How to Safely Store Your Halloween Decorations for Reuse

A little care now goes a long way toward keeping your Halloween decorations in great shape. This means having a variety of cleaning and packing materials to pad fragile items, keep pests/moisture at bay and prevent your decorations from being damaged. Here are some items to have on hand:

Cleaning Supplies

• Microfiber cloths for dusting delicate items
• Mild soap or dish detergent for washing decor and cleaning outdoor items
• A soft sponge or damp cloth for wiping down surfaces
• Disinfecting wipes or sanitizing spray for cleaning items like candy bowls
• Gentle stain remover or laundry detergent for costumes and fabric items
• Drying cloths or paper towels to get rid of moisture or wet spots before packing things up

Packing Materials

• Bubble pack or tissue paper for wrapping fragile items
• Sturdy plastic bins with lids for keeping items safe from dust
• Twist ties, zip ties or rubber bands for cords and loose ends
• Vacuum-seal bags for compressing costumes and soft decorations
• Plastic storage bags or pouches for keeping small parts — like stakes, anchors, screws and other hardware — organized
• Garment bags for hanging costumes
• Permanent markers and labels for labeling bins and boxes

Before you store your decorations, you’ll need to take them down and give them a once-over to make sure they’re clean.

Indoor Decorations

Start with the decorations inside your home. Take your time removing them from shelves or tables, and don’t rush. If you used adhesives — e.g., fake spider webs or wall hangings — peel them off slowly to avoid damaging your walls or paint finishes. You can also apply heat using a hairdryer on the low setting to safely loosen up any stickers and make it easier to remove them from your walls.

After you’ve taken everything down and gathered them in one area, dust each item off with a soft cloth, which you can lightly dampen to wipe away any fingerprints or smudges. For high-touch items like candy bowls or serving trays, wash them with warm, soapy water or use a sanitizing wipe. Remember to let them air-dry or dry them by hand before storage. Any items with fabrics — e.g., decorative pillows — should be spot-cleaned, dry-cleaned or machine-washed according to the care instructions.

Outdoor Decorations

Next, it’s time to move on to your outdoor decorations. If you’ve set up items like inflatables, life-size skeletons or light-up tombstones, make sure to turn off and unplug everything first. Give any lights or electric components a minute to cool down before taking them apart so you don’t burn or zap yourself. As you pull up stakes or anchors, be gentle, so you don’t accidentally break something essential for next year’s setup. Fold up your inflatables carefully, and roll extension cords neatly to avoid any tangles.

Remember — outdoor decorations take the brunt of the weather, so you’ll need to be extra thorough when cleaning them. Wipe down inflatables with a mild soap and water solution and let them dry completely. For plastic tombstones, lanterns and other hard, plastic decor, use a cloth to remove dirt and grime. Use a soft brush to clean string lights and inspect the bulbs and cords for any damage.

Costume and Fabric Items

Lastly, don’t forget about your costumes or fabric decorations like tablecloths, banners and spooky curtains. Shake them out to get rid of dust or dirt, especially if they’ve been outside. Before packing away costumes, check for any rips or stains — better to fix them now than discover a problem next year right before a costume party.

Costumes should be cleaned according to their labels — either laundered or taken to the dry cleaners. It’s important to make sure they’re dry before folding and storing them to avoid any musty smells or mildew. If you’re ready to part ways with a costume that’s still in good condition, consider selling it on a platform like Facebook Marketplace or donating it.

Now that your decorations are clean, it’s time to pack everything up. Here are some tips for different kinds of items:

• Fragile items: For those delicate pieces like glass pumpkins, figurines or ceramic decor, wrap each item individually in bubble wrap or tissue paper for cushioning. Place them in sturdy boxes and make sure there’s no excess movement that could lead to breakage. Label the boxes clearly so that next year you know where to find each piece without digging around.
• Costumes and fabrics: Neatly fold and pack your costumes and fabric items in garment bags or plastic containers to keep them fresh and shielded from dust. If space is tight, using vacuum-seal bags can cut down on any bulk without damaging your fabric items. For things like tablecloths or curtains, try folding them with tissue paper to prevent creasing. Store these in plastic bins to keep them free from moisture or pests.
• Lights and electrical items: To avoid the dreaded tangle of string lights, wrap each strand carefully and secure them with twist ties. Store these in a separate box to keep them from getting damaged by heavier items. Remove the batteries in any light-up or battery-operated decor before storing them to prevent corrosion.
• Large outdoor items: For bigger outdoor props like inflatables, tombstones or large skeletons, make sure you properly disassemble everything. Roll up your inflatables carefully to avoid creases or damage, and pack them in their original packaging if possible. Keep all small parts — stakes, ties, other hardware — in labeled bags so you’re not hunting for them next year.

Storing your Halloween decorations in a well-organized space, whether at home or in a self-storage unit, can make a big difference in how well your items hold up over time, especially if you plan on reusing them year after year. 

At Home vs. Self Storage

If you have the space at home, garages, basements or closets can be solid options for storing your decorations. However, keep in mind that delicate items such as fabrics and electronics tend to be sensitive to extreme temperature and moisture fluctuations, so you’ll want to avoid putting them in your attic or other uninsulated areas.

If you have limited home storage or own high-quality pieces that you want to keep in mint condition, using a self-storage unit is a smart solution. Stowing seasonal, once-a-year items like Halloween decorations in storage is a great way to make room at home for the things that matter to you while keeping your items in a secure, convenient environment. Self-storage facilities also offer climate-controlled units, which are better than home storage for protecting items that are sensitive to temperature and humidity. 

Organizing Your Items 

To make the setup process a breeze when Halloween comes around again next year, group similar items together (for example, keep indoor decor and outdoor props separate from one another) and label each box clearly. Consider using clear bins so you can quickly identify what’s inside. Place delicate, fragile items in containers near the top of a stack of boxes to prevent breakage, and keep heavier, durable items at the bottom. Label each bin specifically — such as “String Lights,” “Inflatables” or “Indoor Decor” — so you won’t have to dig through multiple boxes to find what you need.

Once Halloween is behind you, it’s time to start thinking about the next round of seasonal decorating — whether it’s for Thanksgiving, Christmas or another winter holiday. 

Before heading out to buy new decorations, it’s worth double-checking what you already have on hand. Take a moment to go through your stored holiday items first (whether it’s a self-storage unit or a designated home storage space) to see if there are decorations you can repurpose or reuse. You may find that some pieces from last year are still in great condition.

While you’re going through your storage areas, take the opportunity to clean them out or reorganize them. This means noting any items that need replacing or repairs, getting rid of things you no longer need or selling items on Facebook Marketplace.

By taking the time to check your stored decorations and organize as you go, getting your home into holiday mode can become a more creative and less stressful process. You’ll be ready for the next celebration in no time, with everything neatly in its place and ready for reuse.

Ready for more storage, decorating and organizing tips? Head to the SmartStop blog.