When you are faced with the daunting task of moving, whether it is locally or a long-distance move, the last thing you need to worry about is whether your furniture will survive the storage units. The power should still be in your hands; the state of your furniture when it finally leaves storage relies on you. There are measures you can take before storage to preserve your furniture from any form of deterioration due to external factors. Below is a list of 5 tips to keeping your furniture safe in long-term storage.
- Clean and dry everything
Before sending your furniture off to storage, you must be sure that everything is clean and dry. Wipe down every piece with a clean piece of cloth. Use appropriate cleaners for different types of material, for example wood cleaners, glass cleaners, etc. Wipe everything down at least twice, ensuring no moisture is trapped in cracks and crevices. Leave the furniture items in an airy room for at least two days to dry completely.
- Disassemble
Most beds, couches and tables can be broken down by removing the legs and other components. Disassembly will help to save on storage space, as smaller pieces tend to take up less space. Disassembly also protects from accidental breakages, mildew and rust. When furniture is disassembled, more air is allowed to circulate around the pieces, keeping away moisture which causes deterioration.
- Plastic wrapping
Wrap furniture pieces in plastic shrink wrapping. This keeps the furniture dry and keeps away any pests that would otherwise nest in between the pieces. Plastic wrapping also prevents the growth of mildew and other fungi that thrive in moist and warm spaces. However, avoid wrapping wood and cloth in plastic as these need air to circulate around them during storage.
- Raise furniture off the ground
During storage, make sure that you keep your furniture from touching the ground. Often times, the ground is the first part of a building or structure that gets wet. If your furniture remains raised, chances of getting damaged in the event that the structure is flooded are minimal. A raised surface for your furniture also ensures that the air circulates well in the storage unit.
- Use a climate-controlled storage unit
As much as the above tips help to keep your furniture in great condition during long-term storage, it is advisable to go with a climate controlled storage unit. Most reputable moving companies offer this as a service. Climate-controlled storage units keep the temperature and conditions within the units at an optimum level eliminating the chance of mildew, fungi and pests thriving among your items. They may cost a bit more but in the end, your peace of mind is what matters most.
If you observe these 5 tips, you will have taken care of half the headache that can come with moving. It is best to make sure that as your furniture goes into storage, your mind will be at peace knowing that when you finally come to collect, everything will be as you left it.
