The Dos and Don’ts of Storing Furniture

The Dos and Don’ts of Storing Furniture

Whether you need to find a home for a surplus sofa that won’t fit into your new home or are moving office and need to store some desks and chairs temporarily, there are a number of things you need to consider before putting furniture into storage.

To help you prepare and choose the right location to store your stuff, we’ve put together a quick guide to the dos and don’ts. Everything you need to know about keeping your furniture safe in storage is covered below – so let’s get into it!

Do: Clean your furniture first

This is a must. If you put dirty furniture into storage, you could encounter issues when you come to retrieve it. First off, stains can attract pests. If you leave food stains or crumbs on the fabric, rodents or other pests may get in and do a number on your upholstery. Not good.

Secondly, if stains are left to dwell on fabric for an extended period of time, they can become virtually impossible to remove. It’s always a good idea to get rid of stains as soon as they occur because, the longer you leave them, the harder they will be to get out.

Once you’ve cleaned everything, make sure your items are fully dry before they’re placed into storage. If they’re not, they could remain damp for a while and go mouldy.

Don’t: Leave your items unprotected

We’d recommend wrapping up all your furniture to protect it further from pests and dampness. Wood and fabric upholstery in particular are susceptible to moisture damage, so don’t take any risks – wrap your items in plastic bags to keep them safe.

You can only safely get away with leaving your stuff unprotected in a temperature and humidity-controlled storage facility, which is an expensive option (and there aren’t too many places like this around).

Do: Consider disassembling everything

Want to save money and hire a fairly small storage unit? The easy way to make the most of every inch of space is to disassemble your furniture and package it neatly. A side table or bed, for instance, will take up a lot less space when it’s disassembled – and it’ll be easier to move, too.

Don’t: Store in a shed or similar

Sheds and similar outdoor storage options aren’t a great idea for furniture. They’re far too easily entered by pests and a magnet for moisture, which can have a detrimental effect on your furniture over an extended period – even if you think you’ve wrapped it securely. Your best bet is to hire a dry, indoor storage unit.

Great-value storage in Peterborough

Speaking of storage units, why not take a look at our extensive range of storage units and options in Peterborough? We have a wide range of unit sizes to choose from, all of which are available with 24-hour access – and we have CCTV monitoring in place for peace of mind. Learn more today or get a quick quote online.