Storage units are an easy and convenient way to store your belongings on a long-term basis. But if you want your items to come out of storage in great condition, it is important to prepare your items properly, especially furniture. If you plan to put multiple pieces of furniture in a storage unit in the near future, use the following tips:

Clean in Advance

Prior to putting furniture in storage, everything should be thoroughly cleaned. Use glass cleaner for any types of furniture with glass, and apply a wood oil to wood furniture after cleaning to help preserve it while it is in storage. If you will be storing upholstered furniture, it is a good idea to have it professionally cleaned beforehand. Before putting furniture in storage, make sure everything is completely dry after it is clean, as doing so will help prevent the growth of mold and mildew.

Cover Furniture

It is always a good idea to cover furniture before putting it in self storage units. It is best to use a thick plastic covering, as it will help protect your furniture from moisture or humidity that may accumulate inside the storage unit. If you live in an area that is very humid, you may want to consider wrapping upholstered furniture tightly with plastic and sealing it with strong tape in order to keep it from smelly musty and preventing mold and mildew growth on your upholstered furniture.

Look into Pest Control

Pests can wreak havoc on furniture in storage, particularly upholstered furniture. when searching for a storage facility, make sure you ask about how the grounds and units are treated to help prevent pests. Ideally, a storage facility should have a contract with a pest control company that provides services on a regular basis. You may also want to consider spraying your storage unit with pesticide and letting it air out prior to putting your belongings in--be sure to ask the company if it is okay if you do this first.

Disassemble 

While you may not be able to disassemble a sofa, taking apart large pieces of furniture like dressers, bed frames, and entertainment centers can make it much easier to store them properly inside the storage unit. If possible, leave some space around pieces of furniture so they can receive proper airflow and be less likely to be damaged by having boxes and other belongings piled on top of them. Just make sure that you keep all of the pieces of your disassembled furniture in the same area of the storage unit so you can put it all back together in the future.