This post was originally published on February 18, 2013. From antiques that don’t quite fit your décor, to items you’re saving for your children, it’s easy for furniture to create clutter. Instead of having these precious pieces take up valuable space in your home, it may be time to move those in good condition to a home of their own. Self storage provides you with the room you need to keep the furniture you love, while you simultaneously remove clutter from your home. Below, we highlight four key steps to successfully prepare and protect your furniture items for long-term self storage. Before you store your furniture, give each item a thorough clean. Begin by wiping down your pieces with a fresh cloth. Then, use an appropriate cleaner for the type of material (metal, wood, glass, etc.), and wipe down once more for an added layer of protection. As a final step, let the item breathe in a well-ventilated area and dry completely. This will ensure no patches of trapped moisture can reside on your item as you cover and pack the piece for storage.

Patches of trapped moisture left alone can damage your item over time, and create marks of discoloration. For larger items, such as dressers, beds, tables and couches, prep for smoother transportation. Dismember pieces before the big trip to the storage unit to lighten your load. For example, remove legs from tables and sofas, take out drawers from dressers and cushions from couches, and remove planks from bedframes. Group, wrap and label these pieces together to stay organized. After you’ve prepped your furniture for long-term storage, protect it with the right materials. Bubble wrap can be useful to wrap items that easily break, such as framed pictures, mirrors, lamps or blunt parts like chairs and table legs. As a general rule, avoid plastic package materials when possible, as it can suffocate certain materials like wood and fabrics. This can lead to condensation or unpleasant smells in your unit. Instead, use drop cloths or covers, sheets or blankets to keep dust away and allow air to circulate.

Additionally, remember that not all furniture pieces will have the same needs for proper protection, so it’s recommended you conduct necessary research prior to moving items. To maximize your unit’s space, you may be tempted to cram and jam items without a proper plan in place. However, sloppy storage can lead to consequences that could be harmful to your furniture. So how can you avoid this problem when storing items long-term? Leave space in between items . The benefits are two-fold: you’ll allow air to flow freely between the furniture, which will help protect your items from damage, and you’ll reduce the risk of accidental damage to your pieces should you ever need to remove them from your unit. You don’t have to get rid of your furniture favorites due to lack of space. Now, you can realistically consider storage of larger items, even if you lack the space at home. With the added benefit of climate-controlled storage, these spaces will help maintain your furniture’s condition over time, versus storing it in a humid attic or damp basement.

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