Whether you’re decluttering, downsizing, or between places, there will probably be times when you’ll find you need somewhere safe and secure to store your furniture. Once you’ve found a reliable facility with storage space for rent, the next step is to get your furniture ready for hibernation. There’s a lot that can happen to a dining table during transport, and being locked away for months at a time is not the natural state of a three seater couch, which is most comfortable lounging around with friends or at work at supporting a family. In this blog, we tell you how you can prepare your furniture to ensure it’s still in tip-top condition when it comes out of storage.
Clean Your Furniture
Before you do anything with your furniture, you want to clean it thoroughly. If there is any dust, dirt, or oil clinging to the surface, leaving it to marinate for months at a stretch can lead to permanent damage.
Upholstered Furniture
Start by using a dry cloth to remove dust and vacuum all upholstery, making sure you get into all the nooks and crannies where contaminants tend to hide (i.e. crumbs, coins, rogue raisins & escaped lollipops). Try a stain remover on any oil spots, but make sure your upholstery is completely dry before you put it in storage, as moisture can lead to mould.
Leather Furniture
Once dust and dirt have been wiped away and the upholstery has been vacuumed, it’s a good idea to use a specialised leather-cleaning product on your leather furniture. Leather cleaner and conditioner kits can be picked up at any good hardware store.
Wooden Furniture
Products for cleaning wood can also be picked from your local hardware store. A thorough going-over using one of these and a damp cloth will ensure your timber furniture is free of dirt, oil, and other contaminants that could damage the wood if left too long. Applying a high-quality wood polisher will also offer protection while the furniture remains in storage. As with leather and upholstered furniture, make sure your timber pieces are completely dry ahead of going into storage.
Metal Furniture
Metal furniture is the easiest to clean; most of the time, all it really needs is a good wipe down. However, if it’s the kind of metal that’s prone to tarnishing, we recommend applying a coat of polish before locking it away.
Use Breathable Protective Covering
Once your furniture has been cleaned, wrapping it in a protective layer will help keep pollutants out. Use breathable materials – old bedsheets, curtains, tablecloths, and cuts of fabric are perfect. Thicker blankets will protect your furniture from scratches and dents resulting from those knocks that are an inevitable consequence of moving.
Bubble wrap can perform the same function as blankets, but make sure you place it OVER a breathable layer of fabric. Never put plastic wrap in direct contact with wooden or leather surfaces, as this can lead to condensation and encourage the growth of mildew. For the same reason, we suggest using rope rather than plastic tape to hold your coverings in place.
Call Moor Room Today
We have 20 years of experience providing affordable self storage for individuals and businesses in Melbourne. With personalised service and round-the-clock access, we have the room, the tools, and the tips you need for an easy, self-storage experience. Call any one of our five locations or message us online today.
