16501 Nw Twin Oaks Dr Beaverton, OR. 97006
Open 7 Days A week! 503-690-4343
Storing your furniture in self-storage is an excellent way to keep it secure and safe while you don’t have a use for it in your home. Proper preparation and packing is the key to ensuring that your furniture retains its finish, shape and beauty until you wish to enjoy it in your home again. Use this guide to prepare and protect your beds, sofas, tables and other furniture items during their stay in storage.
Have plenty of thick plastic sheets on hand, such as the kind used as vapor barrier in building construction (you can find a roll in any hardware store). These will be laid on the entire floor area of the storage area before any furniture is added to keep moisture and humidity from the concrete, which could cause mold growth, away from your items. Setting your furniture on top of wooden pallets will also help to keep moisture away and allow the items to breathe.
When possible, disassemble beds and wooden tables before storing. After cleaning with a gentle soap and water solution, apply a coat of wax to protect the finish (antique items should be seen by a professional appraiser). Take all screws, nuts and bolts and place in a clear plastic bag affixed to the bed frame. Wrap a quilt around headboards and tabletops to prevent scratching or denting.
End table and dresser drawers make great boxes during storage. Remove the drawers and use them to store odds and ends. Place a towel over the contents of each drawer to keep dust off of the items and act as a buffer between stacked drawers. Remove the light bulbs and shades from lamps (when possible) and wrap lamps in towels, bubble wrap or newspaper. Shades can be stacked together and placed in one large box.
Fabric sofas, chairs and mattresses should be cleaned as well as possible to prevent mold and mildew growth during storage. Gently wipe the surface with an antibacterial cleanser and warm water solution and allow to air dry. Leather or delicate fabric furniture should be professionally cleaned before storage. Padded covers add an extra element of protection and are very useful with sofas that have wooden arms or embellishments.
Mark a masking tape “X” on glass tabletops and mirrors to prevent shattering. Fasten a sheet of corrugated cardboard cut to size on each side of the glass item for added protection. Computers should be stored in their original boxes with cords, speakers, modems, microphones and other accessories individually wrapped. Televisions, especially LCD’s and flat screens, must be stored in their original packaging and moved carefully. Fill any empty spaces in your boxes with packing so each one will sit square in the storage unit without collapsing from the weight of boxes stacked on top of it.
Your belongings are carefully packed and you’re ready for the big move! Organize your items before you leave the house so the biggest items will be placed in the locker first with the smaller items filling in the extra spaces.
Place refrigerators, ovens, freezers, washers and dryers upright against a wall. Leave the doors propped open to allow air to move through the appliance and prevent a musty odor from developing. Wrap cords tightly and affix to the back of the appliance. Any attachments such as dryer vents and washer hoses are disassembled, cleaned and placed inside the appliance.
Although it seems tempting to set your sofa on its end to save space, resist the urge! Sofas are best stored exactly as they would sit in your home to prevent stress on joints that weren’t meant to bear the weight of the piece. Set them upright on top of the plastic sheet and cover with a breathable cotton or other fabric cover. Light chairs can be stacked one on top of the other, with the top chair upside down and the seats together. Secure them so that they will not tip and damage other items.
Storing Your Furniture