Whether you need to prepare your furniture for storage for a few days, weeks, or months, it is essential to ensure your furniture is properly prepared to protect your investment and prevent damage or decline.
In this guide, you’ll find practical tips for preparing, cleaning, and wrapping your furniture for storage, as well as advice on choosing the best storage facility for your needs. By following these best practices, you can ensure your furniture remains in good condition, no matter how long it stays in storage.
Why Proper Preparation Matters
Furniture is a major investment. Whether it’s wood, leather, fabric, or a combination of materials, leaving it unprotected in storage can lead to damage over time. Common issues include mould, warping, fading, and breakage during transport or storage.
Taking the time to properly clean, wrap, and store each piece can prevent these problems. It also makes moving easier and faster when it’s time to retrieve your items. Good preparation saves you money on repairs and replacements later down the line.
Storage units offer a secure and convenient way to keep your belongings safe, but it is important to remember that all types of furniture items require special attention.
Whether you’re using self storage for a move, a renovation, or simply to free up space at home, preparing your furniture for storage is essential to protect your investment.
Choose the Right Storage Facility
Selecting the right storage facility is a crucial step when storing furniture for long term. Start by looking for a storage unit that is clean, dry, and well-maintained, as this will help protect your furniture from moisture and dust.
A high quality storage unit is especially important for wooden or leather furniture, as it helps prevent damage from humidity and temperature changes.
Consider the size of the storage unit you’ll need based on the amount and type of furniture you plan to store, and make sure the facility offers a range of unit sizes to suit your needs.
Security is another key factor. So, you need a storage facility with strong security measures and good customer service to ensure your items are safe and accessible. By carefully considering these factors, you can help ensure your furniture is well protected and remains in excellent condition throughout its time in storage.
Do A Deep Clean Before Putting Furniture in Storage
Focus on removing dust and dirt from furniture surfaces by wiping them with a soft, dry cloth and polishing metal parts of your furniture.
Wooden Furniture
Since wooden furniture is often made from natural materials, it requirea special care. It requires an application of an appropriate cleaning product to surfaces before wiping them down with a damp cloth. After this, the wood furniture needs to be “sealed” by adding a coat of furniture polish to avoid the wood drying out.
Leather Furniture
Leather upholstery needs a more thorough clean with a vacuum, followed by the application of a suitable leather cleaner. The cleaner will need to be left to develop (depending on the products instructions), before being wiped down with a clean, dry cloth. To finish this process, apply a leather protecting spray/cream to keep the upholstery in prime condition.
Fabric Upholstery
For fabric upholstery, carefully clean the fabric to remove any stains or dirt, and ensure the fabric is completely dry before storage. Protect fabric items by wrapping them to prevent damage, mold, and dirt buildup during storage.
Regardless of the material, all furniture needs to be completely dry before you begin packing it for storage. Any damp areas can lead to mould over time, and nobody wants that!
Pack the Furniture for Self Storage
Disassemble When Possible
Disassembling large pieces, such as bed frames and tables, is safer for transport and easier to store. When disassembling, keep all small parts like screws and bolts organized in labeled bags to ensure easy reassembly.
When disassembling a table, carefully wrap its fragile surfaces, such as glass tops, to prevent damage during the move.
Wrap Furniture for Protection
The first layer of furniture protection should be large pieces of cloth, such as bed sheets or furniture blankets, to keep out dust and moisture.
Add extra padding (moving blankets/clothes) to delicate parts such as legs and ornaments. Fragile items should be given special attention and packed in a sturdy box or boxes to prevent breakage.
Plastic wrap, such as bubble wrap, should be added as a second layer for additional protection, however this should not be placed directly onto furniture as it can lead to condensation for “breathable” materials.
You can also protect your furniture by placing cardboard over glass elements before adding protective layers. Label boxes clearly and group similar items together to optimise storage space and make retrieval easier.
Whilst you can use packing tape to hold protective materials together, avoid placing it directly onto furniture.
Ensure each piece of furniture is properly wrapped and secured before being stored. Everything should be wrapped and protected before being stored, and items should be elevated off the floor and carefully placed to prevent damage and maximise storage space.
Store Furniture Off the Ground
When placing your furniture in storage, never leave it directly on the floor. Use wooden pallets or thick plastic sheeting to raise items off the ground. This helps protect against unexpected leaks, dust buildup, or cold from concrete floors.
Larger, heavier pieces should go in first and along the walls. Leave walking space between rows of furniture so you can access everything without having to shift items around, which increases the risk of damage.
Avoid stacking heavy items on top of one another. Instead, store vertically when possible and allow breathing room between each piece. Your furniture needs air circulation to stay in good condition.
Store Your Furniture With MIGHTY Self Storage in Leicester
Your furniture isn’t just furniture. It’s your investment and comfort. So whether you are storing that heirloom dresser, your favourite leather sofa, or your entire home’s worth of furniture during a move or renovation, you can’t afford to take risks with damage, mould, or theft.
At MIGHTY Self Storage in Leicester, we make storing your furniture safer, easier, and more affordable than you ever imagined. Every detail is designed to protect what you love.
With some of the cheapest self storage rates in Leicester, and flexible pricing, you get top-tier security, service, and convenience without the premium price tag.
Here’s what makes us Leicester’s go-to self storage facility:
Immaculately Clean & Dry Units
Our storage units are moisture-free, well-ventilated, and kept in pristine condition to prevent mould or mildew, warping, and fabric damage.
Wide Range of Unit Sizes
With a wide range of options, you only pay for the space you need. Whether it’s a single sofa or your whole house, we have the right-sized unit ready today.
24/7 Internal CCTV & Individually Alarmed Units
Your furniture stays safe under round-the-clock surveillance. Plus, only you have the access code and lock to your unit.
Insurance Included as Standard
Your items are covered the moment they’re inside for your peace of mind.
Free Parking & Easy Loading Bays
You can park right outside, load/unload quickly, and be on your way in minutes.
With MIGHTY Self Storage, your belongings are treated with care, backed by over 50 years of trusted service, and stored in a secure facility designed for total protection. If you are looking for self storage in Leicester or the surrounding areas, contact MIGHTY Self Storage today on 0116 3653001 for a free quote.
Final Tips Before You Store
- Keep an inventory of everything going into storage.
- Take photos of the condition of your items before storage for reference.
- Don’t store perishable items or anything that can attract pests.
- Visit your storage unit occasionally (especially for long-term storage) to check on the condition of your items.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I store furniture without disassembling it?
Yes, but disassembling large furniture like beds, tables, and shelving units is recommended. It saves space, reduces the risk of damage, and makes transport easier. If you choose not to disassemble, be sure to wrap and pad all surfaces thoroughly.
How do I prevent mould or mildew on stored furniture?
Make sure all furniture is completely dry before storage. Clean fabric and wood thoroughly, and avoid using plastic directly on surfaces that need airflow.
What materials are best for wrapping furniture?
Use soft cloths like furniture blankets or cotton sheets as a first layer. For extra protection, add bubble wrap or foam padding—just not directly against surfaces that need to breathe. Avoid placing tape directly on furniture.
How do I know what size storage unit I need for my furniture?
Estimate the size based on the number and size of your furniture pieces. At MIGHTY Self Storage, we provide size calculators on our website to help make the right choice. It’s better to slightly overestimate to ensure your furniture fits comfortably without being stacked or crammed.
Conclusion
Preparing your furniture for storage doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require the right steps to protect your items from damage. From cleaning and disassembling to wrapping and choosing a quality storage unit, every detail counts.
Whether you’re storing furniture for a move, renovation, or to simply create more space at home, proper preparation ensures your items remain in great condition for as long as they’re stored.
By following the tips in this guide, you’ll save yourself stress, time, and costly repairs down the line, while keeping your investment safe and ready for future use.
Remember, furniture left in the wrong environment can cost you thousands in damage, and it often happens silently. Don’t take the risk. Contact us today.