Some rugged adventurers like to push the envelope and rough it during the colder months. However, most people take a much-needed camping break and pick the adventuring back up in the spring. To make the most of your camping equipment, take steps to preserve it throughout the winter.

You can’t simply toss your tents, sleeping bags, and portable cookware in your garage. Preparing your camping gear for off-seasons will ensure you have everything you need to go out after the snow melts. Use these tips to keep your equipment in good condition.

Optimize Your Storage Space

Organizing your storage space will keep things easily accessible when the time is right. Stash your gear in clear, sealed containers, and use labels to make finding things simple. Use a pegboard to organize hangable items, like ropes and cables.

Properly storing your roof top tent and other equipment means keeping everything off the ground. Storing large pieces of gear on a platform or wall racks is the best way to avoid dirt and water accumulation. Hang sleeping bags in a dry area to prevent mildew growth.

Clean Everything Thoroughly

To prepare your camping gear for off-seasons, you have to give everything a thorough cleaning. At best, dirty equipment will be gross and unpleasant to deal with come springtime; at worst, it will degrade and become completely unusable. Use warm water and soap to clean up tarps, tents, and other water-safe items.

A microfiber cloth should be gentle enough for all other equipment. Don’t forget to let everything dry before packing it away; dark, damp environments are breeding grounds for mold and other fungi.

Get Rid of Damaged Equipment

Off-seasons are the best times to start fresh. If your gear took a beating during this year’s camping trips, it might be time to make some upgrades. Get rid of any damaged equipment to make room for durable replacements.

It’s okay to repair items that aren’t severely damaged—it’s easy to mend small tears in your tent and sleeping bags. However, you should toss any ratty clothing, stained cooking utensils, and broken backpacks.

These steps might seem like a lot of work, but it’s worth it in the long run. When the weather improves, you’ll be grateful you took the time to prep before the off-seasons so you can hit the ground running.