Ah, summer… the beach trips, the camping adventures, the backyard barbies — we love it. But once the season winds down, you’re often left staring at a mountain of sandy, salty, slightly damp gear wondering where on earth it all came from… and you know it’s gonna be a pain…
Sound familiar? Here’s a friendly, practical guide to storing your summer gear properly, so it’s easy to find, ready to use, and not quietly destroying itself in the corner of your garage!
Step 1: Clean everything before you store it
We know. This is the step nobody really wants to do. But storing gear that’s dirty, damp, or sandy is a fast track to mould, rust, and unpleasant surprises when you pull things out next season. A little effort now saves a lot of headaches later!
●Beach towels and bags: wash and dry completely before folding away.
●Wetsuits and swimwear: rinse in fresh water, dry in the shade (not in direct sun, which can damage the material), then store flat or hung.
●Camping gear: wipe down tents, sleeping bags, and mats. Air them out thoroughly before packing away. Never store a damp tent — it will come out next season smelling like, well, regret.
●Esky/cooler: clean and dry it with the lid open so air can circulate.
●Outdoor furniture: wipe down and store cushions inside or in waterproof bags.
Step 2: Take stock of what you actually use
As you’re cleaning and packing up, it’s the perfect time to be honest with yourself. That inflatable kayak you bought three years ago and used once? The camping stove still in its box? If something hasn’t seen the light of day in a couple of summers, it might be time to pass it on to someone who’ll actually use it.
Items in good condition can be sold online, donated to a local op shop, or offered to friends or family who love the outdoors. Less clutter in your garage means more space for the things you actually love.
Step 3: Organise by category
Group like with like so that next summer, everything is easy to find. Some handy categories to think about:
●Beach gear: towels, toys, bags, umbrellas, sunscreen.
●Camping equipment: tent, sleeping bags, camp kitchen, lighting.
●Water sports: snorkelling gear, wetsuits, surfboards, inflatable toys
●Outdoor entertaining: BBQ accessories, outdoor games, fairy lights.
●Sports and recreation: bikes, cricket sets, frisbees, footballs.
Step 4: Smart storage solutions
Now the fun part — finding everything a proper home!
●Large, bulky items (surfboards, kayaks, bikes): wall-mounted hooks and brackets in the garage are your best friend here. Getting them off the floor frees up valuable space and keeps them safely out of the way.
●Camping gear: large, lidded storage bins are great for keeping everything together. Label them clearly so you’re not hunting around when the camping trip rolls around again.
●Beach bags and towels: a dedicated hook rail near the door or in the laundry is a simple, practical solution. If space is tight, a large basket or crate works beautifully too.
●Small items (sunscreen, goggles, beach toys): stackable bins or clear containers make it easy to see what you have at a glance. A label goes a long way!
Step 5: Make next summer easier
Before you close the garage door and call it done, take two minutes to write a quick list of anything that needs to be replaced or repaired before next season — a broken zip, a flat tyre on the bike, a missing guy rope on the tent. Future you will be incredibly grateful.
Taming the summer gear doesn’t have to be a dreaded chore. With a little organisation now, you’ll head into next summer feeling calm, prepared, and ready for whatever adventures come your way.