How to Prepare Your Belongings For Winter

If you’ve lived through a winter in Wisconsin or North Dakota, you know the cold doesn’t play around. Sub-zero temperatures, snow buildup, ice storms, it’s all part of the deal. That’s why prepping your stored belongings properly for winter is so important. Whether you're storing furniture, electronics, or even a vehicle, a little extra care goes a long way toward protecting your items until spring.

At Pleasant Valley Storage, we serve customers across the Upper Midwest who need reliable, all-season storage. Our units are built to handle winter, but what you put inside, and how you store it, matters just as much. With nearby facilities in places like Chippewa Falls and Menomonie, Pleasant Valley Storage makes it easy to find a winter ready storage unit close to home when cold weather hits.

 Here’s how to get your items winter-ready before the snow flies.

Furniture

Wood furniture can expand and contract with temperature swings, which may cause warping, cracking, or loosening of joints. To help prevent this:

• Clean and dry furniture before storing.
• Apply a layer of furniture polish or wax to protect the finish.
• Cover items with cotton sheets or furniture blankets, not plastic, which traps moisture.

Upholstered items like couches and mattresses should also be cleaned and stored off the ground. Use pallets or moisture-resistant blocks to raise them slightly. This helps with airflow and guards against any unexpected condensation.

Smart packing techniques can improve airflow and accessibility, which matters even more during long winter storage.

Electronics

Cold temperatures and humidity are not friendly to electronics. If you’re storing TVs, computers, stereos, or gaming systems:

• Remove all batteries (they can freeze and leak).
• Store items in original boxes if possible, or wrap them in towels or soft blankets.
• Place electronics on shelves or secure them in sealed plastic totes with desiccant packs to absorb moisture.

When retrieving electronics in the spring, let them gradually adjust to room temperature before plugging them in to avoid internal condensation.

Vehicles and Outdoor Equipment

If you're using your unit for car, camper, boat, or vehicle storage, preparation is key:

• Wash and dry your vehicle to remove salt or road grime.
• Add a fuel stabilizer and run the engine briefly to circulate it.
• Disconnect the battery to prevent drain or freezing.
• Cover your vehicle with a breathable fabric cover, never with plastic.
• Inflate tires to the proper pressure and, if storing long-term, consider placing the vehicle on jack stands to avoid flat spots.

For boats and RVs, winterization (draining water lines, treating fuel, sealing vents) is essential. If you’re unsure, consider a winterization service before placing your vehicle into storage.

General Winter Storage Tips

• Don’t overpack your unit—leave space for air to circulate.
• Label boxes clearly so you don’t have to dig through everything in the cold.
• Place commonly accessed items near the front.
• Use pallets or shelving to keep boxes off the ground and away from potential moisture.

It’s also important to know which items should not be stored at all, especially during extreme winter conditions.

Preparing for winter doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right approach and a little planning, you can store your belongings with confidence all season long. Need help choosing the right unit or have questions about storing during winter? Reach out to our team, we’re happy to help.