How to Clean and Store Summer Gear Before Montreal's Fall Sets In

August in Montreal has a way of feeling endless — and then suddenly, Labour Day weekend arrives and the air changes overnight. Before you know it, you're reaching for a sweater and wondering where the summer went. This is the perfect window to clean and properly store your summer gear while the weather is still warm enough to work outside comfortably.

Doing this right now saves you from the unpleasant surprise of pulling out musty, stained, or damaged items next spring. Here's how to handle the most common summer gear, room by room and category by category.

Inflatable Pool Toys and Kiddie Pools

These are the biggest culprits for mold and mildew over the winter. Before deflating anything, give it a thorough wipe-down with a solution of warm water and a small amount of white vinegar. Pay extra attention to seams and folds where moisture collects. Let everything dry completely in the sun — and we mean completely, not just surface-dry — before storing. Storing even slightly damp inflatables in a Montreal basement or storage unit is a recipe for mold by March.

Camping and Sports Equipment

• Tents: Set them up one last time in the yard or on your balcony, shake out debris, spot-clean any dirt with mild soap and a soft brush, and air them out fully before packing them away.
• Sleeping bags: Check the care label — most can be machine-washed on a gentle cycle. Dry thoroughly on low heat with a couple of clean tennis balls to keep the fill from clumping.
• Coolers: Wash the interior with warm soapy water, then wipe with a diluted baking soda solution to neutralize odors. Leave the lid slightly ajar in storage to prevent that stale smell.
• Sports bags and gear: Empty everything out, turn bags inside out, and machine-wash if possible. Wipe down helmets, pads, and hard surfaces with a disinfecting wipe.

Beach Towels and Outdoor Linens

Wash all beach towels, picnic blankets, and outdoor cushion covers before putting them away. Sand and sunscreen residue can degrade fabric fibers over time. Wash on a warm cycle with an extra rinse to fully remove product buildup. Make sure everything is bone dry before folding and storing — even a slightly damp towel in a bin for eight months will smell terrible by May.

Water Bottles, Thermoses, and Reusable Cups

Summer hydration gear often hides bacteria in lids, straws, and gaskets. Disassemble everything fully and wash each component separately. A bottle brush and warm soapy water work well for interiors. For stubborn odors, soak overnight in a mixture of water and baking soda. Store with lids off so air can circulate.

A Quick Note on Where You Store Things

Montreal's winters are hard on storage spaces. Garages, sheds, and unheated basements experience dramatic temperature and humidity swings between August and April. Wherever possible, store cleaned gear in sealed bins or bags to protect against dust, pests, and moisture. Silica gel packets inside bins can help absorb excess humidity during the cold months.

Taking two or three hours this August to clean and store your summer gear properly is one of those small investments that pays off enormously in the spring. Your future self, pulling out a fresh-smelling tent in May, will thank you.