Finding a place to keep your furniture may be necessary when moving across town or needing additional space in your home. You may need to disassemble and label the furniture for safekeeping and easy retrieval from storage centers. Here are some tips for preparing your furniture for storage:
Clean Your Furniture
Clean your furniture to prevent discoloration from stains or spills. Use a non-abrasive cleaner to wipe the furniture. A gentle soap and wood cleaner can cater to your wooden furniture. For metallic furniture, use a polishing cloth and steel wool to remove rust and avoid oxidation during storage. A vacuum cleaner may help you clean upholstered furniture. Using a lint roller can remove dust or debris on certain items. Let the furniture dry fully before packing it into storage centers to prevent damage caused by moisture.
Disassemble Large Items
Taking apart desks, shelves, and sofas may create more space in your storage unit. Pull drawers out of the units and separate the parts of large items. Consider stacking the pieces together to use less space and enable easier assembly. Take pictures as you disassemble the items to help you during reassembly. You may attach a bag with screws, hinges, and bolts on the items you draw them from.
Wrap Your Furniture
Use bubble wrap if you have breakable equipment like mirrors and glass desktops. Putting bubble wrap around the legs of the furniture may prevent them from damaging other furniture. Consider wrapping your sofas, chairs, and desks using fabric covers that allow air circulation. Avoid plastic sheeting that may trap moisture. Packing tape can help you hold the wrap in place. For upholstered furniture, use plastic covers that protect against moisture and dust.
Choose a Fitting Storage Unit
Consider the size of your furniture before choosing a unit to make sure the unit has sufficient space. You can visit your storage unit and plan a layout to make sure you can easily access your furniture. Look for a unit that is clean, dry, and safe.
Cover the Floor
You may put a plastic sheet lining on the floor to protect your furniture from moisture. Consider raising items off the ground before stacking your furniture in the unit. You can use pallets and cinder blocks covered with plastic sheets to raise the ground. Certain storage units also offer raised storage.
Plan for Easy Retrieval
Consider stacking heavy furniture items at the bottom and light ones at the top to avoid excess pressure on light furniture. Items with sharp edges may lead to damage when placed on upholstered furniture. Consider finding space to store units as they were designed. Storing sofas on their sides for a prolonged period may lead to damage due to weakening joints. Put the items you will need more often close to the exit to get them out easily.
Consider Climate-controlled Storage
You may need a climate-controlled unit to store delicate furniture pieces. Due to varying temperatures, such pieces can be damaged when they expand and contract. Climate-controlled storage enables safe long-term storage by maintaining temperatures that prevent humidity or freezing temperatures.
Find Quality Storage Centers Today
Moving or seeking additional space may require you to store your furniture. You can prepare by cleaning the furniture, disassembling large items, using appropriate wrappings for your furniture, and looking for a fitting storage unit. For delicate furniture and long-term storage, you may prioritize climate-controlled storage from reputable storage centers that reduce extreme humidity or cold temperatures. Contact an established storage center to help you prepare your furniture and keep it safe when you need to store it for an extended period of time.