The Littlest Pet Shop collection has been a hit with little girls for years. The value of the pets from the early 2000s continues to grow. Harder-to-find pets, like Great Danes and Collies, can fetch a more than fair sum today, so imagine what these pets will be worth in another five years. If you store your collection properly, your pets will continue to grow in value and will be resalable for even more than they will sell for today. Continue reading to learn a few tips to help you prepare, pack, and store your pets so that their condition is protected for as long as you hold on to them.

Perform a Detailed Cleaning

Each pet will need to be given a detailed cleaning. Scuff marks, marker, and paint all need to be removed from the pets prior to storing them.

One thing to remember is to never, ever submerge the pets in water. Doing so will fill their little heads with water and cause the metal fixtures up there to rust. This will greatly decrease the value of the pet.

If the pets are fairly clean, spray a bit of all-purpose cleaner on a cleaning cloth. Wipe the pet, paying special attention to the neck area.

If you find spots that won't come off with the cloth, get a bottle of Goo-Gone and pour some in a small glass. Dip a Q-tip into the solution and cover the pet with it. Set it aside for a few hours or even a day. When you return, most spots will easily come off.

Stains that won't come off even with the Goo-Gone will need some special attention. Acne cream is the solution to those trouble spots. Apply a thin coat of acne cream to the spots and set the pet out in the sun for a couple of days. Use a dampened cloth to wipe away the acne cream. If the spot came off, awesome. If not, reapply the acne cream and let the pet sit for another day or two. Eventually, every stain on the pet will come off.

Tip: Be careful when cleaning the acne cream off of the pet. Wait until the pet is cool before scrubbing it. Scrubbing pets that are very warm from being out in the sun can cause the paint to peel.

Pack the Pets

Now that you've gotten through the difficult, time-consuming step, it's time to pack the pets up. This is easy as pie; put them in a box. Don't use a plastic bin unless it has air-vents on it. You don't want any moisture to be trapped inside with the pets, or the pets could begin to grow mold.

Store the Pets

The pets need to be stored in a cool, dry area. If you don't have a place in your home that is suitable, consider leasing a small storage unit that is climate controlled. With a storage unit, you can store this collection as well as other items that you don't have the space for in your home without having to worry about it getting damaged by the climate. Look at storage facilities in your area to find one that has the accommodations and pricing that are right for you.