Bonjour lecteurs! Welcoming a new baby into your life is an exciting and an unique experience. From the tiny little baby clothes to the adorable stuffed animals, so many precious items come with a little one. However, as your baby grows and moves on to different stages, you may have a surplus of baby essentials you no longer need. Instead of tossing them away or letting them take up valuable space in your home, why not consider storing them for future use? So let me share with you some tips on how to store all your favourite baby essentials for future use.
What To Keep Or Not?
I really struggled with that one, I am a bit of a hoarder actually…Deciding which baby essentials to store and which to say au revoir to can be a tâche difficile. Baby essentials such as quilted blankets from Crane Baby, are parfaits to keep, especially if they carry some sentimental value or if they can be passed on siblings.
Get rid of things that are heavily worn or outdated. Will you use them again? If it’s a hard non, then give them to a charity shop or pass them on to someone who can make good use of them.
I would keep les pièces de bonne qualité such as quilted blankets, baby furniture, or more expensive items. Unisex clothes are also great to keep because they’re more likely to be used among your family and friends.
Items like bottle nipples or pacifiers are probably good to go too. You should get fresh ones for future babies. Plus you have to think about the storage you have available. Be realistic.
Cleaning & Preparing for Storage
Before storing baby essentials, it’s crucial to ensure each item is clean and ready for future use.
I would begin by washing soft items like clothing, blankets, and soft toys with a gentle, baby-safe detergent. It helps prevent mold.
Hard items such as toys and the bouncer for a newborn require thorough wiping down with a safe disinfectant for babies. Be also sure to remove any batteries from electronic items to avoid leakage that could cause damage.
En plus, you need to sterilise items like baby bottles or feeding accessories according to the manufacturer’s instructions before storing them.
Disassemble oversized items, such as the bouncer or baby cot, to save space. Don’t forget to protect components from damage.
The Size of Your Storage
When you choose containers for storing baby essentials, opt for durable, airtight options to protect items from dust, moisture, and pests.
I stored all our things in vacuum-sealed bags as they save up so much space. En plus, it’s so easy to use with pieces like baby clothes or blankets.
I would avoid cardboard boxes, as they can attract pests and absorb moisture, potentially damaging the items inside.
If you don’t use the right containers, your baby’s essentials might not stay in the best condition for future use.
Optimise Storage Conditions
Store baby items in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight for optimal preservation.
Indeed, excessive heat can warp and damage materials, while humidity can encourage the growth of mold and mildew.
Idéalement, you should store all your baby essentials in a low temperature environment. The best options?
An interior closet or under-the-bed storage would be parfait. This way, you can significantly extend the life and qualité of your stored baby essentials, keeping them ready for future use.
Access them easily
And to access easily all your favourite bits, sort them out by age, type and season.
Personnellement, I sorted out all Stanley’s clothes per size so that I can just open the right container whenever I need something.
Label each one with a specific category, par exemple, ‘newborn-3 months’ or ‘winter wear’. And find a place to put them all together.
Store further back the items you are less likely to need and it will be easier to find what you need.
Do’s & Don’ts
Using a système of labelling for all containers clearly with contents and dates will help you identify what’s in each container.
I would also recommend you inspect the stored items periodically for any signs of damage or wear.
Don’t use plastic bags for long-term storage, it will not last.
Remove all batteries from bigger items as there might be un risque of leakage
Those are just des idées simples to help you keep your baby’s essentials pristine for years.
We did not keep many baby essentials in the end as we did not go for number 2. However, I have stored and conserved many clothes that Stanley used to wear when he was a bébé. We stored them very carefully so that I can go back to memory land as often as I want. But also for the future when Stanley will have his own children.
Disclosure: Collaboration.
