Furniture is heavy and cumbersome. With that in mind, it is important to move it as little as possible. Sometimes, using a little foresight and planning, one can make a gruesome task and "okay" one! Here are some tips that have helped some other tenants at All Seasons Storage:
- If your furniture is large and heavy, definitely look for a storage facility that has drive up units. All Seasons Storage only has these kind of units. Being able to drive up to the unit and unload heavy items saves a lot of extra lifting.
- Really consider taking out storage insurance for your furniture. If it is worth storing, it's worth insuring. The managers at All Season Storage will be happy to give you different brochures on available insurance companies.
- Always use boards or pallets to raise the floor of the unit to protect against flooding.
- Cover your furniture with cotton drop cloths or canvas tarps to keep the dust off and allow for airflow. Make sure that the fabric from the furniture and/or covers are not touching the ground.
- Stand mattressess and sofas on end in order to maximize space and prevent overloading and or sagging.
- Do not store anything on your sofa or mattress that could transfer color.
- Wrap lamp bases in bubble wrap or moving blankets and pack them in a box designed for storing lamps. Wrap the shades in a cotton cover, or loose plastic wrap and pack it in a box.
- Disassemble beds and tables. Wrap the table legs in moving blankets or bubble wrap.
- If a table cannot be disassembled, place a moving blanket on the pallets/boards on the floor and place the table on its top with the legs pointing up. Place chairs on the upside down table.
- Stretch wrap can be used to keep cabinet doors or dresser drawers closed while moving. However, it it recommended to remove it while the furniture is in storage.
- Use bubble wrap or cardboard to protect corners and edges.
- For mirrors and framed artwork, use cardboard corner protectors. It is highly recommended to pack mirrors and artwork in boxes designed for this purpose only. Do not store these items flat! They will collapse under their own weight! Keep them upright and mark them as fragile!!!!
- Use dresser tops for stacking lightweight boxes. Before placing the boxes on the top of the dresser, cover it with a cotton cloth or canvas. Use the dresser drawers for small fragile items.
- Definitely oil the furniture before storing it. However, allow it to dry thoroughly before placing it into storage.
- Avoid sealing anything in plastic because trapped moisture can cause mold, mildew and/or rot.
- Liquid screen TVs and computer monitors can freeze and break without climate control in the unit and are not recommended for storing at All Seasons Storage.
Remember, use your legs and not your back when lifting furniture! Bend with the knees! Not with your back! And in Needles, Ca., drink plenty of fluids!!!! Read our blog "Boat or Self Storage in Extreme Heat". We have lots of water to drink in the office! Please come on in!