Do you need a little extra space in your home for visitors and guests during the summer months? Stashing your exercise and home gym equipment in a self storage unit is a painless way to get the needed space. Many people switch to outdoor exercise, such as jogging, walking and swimming, once the weather warms up. Instead of letting the equipment gather dust, pack it away and turn your home gym back into a guest room for the season. This guide will help you store everything safely.

#1: Clean Thoroughly

Exercise equipment tends to collect sweat, which in turn can attract pests or at the very least result in a sour, musty odor while in storage.

Wipe down all hard surfaces with an all-purpose cleaner that contains bleach. If seats or padded areas of the equipment have absorbed a lot of sweat, you may want to remove them and rinse them thoroughly with hot water, and then scrub them with hand dishwashing soap. Allow them to dry thoroughly before reinstalling them on the equipment.

#2: Lube Before You Store

Moving parts on your equipment may rust, corrode, or just become stiff if they aren't used for several months. Take a few minutes to apply a household lubricant to these moving joints. The type of lubricant that comes with a straw works especially well, since you can spray it through the straw into any tight spaces. After lubricating, move the parts back and forth several times so the lubricant works its way into the joint.

#3: Remove Batteries

Don't forget to take the batteries out of any tracking devices on the equipment. You don't want these to corrode and damage the equipment.

#4: Store Safely

When placing the items in your storage unit, choose a location near the door so you can easily retrieve them in the fall. Set the equipment flat on the ground – don't lay it on top of a pile of items, since this could lead to damage. You should also avoid setting anything on top of the equipment, especially if it has padded seats that could be punctured or damaged.

Secure any weights or pulleys during storage, and make sure there are no crimps or stress on the cords. You may want to store small parts, such as pins or removable backrests, in a plastic storage tub. This prevents them from getting lost. You can even remove padded seats and rests and store them in a tub so they are protected from tears and pests. For more information look at sites like http://www.foothillsstorage.net/.