How Do I Protect My Furniture When Storing?

We’re going to start with something perhaps surprising for easyStorage as a company that makes a living selling storage: if you don’t have use for a particular piece of furniture, and it has no sentimental value, it may be better to sell or donate it.

Furniture gobbles up space, and, as you’ll see, it’s never a great idea just to shove furniture somewhere for storage. Failing to prepare it or store it properly may lead to heartache.

 

 

We’re going to start with something perhaps surprising for a company that makes a living selling storage: if you don’t have use for a particular piece of furniture, and it has no sentimental value, it may be better to sell or donate it.

Furniture gobbles up space, and, as you’ll see, it’s never a great idea just to shove furniture somewhere for storage. Failing to prepare it or store it properly may lead to heartache.

However, if you do decide to store furniture - maybe because it’s a seasonal piece, a fabulous piece, something with emotional value or a family heirloom that doesn’t quite fit with your décor – here are some pointers to help make the storage a success.

 

Clean everything thoroughly

 

Original stains, paints and materials may deteriorate further over time, so, when you place it into storage, dirt that’s on furniture will have time to seep through or work its way in, becoming more ingrained into both woods and fabrics.

So before placing anything in storage, you should clean it first. For example, polish woods with a clean cloth, then vacuum and/or shampoo any upholstery. And use appropriate cleaners on metal furnishings made from brass, silver or nickel to prevent oxidation. To reduce the chances of mould or mildew, always clean fabric sofas, chairs and mattresses before storing.

Where appropriate, wipe surfaces with antibacterial cleaner. Some brands are safe for fabrics.

We probably don’t need to say it, but remove all food!

 

Dry things out

 

Let the pieces breathe and dry in a well ventilated area before wrapping or packing. Damp is a breeding ground for damp and mildew. That includes, ironically, some cleaning fluids and polishes, so allow plenty of time for them to dry before storing things away.

Waxing wood furniture helps trap in extra moisture for the wood, without creating the kind of moisture that brings problems with it.

 

Disassemble: take everything that you can apart

 

Simply throwing furniture into storage it into a storage area can result in scratching and breaking. Disassembling and properly wrapping furniture, especially wooden furniture, can reduce the chances of this kind of damage as well as making the most of space. Most tables, beds, and cabinets can and should be dismantled whenever possible.

It’s the easiest way to be able to wrap furniture and ensure everything. Some pieces of furniture are simply too unwieldy to be wrapped - disassembling solves this problem

For example, table legs, headboards and footboards are easily removed and protected. Store the screws in clear labelled plastic bags, Ziploc type. Attach or tape to the furniture somehow if possible. You’ll thank yourself later when it comes to re-assembly.

If you can’t disassemble them, use the drawers of wooden dressers with a cloth over the top of each to store belongings – or even small parts and fittings.

Always keep bits of disassembled items close together to avoid losing or confusing parts – and if you can mark them safely, all the better.

 

Packing

 

Carefully wrap all items to ensure their longevity. Wood furniture dries out, musical instruments deteriorate, fabrics fade and electronics can fail unless careful packaged. And careful packing can protect against contact with other boxes and furniture – read dents and scratches or rips - during moving.

Cover all major pieces of furniture with furniture covers or drop cloths as soon as you put them into storage – this is especially important for wood and other organic items

Wrap (dry!) metal items in plastic sheeting or shrink wrap. (Otherwise avoid plastic packing materials when you can because they are known to smother wood and fabric.) Bigger metal pieces can also be covered with furniture covers or drop cloths, although this may not prevent tarnishing quite as well.  It’s often well-advised to store silverware in its original box if you still have it and it remains in good condition.

Place padded covers, bedspreads or blankets between furniture to protect it from bumps, but use drop cloths, sheets and specialty furniture covers otherwise as they keep dust and grime away while still allowing air to circulate.

Protect glass items with layers of packaging paper or newspaper, and be sure to mark ‘fragile’ and indicate where the top is.

Wherever possible, store electronics and televisions in their original packaging. Cords should be stored along with electronic devices in the original packaging. Fill any  empty spaces in each box with shredded paper or foam peanuts to create a barrier between electronic devices and other stored items. Keep electronics off the base of boxes, or keep something available to put a layer underneath them in the storage unit as an extra guard against moisture caused by changing temperatures.

Furniture can be damaged when moving and packing close together, so wrap delicate items carefully. Think of end tables, stools, vases, lamps – they often have odd shapes and are more delicate than, say, a table or sofa. Use cushioned materials to offer them protection. (There’s a useful guide to packing lamps here: How to pack table lamps for storage or moving.)

Wrap items individually rather than in bundles as far as possible.

Furniture covers prevent dust from settling on fabric items that are in storage for long periods of time.

 

Storage

 

To maximise space, plan to store big things vertically, for example, turn sofas, mattresses and long cabinets on their ends. This makes them easy to stand around the edge of your storage space so that heavy and odd-shaped pieces have space on the floor.

Otherwise, a few handy hints include:

• Paintings and mirrors should also be situated vertically  - they can collapse under their own weight over time when laid flat.
• Cover any wobbly items with towels - and use them to brace each other upright.
• Never cram in too much – allow space for a little air to circulate.
• Leave some distance between fragile objects, and avoid stacking or leaning them together.

We’re here

 

If you’re looking for storage for however long, easyStorage is here to help. You can get a no obligation quote online at any time, day or night, and there’s even a  space calculator to help you here!

And may we wish you every success with the furniture packing.