Moving your furniture into a storage facility is a smart solution if you need to store it for an extended time. Purchasing new furniture can run into a big expense, so it's important that you prepare and store it properly. Follow these simple tips to ensure your furniture remains free of damage while inside the storage unit.
Clean and Vacuum the Furniture
Prepping your furniture for extended storage is a step that you should not dismiss or rush. Dust and dirt that's left on furniture for several months can cause stains and odors. Clean your wood furniture by removing the dust and then use a cleaner—made specifically for wood—to polish and protect the finish. Clean upholstered furniture by thoroughly vacuuming all fabric surfaces and then apply a fabric cleaner according to the directions on the container. Let all pieces of furniture dry completely (overnight is best) before proceeding on to the next step of disassembling the furniture.
Disassemble and Wrap the Pieces for Storage
To make heavy pieces of furniture lighter to carry and to simplify stacking the furniture inside the unit, dissemble as much of the furniture as you can. This includes detaching legs from tables, removing drawers from dressers, and taking apart bed frames. Keep screws, bolts, and other small pieces together by placing them into a lidded container or a resealable storage bag. Wrapping your furniture in old quilts, moving blankets, or bed sheets will protect your furniture from getting dusty while in the storage unit. The padding that quilts and blankets provide helps to keep furniture protected during the moving process. It's not advisable to wrap furniture in plastic, as this can cause condensation and mold growth because of minimal air circulation.
Place the Furniture Inside the Unit
You do not want to place your furniture directly on the floor of the unit as the moisture can warp or damage the furniture. Place wooden pallets or concrete blocks on the ground to keep the furniture up off the floor. Carry the larger items into the unit first and place them against the back wall. Store your couch horizontally and avoid placing it on its end, as this can cause stress on the arm. Place lighter items on top of heavier pieces but don't stack furniture too high or it may topple over. Leave space between the furniture as you're stacking it, so that you've got room to navigate to the back of the unit.
For more tips and tricks, contact a local moving and storage company such as Glaser and Sons Moving.
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