Many homeowners find it useful to place old furniture in a storage unit when they’re moving residences, making way for new furnishings, or decluttering a room. To ensure your items stay protected from moisture, dust, and temperature changes over time, take some steps before packing them. Here is how you can safely pack your items before placing them in storage.

A Guide to Placing Furniture in Storage Units

Clean

First ensure your belongings are free of dust or residue that could create odors, attract bugs, or cause stains over time. For wooden pieces, use water with a mild soap, dry thoroughly, then polish them with a wood cleaner. For upholstery, vacuum your pieces to remove ingrained dust and try to remove any stains to prevent them from setting permanently.

Disassemble

Before moving your furniture into your storage unit, take apart chair legs, headboards, drawers, and shelves. Disassembling items as much as possible makes it easier to relocate them, lets you maximize the space in your unit, and helps avoid scratches as you move them in and out of storage.

Insulate

Most storage spaces aren’t climate-controlled, so if your furniture is antique or fragile, wrap it in protective cloths to keep it warm in cold temperatures. Choose padded fabric over plastic, which will promote air circulation and prevent condensation. If you live in a cold area, keeping furniture elevated off the floor on wood pallets or cardboard will also protect it from low temperatures.

If you’re searching for storage units around Anchorage, AK, Ship Creek Storage can provide the space you need. With ground-level units ranging from 280 to 2,250 cubic feet and security cameras and a perimeter fence, they can safely store everything from boxes of documents to cars, boats, and RVs. Visit them online to learn more about their units or call (907) 276-4107 to ask about their month-to-month rates.