Putting extra furniture in a storage unit frees up space in your home while keeping it in excellent shape for when you need it again. If you don't store your furniture correctly, though, you'll be disappointed when you pull that table or sofa out of storage and find that it's damaged. Follow these tips to safely store furniture and keep it looking new.

How to Protect Your Furniture While It's In Storage

1. Clean Everything Thoroughly.

Cleaning your furniture before putting it in a storage unit prevents small cosmetic issues from becoming big ones. Dirt, dust, and untreated stains can harbor bacteria that cause mold and mildew to grow on upholstered pieces. If there are still crumbs hiding in the cushions, they can attract pests. Thoroughly clean all furniture before putting it in storage, and be sure that it's completely dry. Apply a protective sealant to wood furniture for extra protection against scratches and rings. 

2. Take Apart Large Pieces

Removing table legs and drawers, removing table leafs, and removing cushions makes it easier to transport furniture to the storage unit and use the space more efficiently. If you remove screws and bolts, keep them all together in a plastic bag that is taped to the underside of the furniture piece. Include a note in the bag identifying which furniture piece they belong to so that you can reassemble everything when you take it out of storage. 

3. Let Furniture Breathe. 

Avoid cramming everything you want to store into the storage unit without organizing it. This not only makes it more difficult to remove items when you need them, but it can also damage your furniture. Maintaining airflow between pieces helps preserve them and prevent damage. For example, don't stack boxes or other items on top of a sofa or chair. Over time, this will damage the item because of the excess stress and strain placed on it. 

If you have extra furniture you need to store, let the team at Elyria South Storage help. For more than 31 years, residents of the Elyria, OH, area have turned to them for clean, safe storage units. Their exceptional customer service team will help you choose the perfect size unit for your belongings and offer tips on making the most of your space. To find out about self-storage unit availability, visit them online or give their office a call at (440) 986-5201.