Furniture endures a lot of punishment. From pet accidents to spills, furniture can take a beating. Moving furniture can also damage it if you\u2019re not careful. The ideal storage space for unused furniture is dark and climate controlled, making a StorageMart storage unit ideal.<\/p>\n
However, you\u2019ve got to get your furniture to the storage unit first, and that can be tricky. We\u2019ve experienced our share of furniture moves, and we\u2019ve seen good and bad practices. Let\u2019s talk through what you can do to protect furniture when moving.<\/p>\n
There are a few steps you can take to protect your furniture and increase your furniture\u2019s lifespan. The first step is to clean and dry your furniture thoroughly before storing it. Upholstered furniture can be vacuumed and cared for with a fabric cleaner. Wood pieces can be gently wiped down and (if indicated for your pieces) waxed or polished. Metal pieces can be polished, as well, to protect the finish.<\/p>\n
The next step is to do whatever you can to get your furniture off the floor; this is especially important for garage floors. At a minimum, you can place plastic on the ground to protect your furniture from the floor\u2019s hard surface. If possible, use pallets or cinder blocks to raise your furniture. This step will protect your pieces from accidental water damage and moisture.<\/p>\n
If you have the time, experts suggest disassembling wood pieces before storing them. Doing this can save space when storage is tight and can protect furniture when moving. The one thing you should avoid is stacking furniture because it can weaken the structure and compromise joints.<\/p>\n
Finally, make sure all your furniture is covered to protect it from dust and scratching. You can use drop cloths, blankets, special furniture covers, or plastic wrap. (Just make sure the plastic is not wrapped so securely as to prevent air from circulating.)<\/p>\n
Sometimes, you just need to store large items like furniture where you can. If you\u2019re transitioning spaces or navigating a life event, you may not have any other option. In these cases, garages or attics are common spaces to keep furniture.<\/p>\n
However, these options aren\u2019t always the best and can often damage your furniture. Exposure to extreme temperatures and humidity swings can cause warping, rotting, cracking, mildew, and mold. Pests can also become a problem, as insects and rodents can make cozy beds in soft furniture or chew away at wooden furniture.<\/p>\n
One of the best ways to store furniture is using a storage unit. Not only are they dark, convenient, and easily accessible, but climate controlled units can help your furniture<\/a> stay in excellent condition. The consistent temperature will prevent wood from warping or cracking while the low humidity will prevent mold and mildew from forming, and at StorageMart, our units will be pest-free, too.<\/p>\n You can rent our climate controlled self storage units<\/strong><\/a> on a month-by-month basis. Check out our storage unit guide<\/strong><\/a> to find the ideal place for your furniture, antiques, record albums, and other collectibles that can be damaged by exposure to heat and temperature swings. If that sounds like something that could make your life easier, rent a unit online<\/strong><\/a> today.<\/p>\n Updated February 13, 2020<\/em><\/p>\n