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A Guide to Covering Furniture for Storage

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When putting furniture into storage, proper protection is essential to ensure its longevity and condition. Whether moving to a new home, renovating, or simply needing extra space, taking the time to protect your furniture with covers can save you a lot of hassle down the line. 

In this guide, we discuss the importance of covering furniture for storage, the different cover materials, and provide tips for properly preparing and wrapping furniture for storage. 

Why Covering Furniture for Storage Is Essential

Furniture can be susceptible to various risks during storage. Dust accumulation can lead to discolouration and deterioration of upholstery and wooden surface, while moisture can cause mould and mildew growth, warping, and rotting. What’s more, scratches, dents, and chips can occur as furniture is moved around, causing your furniture to lose its value and look less appealing.

However, covering furniture can help to protect against all these risks, ensuring that your possessions remain in excellent condition when you come to open up your unit again.

Benefits of Proper Covering

There are several advantages of furniture wrapping for storage, such as:

  • It protects furniture from dust, dirt, and airborne particles
  • It prevents scratches, dents, and physical damage during storage and moving
  • It shields furniture from moisture and humidity, preventing mould, warping, and rusting
  • It acts as a barrier against pests like insects and rodents
  • It allows for easier furniture organisation
  • It reduces cleaning time post-storage

Types of Protective Furniture Covers for Storage

Below are some of the main types of covers you can use when storing furniture: 

Plastic Covers

Plastic covers are a go-to choice when it comes to furniture covers for moving and short-term storage. They’re cost-effective, durable, and water-resistant, providing a good barrier against dust and pests. 

Fabric Covers

Fabric covers offer a breathable alternative for storing furniture, allowing airflow while still protecting against dust and scratches. Fabric covers are suitable for items that require ventilation, such as wooden furniture, and are lightweight, easy to handle, and reusable.

Furniture Blankets

Furniture or moving blankets are thick, padded covers designed to protect furniture during transportation and storage. Heavier than regular blankets, they provide excellent cushioning and impact resistance, protecting your furniture from scratches and dents.

Furniture Bags

Furniture bags are large, heavy-duty plastic bags that cover and protect furniture like mattresses, sofas, and other upholstered items. Furniture bags for storage often feature zippered closures, ensuring a secure seal and protection against dust, moisture, and pests. As a result, they’re ideal for items particularly susceptible to water damage or staining.

Speciality Covers

Speciality covers are purpose-designed protective covers and are the most effective protection as they’re tailored to fit specific types of furniture. They may have added features, like padding, reinforced corners, or adjustable straps, ensuring more comprehensive coverage than standard covers.

Step-by-Step Guide to Covering Furniture for Storage

1. Clean Your Furniture

Before storing, every piece of furniture should be thoroughly cleaned and dusted. Wipe down surfaces, vacuum upholstery, and treat any stains or spills. Any residual dust or stains may become hard to remove over time, leading to odours. 

Depending on the material of your furniture, you may also need to use special cleaning solutions or methods, like wood cleaners or steam cleaning.

2. Dismantle Your Furniture

Dismantling larger pieces of furniture, like bed frames or modular sofas, can make them easier to wrap and move. This saves space and reduces the risk of damage during transportation and storage.

Under the bed storage is also a good idea for clothes. 

Keep any screws, bolts, or small parts in a labelled bag, and tape it to the corresponding furniture piece to avoid misplacing them.

3. Wrap Your Furniture

Use your chosen protective cover to wrap your furniture for storage, ensuring that the cover completely encloses the item and leaves no exposed areas. 

Secure the cover tightly using tape or straps to prevent shifting during storage, but avoid sticking tape directly on furniture to prevent damage. For delicate or fragile furniture, consider using additional padding materials, such as bubble wrap or blankets for added protection.

4. Label and Organise Your Furniture

After wrapping, clearly label each piece of furniture using waterproof, tear-resistant labels and permanent markers. Include the item’s name, the room it’s from, and any handling instructions.

This makes it easier to identify items when you need to retrieve them and helps with efficient arrangement when putting furniture in storage. It’s crucial to organise storage to maximise space.

Tips for Storing Furniture 

Here are a few things to keep in mind when putting furniture in storage: 

  • Choose a reputable self-storage facility with a secure environment.
  • Cover all wood surfaces with protective blankets or plastic sheets. This will help keep dust off and avoid scratches, scuffs, and other damage that could occur during transport.
  • Take apart any large items like beds that can be disassembled before storing them. Not only does this free up more space in the storage unit, but it also makes it easier to transport and protects delicate parts from damage.
  • Consider using furniture sliders or dollies to move heavy items with ease.
  • Avoid stacking items where possible, as this can lead to pressure damage or instability.
  • Use corner protectors to prevent damage to furniture edges.
  • Utilise garden storage in Winter.
  • Ensure the storage unit is dry, cool, and well-ventilated to prevent damp and mould.

Conclusion

Covering furniture for storage is vital to preserve its longevity, value, and to protect it from damage. Remember to clean and prepare the furniture, choose suitable materials for covering, and secure everything properly. 

With these tips, you can ensure your furniture remains in excellent condition, ready for use whenever you need it again! 

Incredible Bulk: Your Partner in Furniture Protection

With Incredible Bulk’s reliable and easily accessible self-storage services, you can trust that your furniture will be kept safe and secure. Explore our range of personal storage options and storage supplies to find the perfect solution for your furniture storage needs.


Reach out to the Incredible Bulk team today to discuss your requirements by calling us on 01274 975678. You can also use our Quick Quote tool to select the type of storage you need, the required dates, and the unit size, and we’ll get in touch with you shortly.

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