We all know that furniture is probably one of the most expensive investments at home. Sometimes, they may also hold a sentimental value passed down from generation to generation. As you might know, the durability of your furniture and its ability to protect sensitive properties depends on how you maintain them. Especially when it comes to long-term storage, how you pack your furniture significantly impacts its future usability. After all, the last thing anybody would want is to open up the storage space only to notice warps and mold build up in the furniture.

This article will list some simple yet effective steps to consider when packing your furniture for long-term storage.

Deep Clean

Although often overlooked, cleaning is one of the most important steps to prepare your furniture for long-term storage. If not, it’s easy for the accumulated dust, debris, moisture, and dirt to feed on the furniture during storage, leaving behind stubborn stains and mold and even damaging them altogether.

How you should deep clean your furniture depends on the material and other special requirements for the type of furniture. Normally your furniture will come with a guide on how to clean them, or you can browse for the type of cleaning your furniture requires.

Disassemble Parts

If you can completely disassemble furniture, then consider doing it. This makes it easier to pack your furniture, transport them to a self-storage unit, and, most importantly, pack them neatly. Just make sure to put the disassembled parts into a bag and keep it along with the furniture – so it’s easy to assemble them back.

Pack Them

Before packaging the furniture, add a layer of protection with old sheets, blankets, or drop cloths. Then pick breathable materials to pack the furniture, to prevent any mold build-up.

Normally plastic wrap is a versatile option for packing furniture of all kinds. Don’t wrap it too tightly, and avoid shrink-wrapping furniture, especially if you live in a humid climate. Cover glass or ceramic furniture in a layer of packing paper, and then use bubble wrap to create a padding layer for extra safety.

Cover The Floor

Your furniture can absorb moisture from the floor and increase the chances of damage. So before you place the furniture, line the floor with plastic sheeting. You can also try to raise the furniture by putting down pallets or cinder blocks, then cover it with a plastic sheet before organizing or stacking the furniture.

Place Furniture Strategically

Even if you want to save storage space, it is important to strategically place the furniture so that (1) you don’t rip or damage the packaging of nearby pieces, and (2) you don’t create unnecessary stress and pressure that can damage the furniture, leaving scratches and dents. For example, don’t store sofas or couches on the side; leave at least a few inches between each piece so there is enough air circulation.

Consider Climate-Control for Long-Term Storage

While the right packaging and where you store the furniture make a huge difference in the durability of your furniture, we can’t escape the fact that furniture does get affected by temperature conditions. This is where solutions like climate-controlled storage can be of help.

Climate-controlled storage units maintain a temperature between 55–80 degrees Fahrenheit to help mitigate damage from humidity. This eliminates all possible temperature fluctuations and their related effects on your furniture or other temperature-sensitive items in general.