How To Store Upholstered Furniture
Storing your upholstered furniture properly is a must to prevent damage from moisture, pests, or other circumstances. The best way to do this is in a furniture storage facility. The following guide can help ensure that the furniture is stored as safely and securely as possible.
Remove detachable legs
Some styles of sofas and chairs have removable legs, which can easily be unscrewed and taken off. Remove these when moving the furniture so they aren't accidentally broken off. Once is storage, reattach the legs so the upholstered edge isn't sitting on the ground. If the item must be moved about in storage, lift it up as opposed to dragging it so that the legs aren't damaged.
Clean the upholstery
Body oils, crumbs, and food residue on the upholstery can attract pests. Even if your storage unit remains pest free, stains can occur from body oils or food left on the upholstery. Shampoo or spot clean the upholstery before storage and then make sure it dries completely before you do store it. Remember, any moisture in storage can lead to mildew or mold.
Polish wood accents
Wood accents on your upholstered pieces, such as armrests, should be dusted and then given a protective coat of polish or wood wax. This will protect the wood from drying out, as well as providing a protective coat against minor scratching. Avoid polishes that leave behind a sticky residue, though, since these can attract dust.
Cover up
Protecting the upholstery against dust is also important to prevent stains. Cover everything with a white sheet – avoid colored sheets since they can transfer dye. You can cover with plastic, but the ends need to remain open so that air can circulate and moisture doesn't collect beneath the cover. You may also want to lay a plastic tarp or sheet over the ground before placing the furniture if the floor is concrete, since sometimes moisture can seep through concrete.
Choose the right facility
Opt for a facility that specializes in furniture storage. They should offer climate controlled units that maintain a consistent temperature and also provide humidity control. This will ensure your furniture is not damaged by overly hot or cold conditions, nor subjected to high humidity and moisture damage nor damaged from overly dry conditions. Indoor storage units are also preferred, as these are less likely to suffer flooding.
For more help, contact a furniture storage provider in your area.