People often use self-storage units to house art they’re not displaying at the moment. But paintings require some preparation and care to ensure they’ll be in good shape when you remove them from the unit. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep your paintings intact during storage.

Do: 

Pack the pieces.

Use a clean microfiber cloth or dry paintbrush to dust off photographs and artwork. Wrap them in breathable fabrics, like cotton or duck cloth, before adding a layer of tissue paper or bubble wrap to protect the works in transit. Wrap the pieces loosely to encourage airflow, so they don’t develop harmful condensation.

Label the items.

Rather than unwrapping every item in the self-storage unit to find the piece you want, label everything. Use a marker to write the title and artist of each work on the outer wrapping. If it’s helpful, add the year the piece was created or a brief description to help you remember what is inside.

Those using moving companies to transport the art should also write “fragile” in large letters to ensure the movers know to handle the pieces gently. 

Don’t:

Stack them horizontally.

Stacking artwork can result in gouged canvas and scratched frames. The longer a piece sits in this position, the more likely it is to incur damage from the weight of those on top.

Stack works side by side vertically on a table or shelves that raise them off the floor. This will safeguard them from potential condensation on the ground and mitigate the crushing effects of gravity.

Skimp on security.

Paintings should be secure, whether they’re priceless memories or expensive works. Choose a self-storage facility that features around-the-clock monitoring to protect these belongings from theft.

Store your paintings and artwork at Ohana Self Storage in Honolulu, HI. The company offers innovative 24/7 security monitoring, pickups and deliveries, and on-site estimates for self-storage. Call the facility at (808) 841-6799 or visit the website for more information on their unit sizes and specials.