You can spend a lot of money on plastic storage bins and other specialty storage items. But while such items can be useful, you don't necessarily need to them to keep your storage unit organized. There are lots of free or low-cost alternatives.

In fact, you may have the following storage essentials already available in your kitchen. Try using these items to protect and organize your possessions.

1. Garbage Bags

A simple kitchen garbage bag can easily turn into a dust cover for your favorite clothing. Simply grab a bunch of clothing that you want to store and put each item on a hanger. Then, pull the garbage bag up from the bottom so that the mouth of the bag is at the top of the hanger.

Cinch the bag closed, and to hold it in place, slip the tie closure over the hanger. Then, you can hang these clothes on a clothes rack in your storage unit or inside of a box designed for hanging clothes.

If you like, you can make your own hanging box. Cut two holes into the top part of the opposing sides of a large cardboard box and slip in a piece of PVC pipe so it runs from hole to hole. Put an end cap on the pipe so it doesn't slip inside the box. Finally, hang your clothes from the PVC pipe and seal up the box. Then, when you take your clothes out of storage, you won't need to worry much about wrinkling.

2. Glad Press’n Seal

Glad Press’n Seal is a product similar to wax paper, but when you press it on certain items, it sticks down firmly. This kitchen product can also be useful in your storage locker. If you have any boxes that don't have lids, you can close them up using Press’n Seal.

For example, if you have lost the lid to a plastic storage bin, you can cover the container with Press’n Seal. You can also use the product to hold together things you want to stay together, such as sand toys in an old plastic bucket or a plastic set of storage drawers.

3. Plastic Bags

Freezer and sandwich bags can also be useful for keeping your storage area organized. If you are packing boxes full of lots of little items such as earrings, crafting supplies, small toys, or nuts and bolts, plastic bags can keep your items organized.

Bags make it easier for you to unpack the boxes once you have taken them out of storage. Additionally, if you need to remove anything while the items are in storage, you’ll have an easier time looking through a pile of bags than sorting through a huge box of jumbled items.

If you have dismantled furniture in your storage unit, you should consider putting the hardware into a plastic bag. Then, tape that bag to the furniture.

4. Cling Wrap

Often called saran wrap, cling wrap can also be useful when you’re setting up your storage area. If you don't have freezer bags, a bit of cling wrap and some packaging tape can help organize small items. You can also use cling wrap to cover paints, makeup, or anything else that may be prone to damage from the air.

You may also want to use cling wrap like professional shippers do. In particular, if you plan to ultimately ship the boxes in your storage locker or transport them a long way, you could put a bunch of boxes on a pallet and then wrap them with cling wrap.

For more tips on setting up your storage locker, contact us directly. At Sutters Fort Self Storage, LLC, we have a range of storage solutions for both personal and business clients.