The pieces of furniture in our homes, one way or another, have already been with us for a long time. Moreover, they already have sentimental value to us because we basically grew up seeing and using them. This is why we invest in furniture because they’re very useful and basically timeless. But let’s face it, you won’t always be using them because you will also have to free up some space at home. Of course, you don’t throw them! You store them. But how can you exactly store your furniture in a storage unit without degrading their quality or damaging their condition? Keep in mind that every piece of furniture you will put up for storage needs extra care and it would require some work for you to be able to store them properly.
To help you with furniture storage concerns, here are 7 best ways to help you store them in your storage unit.
1. Clean Your Furniture Properly
Before putting your furniture up for storage, see to it that everything is thoroughly cleaned. And we’re not just talking about wiping off dirt on the surface of your furniture because this one will involve cleaning to help avoid dusts, molds, as well as foul odors from easily building up while they’re in the storage unit.
Take note of some of the following cleaning tips for your furniture:
- For furniture items such as fabric couches and dining chairs with leather upholstery, use cleaning tools specifically made for those types of materials to avoid damage of some sort. Make sure that everything is dried up before you store them.
- Metal parts of furniture should be wiped clean using a metal polisher. This will help delay any possibilities of tarnish or rust.
- Wooden furniture with wood worms and other infestations should be treated first before storage because this can cause pests to hover it, and might do so with other belongings in the unit.
- Vacuum every side of your sofa to avoid leaving any trace of food crumbs that can also attract pests on your furniture.
- Use warm water and soap to thoroughly clean your wooden furniture. Wipe them dry, then use a wood cleaner or wax to help maintain their moisture and shine.
2. Dismantle the Furniture Parts
This goes for pieces of furniture that can be disassembled when not in use, such as chairs, study desks, tables, bookshelves, etc. Dismantling them will help save space when you put them up for storage and will make it easier to transport and carry. This will also avoid any tendencies of scratches and other damages to your furniture while in storage.
Tip: Given the extra space in the unit, do still avoid storing too much inside. Make sure that all your furniture items have enough distance from one another.
3. Be Extra Careful With Glass Furniture
Furniture items such as tables with glass tops and mirrors need extra care to prevent them from breaking. Make sure to wrap the glass or the delicate part of the furniture using a bubble wrap. For extra protection, you can also opt to put the entire furniture in a box, but make sure that it is long and wide enough to store it. Also mark it as “Fragile or Breakable” to give a reminder of caution and care.
4. Cover Each Furniture
Every piece of furniture that you will put up for storage, especially if it’s in a storage unit, has to be covered. You can use drop cloths, plastic wraps, or some old blankets to cover any of your furniture items. Be careful not to overly wrap them too thickly and tightly because this can lock moisture in your furniture which is not good because it can damage the quality. Loosely wrap or cover them, so there is still air properly flowing through the furniture.
5. Don’t Directly Place Them on the Floor
When storing your furniture, don’t directly place them on the floor. Make sure that there is a protective layer under each of them that will help keep them off the ground. You can use cinder blocks or wooden pallets to help elevate them or you can also use cardboards and tarps instead as your protective layer. This is to avoid breaking and corner chip offs. It also promotes air circulation to the furniture.
6. Avoid Leaving Food Behind
Aside from directly cleaning off food crumbs on your furniture, you also have to avoid storing any perishable items in your storage unit because this will attract pests, and we don’t want that, right? To be safe, avoid putting cardboard boxes in your storage unit that’s been used prior to store food. Although storage unit facilities provide pest control to help ensure your belongings, it’s still better to be extra careful.
7. Consider Your Storage Unit Options
There are a variety of storage unit sizes available depending on your need for storage space. So you have to consider how many of your furniture or any of your belongings you will put up for storage. If you are planning to store your furniture for quite some time, it’s advisable to get a climate-controlled unit. This type of unit will help ensure that your furniture is kept away from moisture and temperature fluctuations.
Storing your furniture pieces may look complicated at first with all the specifications, but it isn’t. It just depends on how much you want to properly store your furniture and maintain its good condition.
Are you in need of a storage space unit for your furniture? Contact us today and we will be glad to assist you!
