When it comes to placing belongings in storage units, some items are easier to store than others. Artwork is challenging to put in long-term storage, but it will stay intact with the right preparation. Here’s some advice to ensure your pieces stay in excellent condition.

Do:

Clean first.

Carefully wipe artwork where applicable with a microfiber cloth to remove dust and grime, such as glass surfaces and frames. Avoid cleaning fabric or paint to prevent damage. Gently clean hardware as well and add small amounts of oil to inhibit rust.

Use different covers for framed and unframed artwork.

Protect unframed artwork with water- and air-resistant materials, such as silicone and glassine. Don’t roll the pieces up since they can crack over time.

Cover framed artwork with bubble wrap, felt, or storage blankets after fortifying frame edges with cardboard corners. Secure wrapped framed pieces with packing tape to keep covers from slipping off in storage and exposing the art to dust.

Don’t:

Forget to label artwork.

Label each covered piece to avoid confusion later on. Write down the name of the artwork, the artist, and any other information that helps with identification, such as “beach landscape” or “palm tree grove.” Create a master list of all of the artwork in your storage unit for quick reference.

Stack pieces horizontally.

Use pallets to protect artwork from cold concrete flooring. Lay each piece on a flat surface with acid-free paper if you have the space to protect them from issues such as scratched frames and damaged paint.

If storage unit space is limited, purchase a vertical artwork storage rack to place on the pallets. Put foam or cardboard in between each piece so that they don’t rub against each other. 

Store your artwork at Paradise Self Storage, serving all of Maui, HI. Known for a dedication to security, the gated facility uses electronic access codes for entrance and features storage units with individual alarms. The family-owned business also sells packing and shipping supplies, and provides carts for moving belongings to upstairs storage units. Call (808) 877-7783 if you have questions about unit availability, or visit their website for pricing information.