central TX or renting self-storage units in Central Texas? Contact our team at Amy’s Attic Self Storage today or visit one of our locations to tour our facilities and see the benefits of self-storage for yourself.
