Expert tips to clear clutter and organize the cottage

“Any fabrics should be stored in solid wood blanket boxes or steel cabinets,” advises organizational expert Linda Chu, of Out of Chaos in Vancouver. Otherwise, mice and other critters are liable to use your guest towels as bedding. Before storing things though, make sure everything is clean and thoroughly dry to avoid mould or other discolorations. For long-term storage, you can also use moisture-absorbing storage bags.

Large bins are the easiest way to store wakeboards, floating mattresses, water guns, and other toys used in and around the water, “so they’re not scattered around as a tripping hazard,” says Chu. But make sure everything is dry before it goes into storage. “The dry factor is huge,” she says.

Every cottage should have opening-up and closing-down lists. Even if you use your cottage year-round, there will be certain things that get stored away or shutdown for the season. If all that info is stored in your brain, “What happens if you’re not the one opening up? Where’s the hidden key? What needs to be done?” asks Chu.

“Do not leave batteries in the cottage over winter. Remove them from all your devices—flashlights, remote controls, etc.,” says Chu, otherwise they can freeze, leak, and damage the electronics. Make a list of which batteries you’ll need in the spring and then replace everything with fresh batteries, including your smoke and CO detectors.

If you have an attic or basement storage area, or even just a few closets where you store rarely used items, compile an itemized list of what’s in each. This will help you remember what you have—so you don’t buy duplicates—and help your family find things if you’re not there.

If you didn’t do it in the fall, use this spring clean-up to purge any expired food and spices in the pantry. You should also dig to the bottom of the freezer and use up or toss any items that have been forgotten in there.

“Critters can chew through all types of packaging, from cereal boxes to chip bags to plastic containers,” says Chu. “It’s time consuming, but it’s worth storing these items in glass jars or metal tins.” She recommends mason jars or the containers that holiday cookies and chocolates come in.

If your containers are large enough, store the food inside in their original packaging. If not, you should label the containers listing the contents and “best before” date. Chu recommends using chalk labels or wax pencil crayons.