Preparing to move furniture into storage can be a stressful process, particularly if you are storing large objects or unsure who to store with. Follow these six simple steps to help you pick the best storage space for you and effectively prepare your furniture for storage:
To prepare furniture for storage:
- Pick a reliable storage unit
- Declutter
- Clean & dry furniture
- Check hidden spots for belongings
- Pack smaller furniture into boxes
- Protect antiques
1. Pick a Reliable Storage Unit
Before anything else: pick a reputable and experienced storage facility. Your storage space should be cost-effective; trustworthy; secure; insured; and climate controlled for the best results.
To get an idea of what storage unit is best, we’d recommend that you read Google Reviews for storage services in your area. The better the reviews are, the better their services.
Our excellent service and years of experience is reflected in our 5* reviews.
All good storage services will also have a clear list of perks that their storage space offers on their website, so you should know exactly what to expect. Find out what else to look for in a storage unit in our article on the topic.
2. Declutter
Before you prepare your furniture, consider clearing your house of any old or unwanted items. You can donate, recycle or sell these items ahead of storage – and fit more things in storage that you want to keep.
Questions To Ask Yourself When Decluttering
When evaluating which items to keep, ask yourself the following questions:
- Have I used this in the past year?
- Does this item have sentimental value?
- Is it in decent condition and worth keeping?
- Can I easily replace this item if I need to?
If you are moving house, decluttering will make the process much easier. This will also prevent future removals fees, as your new house will be free of clutter.
3. Empty and Check Furniture for Belongings
If your furniture has drawers, cubby holes or other storage spaces, then make sure you clear these out before your furniture goes into storage. This could include paperwork, old photographs, medication, or other miscellaneous bits and bobs that end up at the back of our drawers.
Emptying your furniture ensures that you have any important documents or belongings on you instead of hidden in storage. It also protects your furniture from damage from items that might be harmful to your belongings over a long period of time, like food or batteries.
4. Thoroughly Clean Furniture
Give your furniture a thorough clean. Depending on the material of your furniture, this step will look different for everyone. We would recommend, however, that you start with a non-abrasive cloth to dust and remove initial debris, then remove all remaining dust with vacuum.
You should then polish all metal parts, and clean your furniture with a suitable cleaner: a wood cleaner is suited for wood surfaces, a fabric cleaner is best for sofas, and an all-purpose cleaner is great for most plastics.
If there are stains on your furniture, try and remove these at this stage too. An untreated stain becomes harder to remove as the weeks go on – a one-day-old stain is easier to remove than a two-week-old one, and so on.
There are plenty of great videos online on how to best clean certain materials, like this one from Eilidh Wells on how to clean a fabric sofa.
You should have found most bits when emptying your furniture, but this is a good time to really get into the nooks and crannies of your pieces. Remember to lift up those sofa cushions – we know they are notorious for swallowing coins and crumbs!
For specific instructions on how to clean and prepare white goods, read our guides on how to store washing machines and fridges.
5. Dry & Protect
Make sure you leave enough time after you clean your furniture for it to fully dry. Your furniture shouldn’t be damp when it goes into storage, as this can cause long-term damage or discoloration.
For extra protection, you can apply a fabric protector or furniture wax after your furniture is cleaned to seal and protect your furniture while it is in storage.
6. Pack Smaller Furniture
You should pack smaller furniture (like lamps & lampshades, crockery, photo frames and toys) into boxes and protect these items with bubble wrap or soft items (like duvets and pillows).
Make sure you clearly label these boxes, as this will make taking things easier when you collect your belongings from storage.
We recommend packing in a standardised manner, so things don’t get confused.
What to Expect From Your Removals Team
At Falconer Removals, we protect your larger and unboxed furniture with protective blankets and wrappers designed for removals, and then pack your furniture into containerized storage.
This saves you the hassle of trying to wrap and move your furniture without the right experience.
Antiques and Delicate Furniture
Moving and storing antiques requires extra attention. Make sure that your storage team are experienced with moving and storing antiques, so you can rest assured that your valuable belongings are looked after.
Whether it is a grandfather clock or valuable painting, Falconer Removals ensure that your belongings are handled with great care and caution.
If you’d like to find out more about storing valuable books, read our article on how to store books in a storage unit. We’ve also written a blog on how to store clothing in a storage unit if you’re wondering what to do with those non-furniture belonging as you finish up this article.
Find out more about our reliable removals services and storage facilities on our website, or contact us for more information.
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Written by Holly Charman, for Falconer Removals.
