Wood Furniture Storage Tips
Wood furniture, especially handmade, can be some of the most expensive and valuable items in your home. Many people own heirloom furniture that is of extremely high quality and has lasted generations. So what do you do when suddenly you need to move, and grandma’s wood vanity has to go in storage for a few weeks? Or if you’ve run out of room for that old wooden dresser you have? Rather than parting with your furniture or letting it sit outside in a garage or shed, consider self storage for your wood furniture. You can keep your items safe in a storage facility until you can bring them out.
Preparing Wood Furniture for Storage
Clean and Polish the Furniture
Storing furniture with dirt and dust on it is a recipe for disaster. Any debris on the furniture can cause the finish and wood to be degraded over time and will also increase the risk of pests. When cleaning, avoid harsh cleaning materials and any tool that could scratch the surface of the wood. You can use water and dish soap, but be careful with water as it can be absorbed by the wood. Another option is to invest in a cleaner meant specifically for wood furniture just to play it safe and make sure the cleaner doesn’t degrade your furniture.
Furniture polish can also increase the longevity of your wood furniture in storage. It creates a seal on the outside of the furniture that can prevent further dust and dirt from collecting on your furniture and protect against any pests that may crawl on it while it’s in storage.
Measure Your Items
Measuring the size of your furniture will help you determine what size storage unit will fit it. This can help you save money by making sure you aren’t paying for any unused space. You can also decide whether or not you need to disassemble your furniture before moving it into storage–if your furniture doesn’t fit through doors, you will have to take this apart.
Disassemble Your Furniture
Many furniture items are too large to fit through door frames or into cars. Taking it apart can make it easier to move and help you fit it into smaller spaces if needed. When disassembling your furniture, make sure to collect and label all small pieces such as screws so you don’t lose them. Also ensure that you take apart and reassemble your furniture correctly. Often, the instruction manuals for this are available online with a simple Google search.
If your furniture cannot be disassembled, make sure you find a storage unit with doors big enough to accommodate it.
In the Storage Unit
Invest in Climate-Controlled Wood Furniture Storage
Wood is extremely susceptible to water and temperature damage. Wood is porous and will take in water from the air if kept in a humid environment. This can damage your furniture over time. Temperature-wise, fluxuating between heat and cold can also cause damage. Most materials contract when cold and expand when hot. When this happens to your wood furniture, it can become warped or damaged over time. To combat temperature and humidity concerns, invest in climate-controlled storage for your furniture. Climate-controlled units have regulated temperature and humidity to keep your items safe from the elements.
Avoid Stacking Wood Furniture in Storage
Stacking pieces of furniture on top of each other can lead to damage and warping over time. The furniture on the bottom may sag due to the weight of the piece on top. If you can avoid stacking and invest in a larger unit, your furniture will have a better chance of coming out of the unit fresh and undamaged.
Elevate Furniture
Like wood, concrete floors are porous and can absorb water. To avoid water damage from seeping concrete, elevate your furniture on wood pallets to avoid contact with the floor. This will allow for ventilation of the storage unit and protection against any liquid in the floor.