Using linseed oil on your wood furniture will help to protect your heirloom keepsakes.
You may be surprised to know that your furniture should be prepared before moving into a storage unit. Prepping will help to protect your furniture from mold, rust, or oxidation, whether you have an antique heirloom piece or are storing your tools while you move to another location. Let’s take a look at how you can prepare your furniture for long-term storage.
Clean Your Furniture
By cleaning your furniture, tools, and mattresses, you will prevent odours from traveling into neighbouring public storage units. The other benefit is, clean furniture will be less likely to attract mold and dust - increasing the lifespan of your furniture.
Follow these cleaning tips:
- Start with warm soapy water to clean all wood and plastic surfaces. Antiques and wood furniture will need a coat of linseed oil to protect the finish of the wood.
- Clean couches, and all soft material items with an upholstery cleaner, to remove dust and mites.
- Before vacuum sealing or storing furniture, be sure that it is completely dry.
- Wipe metal surfaces with a polishing cloth. This will remove any oxidation on your precious silver and help to delay build-up while in storage.
- Use mineral oil to protect tools and metal furniture, this will prevent rust and seized components.
Disassemble Large Furniture
When it comes to large kitchen tables, specialty items like pool tables, or bed frames, you will want to disassemble these pieces to help save space in your self-storage unit. Another bonus is that you will be able to store them safely while avoiding damage to the surfaces.
Here are some great packing tips:
- Using bubble wrap, cover all wooden legs to protect them from scratches or gouges.
- Wrap and cover separate sections. Label these assembly sections to keep them together in your storage unit.
- Put all screws and assembly pieces in a plastic bag, label the bag, and tape them securely to the furniture assembly they belong with.
Avoid Humidity
Moisture can rapidly degrade furniture and stored items in a storage unit. You can elevate your furniture to keep it off the ground or find a storage facility that has climate-controlled units. Having this extra protection will help to lengthen the life of your furniture. High humidity in your storage unit can cause warping, mold, or split leather and wood furniture.
Here are some ways to help prevent moisture from your personal storage unit.
- Put silica gel desiccant packs in your storage space.
- An eco-friendly alternative to moisture absorption is charcoal.
- Vacuum seal drapes, pillows, and couch cushions to prevent moisture from seeping into the material.
- Cover and wrap your couches and other furniture with blankets. Follow this step by covering it with a plastic sheet.
Learn more about How To Protect And Store Clothing
We provide heated storage units, packing materials, and the expertise to take the stress out of your move. Find the right storage option for your needs with our Storage Unit Size Estimator. For all of your other questions, contact us at 778-760-1713 today!