Storage Features
Trusted Since 1988
Trusted Since 1988
The Tidy Life
How To
January 3, 2020
|5 min
Cleaning up after a massive meal is no easy task. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Any foods that are supposed to be refrigerated shouldn’t sit out for more than 2 hours, and that is cumulative—including everything from transport from the grocery store to cooking to the table. This includes most cooked items. Otherwise, harmful bacteria—which can be invisible and odorless—may form. Keep your food out of the danger zone (40-140 degrees Fahrenheit), and when in doubt, toss it out.
Many baked goods are safe to leave out if covered or wrapped. If you have food that needs to be refrigerated, store it quickly. Make the most of your limited fridge space by transferring leftovers to smaller, seal-able containers. If those aren’t available, cover your plates with foil or plastic wrap before stashing them in the refrigerator.
Shake the crumbs off your tablecloths and place mats. Unless you want to make more work for yourself, do this over the trashcan or sink. Now would also be a good time to scan for stains. We’ll talk about how to treat those in a bit.
If grease used for deep-frying is clear and free of odd odors, you can reuse it. Transfer it to a metal can or plastic jug with a tight-fitting cover and stash the container in the fridge. Recycling is another option in some areas, but you will generally have to take it to a drop-off center. If all else fails, seal it in a leak-proof container and place that within a bag before it goes in the bin to reduce leaky messes. In every case, make sure the grease has completely cooled first.
Depending on the level of caked-on crud stuck to your pots and pans, you might want to vary your approach. Squirt a little dishwashing soap in them, fill with water and let sit overnight if the situation is a little sticky. For those more stubborn burnt-in messes, you can let soda like Coke or Pepsi loosen things up for you. Just leave it in the pot for a few hours or overnight.
Once your guests are gone, you probably don’t want permanent reminders of the party on your floor or tablecloth. How do you get rid of those scuffs and stains?
Polyurethane hardwood floors might pick up a few marks while you’re cuttin’ a rug. Don’t despair at your damaged dance floor. Rub the area for a bit with a soft cloth, and if that doesn’t do the trick, add a little floor cleaner as you rub.
If wine ends up on the carpet, rug or tablecloth, you’ll need to act fast. Salt can help keep the stain from settling in for the long haul. Carpet cleaner might be required, but if you have club soda or white wine on hand, you might try those first. Whichever one you choose, pour it directly on the stain and blot the area. Avoid rubbing as that will make matters worse.
As you take down all the party and holiday decorations, don’t forget that ezStorage has a location near you. With units in an array of sizes, our self-storage professionals can help you find the perfect solution for your decoration storage needs.
ezStorage has storage facilities all throughout northern Virginia, Washington, DC and Baltimore MD. Our storage facilities have many different storage features available, including storage units that can control the temperature. Reserve a 5×5, 5×10 or 10×10 storage unit with ezStorage today!
Explore our solutions tips below to get tips and advice on how to properly store your belongings.
1 Bedroom Apartment
2 Bedroom Apartment
2-3 Bedroom House
4+ Bedroom House
Single Dorm Room
Studio Apartment
Half the height of our standard 5' x 5', our lockers will hold personal items, clothes boxes, business records and sale rep materials. This is our smallest storage unit. Available at most locations.
How big is a 5x5? A 5x5 will hold personal items, clothes, boxes, small furniture items, business records and sales rep materials.
Will hold small amounts of furniture, boxspring and mattress, business records and other small items.
Will hold a 1 bedroom apartment w/major appliances, other furniture and supplies.
What will fit in a 10x15? This size storage-unit will hold contents of a 2 bedroom apartment or house including appliances and boxes, or commercial storage inventory.
Will hold contents of a 3 bedroom apartment or house plus major appliances and lots of boxes. Business storage, ideal for storage racks.
Will hold contents of a 4 to 5 bedroom house with major appliances and room for boxes. Business storage for files, equipment and permanent records.