7 Furniture Storage Tips

Published on 6/16/2020
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Seven Tips for Furniture Storage

Use our quick tips to protect furniture in your storage unit.

Clean Thoroughly

  • Protect furniture in storage by only putting clean items in storage. Cleaning will significantly cut down on the chance of mold and the amount of dust in your storage space.
      • Wooden or plastic furniture, use a mild soap and water. For wooden pieces specifically, and especially antiques, use a wood cleaner like Murphy Oil Soap to protect the existing finish on the wood.
    • Couches - Be sure to clean fabric items like couches or seat cushions with fabric or upholstery cleaner. Check that everything is completely dry before you start packing it up. Storing furniture that is damp is a recipe for mold.
    • Metal - Polish any metal pieces with a cloth and metal cleaner. This step will help remove any existing oxidation and delay the build-up of tarnish.

    Break It Down

    • Before you move furniture from its original location, disassemble anything you can — this includes desks, bookshelves, tables, chairs, etc. This extra step will make your truck, and later your self storage unit, much easier to load. And it will also reduce the likelihood of breaking or scratching anything.
    • Put all bolts, screws, allen wrenches, and other small items in labeled baggies, which will be stored alongside the furniture piece to which it belongs. Use some painters tape to tape the baggie to the interior of the furniture so it doesn’t get lost.

    Cover Furniture

    • Make sure everything is completely covered, which includes the floor. Before putting anything inside your storage unit, put down thick plastic sheeting on the floor to prevent moisture from the floor from seeping into your furniture.
    • Always put furniture into your self storage unit covered. You can use old sheets, blankets, drop cloths or plastic wrap to cover the pieces and protect them from dust and moisture. Take care not to wrap furniture with thick plastic covers that will seal in moisture because that can cause condensation and the furniture would eventually swell. Wrap furniture so that it can breathe by loosely draping the material over the furniture.

    Get Furniture Off the Floor

    Avoid putting furniture pieces or anything that could be ruined directly on the floor or against exterior walls. Consider using pallets or cinder blocks to raise the floor. Even a layer of cardboard or a drop cloth is better than nothing.

    Protect Glass Items

    Glass tabletops and mirrors require extra precautions. Wrap the item with packing paper. Don’t tape the paper directly to the glass, as it can leave a nasty residue for you to clean later. Either cover the glass in bubble wrap or put the entire item into a box for extra security. Use a box that matches the shape of your item. E.g. long and wide, but relatively flat.

    Never Store Food

    Do not put anything perishable in your storage facility that may attract bugs or neighborhood critters. While this especially applies to packing your kitchen items it also extends to any cardboard storage boxes you use—don’t use anything that previously came from a grocery store or might be soiled in any way. While Olympic Self Storage treats for pests, you can never be too careful.

    Don’t Cram

    • The recommended way to store furniture is to not overdo it. A guaranteed way to break something valuable is by shoving too much into your storage unit. Take a moment to organize your storage unit for easy access. Pack furniture methodically by starting with the largest pieces and working in boxes and small items in at the end. If you get onsite and realize you need more or less space please give us a call. We are happy to move you to the next size larger or smaller storage unit.
    • Leave an aisle to access the back and sides of your unit. If you keep your storage space clean and decluttered it helps protect furniture and other contents. If you try to cram in more and more things, you risk knocking things over, bending pieces and causing other damage.
    If you have any questions or suggestions for other tips please contact us.