Are you moving to a new home or office? If so, you likely have a lot of furniture. It might be beneficial to place your belongings into a storage unit! To ensure your furniture remains in tip top shape, you’ll need to know some trips and tricks. Here are five tips that will help you store your furniture safely and effectively.
1. Make sure everything is clean first.
Make sure your furniture is clean before you store it. If you don’t, your items might have an unpleasant smell when you retrieve them from your unit. The cleaner your furniture, the less likely your items will develop mold. If your furniture is wood, use a gentle soap and water mixture to clean the surfaces. For fabric, use a fabric cleaner and allow it to fully dry before placing your items in storage.
2. Take your furniture apart, if possible.
Taking apart your furniture will save space in your moving vehicle and your storage unit. Place a blanket between pieces to make sure nothing gets broken or scratched. In addition, place all hardware in a baggie, and make sure not to lose it! If necessary, tape the baggie to one of your items to make sure nothing is misplaced in transit.
3. Cover your furniture.
When you get to your unit, put a layer of plastic on the ground. It will help keep moisture out of your personal items. Then, cover your furniture with a sheet or other plastic layer to keep out dust, moisture, and bugs. Make sure the sheet or plastic layer is placed loosely over your items.
4. Label any fragile items or breakables.
If you have furniture with glass tabletops, wrap them in a layer of protective packing paper. Place the tabletop in a layer of bubble wrap for extra safety. Mark these items “FRAGILE” in large, bold letters.
5. Keep things off the floor.
Never place furniture directly on the floor. Use wood palettes or cinder blocks to raise them up in case of flooding or other natural disasters. If you don’t have access to these things, a blanket or plastic sheet will work.