How do you protect the wooden furniture in storage? You just need to take the time to store it correctly. But let’s be realistic, because, in order for the furniture to remain in excellent condition, you need to work a little. With these tips for storing wooden furniture, you can protect any piece of furniture, regardless of material — from desks and tables to chairs and couches, whether it’s priceless heirlooms or inexpensive bed that awaits your child’s return from college. Keep reading to learn how to store wooden furniture in a storage room or garage, regardless of whether space is climate-controlled.
1. Explore your options for storing wooden furniture
Putting furniture in storage can be an expensive solution. Do you keep it for a long time or sell furniture and buy new when the time comes? The average cost of a storage unit varies, but in many cases, the choice of storing furniture makes sense if you are in the middle of a move with Cooper City FL movers or are in transition.
When storing furniture out of wood, protection from the elements is of utmost importance. Consider all your options before choosing a storage location. If you are serious about storing this furniture for a long time, you may need climate-controlled storage Fort Lauderdale.
Climate control ensures that your valuable pieces of furniture are protected from moisture and temperature changes (and also keeps a pleasant temperature when you visit) Things such as wooden furniture, tools, antiques, and sofas with delicate fabrics are best suited for this type of unit.
However, there are measures you can take to protect furniture, even if climate control is not an option. You must ensure that everything is clean, dry, and well protected.
2. Thoroughly clean everything
Protect furniture during storage and never put dirty objects inside. Not only will unpleasant odors spread to nearby objects, but cleaning will also significantly reduce the likelihood of mold and the amount of dust in your storage room. A few tips for cleaning wooden furniture for storage:
- Use soft soap and water when cleaning for storing wooden furniture. For wood parts, especially for antiques, use a wood cleaner to protect the existing finish on the wood surface.
- Be sure to clean cloth items such as couches or seat cushions with a cloth or upholstery cleaner. Make sure everything is completely dry before proceeding with packing.
- If there are some metal parts, polish them with a polishing cloth and metal cleaner. This step will help remove any existing oxidation and delay the formation of tarnish.
3. Disassemble everything
Before movers Fort Lauderdale FL come and load your furniture, disassemble everything you can — tables, bookshelves, tables, chairs, and more. This extra step will greatly simplify the packing of your truck, and then your self-storage. And it will also reduce the chance of breakage or scratches. Place all screws, bolts, hex wrenches, and other small items in a labeled bag that will be stored next to the piece of furniture to which it belongs.
4. Wrap wooden furniture for long-term storage
Make sure everything is completely covered, including the floor. Before putting anything in your storage space, place a thick plastic film on the floor so that moisture does not leak into your furniture. This step is especially important if you are not in a climate-controlled space.
Also, never put wooden furniture in your storage without a cover. Use old sheets, blankets, cloths, or plastic wrap to cover the pieces and protect them from dust and moisture. Be careful not to wrap the furniture with thick plastic covers that will be moisture resistant, as this can lead to condensation and the furniture will eventually swell. Wrap the furniture so that it can breathe freely by throwing material on it.
5. Protect glass parts
It is clear that glass countertops and mirrors require some additional precautions. Wrap a piece with wrapping paper first. Do not attach paper directly to the glass, as it will leave unpleasant marks for later cleaning. After that, either cover the glass with bubble pack or place the entire item in a box for added security. Use a long and wide box, but relatively flat, similar to the shape of the item itself.
6. Lift the furniture off the floor
Whenever you store wooden furniture without climate control, do not place furniture or items that may be damaged directly on the floor. Using pallets or cinder blocks to raise from the floor, you add an additional layer of protection against flooding. Even a layer of cardboard or cloth is better than nothing.
7. Do not leave food behind
Regardless of whether you are storing wooden furniture for a long time or for several months, never leave anything perishable in your storage, which can lead to the appearance of bugs or unwanted creatures. This advice applies to any storage cartons you use – never use anything that came from the grocery store or might have been contaminated in any way. The best advice is to use only quality packing supplies for your storage. Although storage facilities are regularly exposed to pest control, you can never be too careful.
8. Do not squeeze too much inside
The best way to keep wooden furniture in storage is not to overdo it. An unmistakable way to break something valuable is to put too much into your unit. Spend a little time organizing your storage for easy access. If there is too much of it, you can always donate some of your furniture. Pack your furniture methodically, starting with the largest items and ending with boxes and small items.
Make sure there is always a passage for access to the back and sides of your unit. Try to keep your storage space clean and tidy to protect wooden furniture and other contents. When you try to squeeze more and more things, you risk turning things over, bending them, and doing other damage.
Storing wooden furniture should not be difficult or stressful. In conclusion, one of the biggest mistakes people make is either to spend too much on a unit too large or getting the one not big enough. Make sure you select the appropriate storage size for the number of things you have.