Top 8 Tips For Safe Furniture Storage

Not everyone knows how to properly store their furniture. Below are our top 10 tips for making the most out of your storage space, while making sure your belongings are stored in the best way possible:

1. Make An Inventory 

Take note of everything that you own. You never know your furniture until you start noting it down and making a list. This makes it easier to understand what kind of precautions you have to take when storing your furniture.

Are you storing precious art? Beautiful marble countertops? Sleek wood furniture? Having a general idea of what you’ll be storing also informs you if you should be getting temperature-controlled storage or not.

2. Clean And Condition Your Furniture  

This is the number one tip for furniture storage Brisbane clients should follow. Your first line of defence against furniture breaking down is ensuring that they’re in good condition before you bring them to the storage space. Protect your things by cleaning them thoroughly with a wipe cloth and duster.

Mild soap and water works well for just about everything. You will need to vacuum carpets, couches, and any other upholstery to get dust out from them. Adding baking soda to the surface of a couch after vacuuming helps clean out bad odours, making your upholstery fresher for longer.

3. Use Drop-Cloths And Sheet Blankets  

Now that you’ve dusted every nook and cranny of your furniture, it’s time to accept the fact that they will get dust again over time. Prepare sheet blankets to drape around your furniture to keep dust from settling in while you’re away.

Make sure not to use heavy plastic material as cover, as these can trap moisture in your furniture. Too much humidity can cause the furniture to swell, and in worst case scenarios, rot.

Plastic covers attract condensation, which can produce mould and mildew in your items. Ensure that your covers are made from lightweight materials that will allow air to “breathe” through the fabric.

4. Cover The Floor With A Sheet  

Storage units are typically made of concrete flooring, and while that doesn’t really make or break a storage unit, we recommend adding a fabric sheet to protect the surface of your furniture from getting scraped.

Placing a sheeting on the floor also helps prevent moisture from seeping into your furniture. This is especially true for storage units that aren’t climate-controlled. You may choose to bring in palettes to elevate your items off the floor and keep them safe from possible floods.

5. Wrap Fragile Items  

You might be thinking, “why do I have to wrap my items if they’re just going to be sitting in a room for a while?” That’s true, but think about what happens before, during, and after you move your items in.

People can get lost in the hubbub and forget where they placed an expensive antique mirror or a precious glass-top table. Wrap all fragile materials with cellophane and fabric to protect them from bumps. Adding an extra layer of bubble wrap usually does the trick.

We don’t recommend using tape directly onto a glass surface, since the adhesive from the tape can cause gooey residue that will be tough to clean later.

6. Take Furniture Apart  

You might be able to skip this step if you’re only moving a couple of items in. But more often than not it’s necessary to take apart big furniture pieces – your bed, your dining table and chairs, your sofa – to make more room for everything.

More importantly, taking things apart reduces the risk of things breaking or scratching in transit. Take note of screws, bolts, and other small pieces that came out of the furniture, and store them in a labelled bag. We recommend taking photos of assembled pieces so you won’t have a hard time putting them back together later on.

7. Is This Permanent Or Temporary?  

Are you storing your items for a couple of weeks or a couple of months? Are you doing this to free up space in your home or are you planning to sell this furniture eventually?

Knowing the purpose behind your storage space will give you a better idea of what to keep and what to toss. If you know that these items are being stored more for their emotional value than actual practical use, considering throwing out or selling a few pieces. Fewer items mean hiring a smaller storage space, which means more savings for you.

8. Check Your Storage Space Every Now And Then   

Responsible storage unit owners know that it doesn’t end when you move the furniture in. Routine visits keep you updated on your furniture’s condition, and will give you a good idea of their value over time.

Visits don’t have to be frequent. You can choose to visit every month to do some dusting, a little bit of cleaning, and just making sure that everywhere is right where it should be.

If you’re looking for storage in Brisbane North, Giffen Furniture Removals is a furniture storage solution Brisbane households know and love. We provide access to secure, clean, and reliable storage space at reasonable prices. Call us today to get a fast, free quote.