How to Store Baby Items for Future Kids

There are so many items to buy for your first baby. From the to the mobile to baby clothes, toys and bottles, the shopping list can really grow. Many of these items can cost over $100.

Because of this, it can be worthwhile to store many of your child’s used items for your next baby. Here are things to keep in mind.

What’s Your Goal?

he main reasons to store baby items are to save money later, and nostalgia. You may have become attached to that crib, that changing table, and many of those adorable outfits.

Whatever the case may be, we recommend getting a self-storage unit with climate control. Self-storage is best when you plan to have a second baby in the relatively near future. For your baby items, an extra small storage locker, which is about 5x5, or a small 5x10 storage unit should be just right for your baby’s stuff.

What to Keep

When you get the items ready for storage, be willing to get rid of things and keep only the best items.

Do some research on the crib, changing table, and toys. Have any been recalled? While your first baby may have been just fine in the crib, you may discover that it has a dangerous defect. The chances are slim, but if something has been recalled, find out to what to do to return it (for a refund if possible).

Get rid of damaged items, like toys with broken or missing parts, books with tears, and clothing with stains. You may be able to donate or recycle some of these. You’ll be left with the best quality items.

How to Clean

Wash all the clothes and bedding using a gentle, unscented, baby-safe detergent. Bugs and even rodents can be attracted to scented detergent, so this will help prevent them from showing up. You can wash stuffed animals the same way, but run them on cool, gentle cycles, and make sure they have dried fully.

Take apart the crib and set aside the connecting parts, like screws, nuts, and bolts. Remove batteries from toys, because batteries can become corroded over time.

You can use that baby-safe detergent to clean the crib, dresser, and toys as well. Pour warm water into a pail of water, and add a bit of the baby-safe detergent. Mix it, dip part of a clean kitchen towel into it, and rub that over all parts of the crib, toys, and so on. Allow them to air dry.

Once they have dried, put the crib hardware in a plastic bag and keep it with the rest of the crib. Consider tying or taping the bag to part of the crib frame.

Clean bottles well, several times, with all parts separate. Use hot water and a bottle brush. Throw out old nipples, as you can replace these later.

Preparing for Storage

Get some clear, plastic bins for your items. You’ll need to estimate how many you’ll need, and don’t be surprised if you need to go by a few more.

Pack like with like. You’ll have bins for toys, bins for stuffed animals, bins for books, and bins for bottles and other feeding equipment.

To save space, you can store most clothing in vacuum bags. The exceptions are fluffy items, and items with natural fibers, such as wool. Sort clothing by size and type.

Storing

With all that done, put the items together and estimate how much storage space they will take up. Then, put them in the areas we recommended in your home, or get a self-storage unit that’s just the right size.

Once you’re about to have your next child, you can take them out of storage and bring them home in preparation for your baby’s arrival.

We hope these steps save you money and help you make wonderful memories with your future baby.