Furniture & Storage - The Best Tips for Storing Furniture

Storage is all about a need for extra space, whether it’s long-term or just for a few weeks. Storing your furniture takes extra care if you want to keep it in great condition. Check out these furniture-specific storage tips to preserve your favorite pieces of furniture.

1. Invest in the right storage option. Putting furniture in storage can be costly if you don’t choose the right space. If you need storage for the long haul, a climate controlled space is the right way to go. Climate control will help keep your furniture protected from the varying changes in temperature and humidity. Items like wooden furniture, antiques, sofas and chairs with delicate fabrics like leather, and musical instruments are examples of the types of items that do best in climate controlled spaces. If climate control is not available, making sure everything is clean and dry is essential. Adding a moisture control product such as Moisture Grabbers or DampCheck will keep humidity down, which can be purchased at any Jack Rabbit location.
2. Clean your furniture thoroughly. Never put dirty items in your storage unit. Dirty items will increase the chances of mildew and dust. For wooden or plastic furniture, use a mild soap and water to wipe down. If storing wood, use a wood cleaner like Murphy Oil Soap to protect the finish on the furniture. Clean fabrics with a fabric or upholstery cleaner. Make sure everything is COMPLETELY DRY before packing or storing. Polish metal sections with metal cleaner and a polishing cloth. You want to remove any existing oxidation and delay tarnish build-up.
3. Take it all apart. Before you begin moving the furniture, disassemble anything you can to prevent damage. It may seem like a hassle, but attempting to move furniture without disassembling can cause the furniture to become unstable, or even break. It also helps make wrapping, packing, and moving much easier in the long run. Put all loose screws, bolts and other tools in a sealable bag that is labeled and store alongside the furniture.
4. Wrap it up. Before putting anything in your storage space, put down a barrier between the concrete and your items. A thick plastic cover or tarp is best. This prevents moisture (known as concrete or slab sweat) from seeping into your furniture. This is especially important if the unit is not climate controlled. Never put furniture into your space uncovered. Jack Rabbit sells shrink wrap to help cover your items. If you don’t prefer to wrap with plastic, using old sheets, blankets, or drop cloths will also work, but just remember anything used to wrap around your items should be clean and dry. Wrap furniture so that it can breathe to prevent sealing in moisture. For glass or mirror pieces, wrap in bubble wrap. Don’t use tape directly on the surface of the piece.
5. Don’t cram. It may be tempting to save a little space by putting those chairs at the very top of an already crammed unit, but don’t do it! A guaranteed way to break something valuable is by shoving too much into your storage unit. Take time to organize the unit by packing larger, heavier furniture in the back of the space, then working in smaller items and boxes at the end. Leave an aisle so you can access the back of the unit if needed. Cramming items in will only lead to an increased risk of knocking things over.

Storing furniture can be made a little easier with the right tools and packing supplies. Stop by your local Jack Rabbit for all your storage needs.