How to Store Halloween Decorations

More than 171 million Americans planned to take part in Halloween festivities this year with estimated spending expected to reach $8.4 billion. Nearly half of the people questioned in the National Retail Federation’s annual survey planned to decorate their homes–accounting for more than a quarter of that staggering total. That’s a lot of cobwebs, creepy clown masks and cauldrons! But now that the party has died down, where does all that stuff go? Read on for some tips on cleaning and decluttering to prevent your house from being haunted by the ghosts of holidays past.

Designated Halloween Storage Containers

Sure, it’s exciting to be surprised by a random holiday when you open an assortment of nondescript boxes. However, your setup and cleanup are both much simpler when you have clearly labeled or color-coded containers.

• Sealed plastic containers are good for keeping moisture, bugs and other nasty surprises from ruining your decorations.
• Maximize your space by storing smaller items insider larger, hollow ones.
• Use bubble wrap to protect fragile items.
• Label the containers with a complete list of contents.
• If stacking multiple containers, make sure the heaviest, most structurally sound box or bin is on the bottom.

Storing Halloween Decorations that Hang

Some decorations need to hang in order to protect and preserve their shape. You can make the most of a hook or rack by hanging multiple items one in front of the other. If your items are made with fabric or other sensitive materials, you may want to consider a sealable garment bag. Costumes and masks could fit into this category as well. Many times, they will include a label with care instructions. To make sure you look your costumes look their best next year, pay special attention to those recommendations.

Other Notes On Halloween Storage

Light strands can be wrapped around ordinary extension cord wraps in order to keep them tangle free. If you’ll be stacking multiple reels, use a cloth or padding to insulate the wraps from one another and their surroundings. Glass, fabric and other materials can be sensitive to sunlight. To avoid fading, make sure you have these covered with acid-free tissue or packing materials like bubble wrap. Many of these items are also vulnerable to extreme temperatures and humidity–making your attic, basement or garage poor choices for long-term storage. Consider one of our climate-controlled storage units to help preserve the longevity of your decorations. ezStorage has a wide variety of locations, self-storage units, and moving and packing supplies. Talk to one of our self-storage professionals to find a solution that fits your needs.