moving with little notice

If you find yourself in a situation where you have to temporarily move to a smaller residence, you are probably going to have to put many of your possessions into storage. If you have a lot of wooden furniture, you may worry that it may be ruined while sitting in storage. If so, use the following tips to help prepare your wood pieces for long-term storage.

1.  Disassemble Any Removable Pieces

When you need to put your wooden furniture in storage, you may believe that it will be easier just to leave each item fully assembled so that you can easily move the piece into the unit. If you do not have enough space, you can simply stand it on its end or upside down, right?

However, if you move wooden furniture that has removable pieces, such as legs or drawers, you run the risk of banging the piece into the wall or having the weight of the full piece put stress on the wood and warp or break it. And, if you are planning on propping up the piece against a wall or setting it upside down, not only could the same thing occur, but you may wind up severely scratching the surface.

Instead, take apart any removable pieces to reduce the risk of damaging the wood during the move into the unit. You will also find that it is easier to store the pieces instead of the entire thing.

2.  Apply Furniture Wax after Cleaning the Pieces

After you have dissembled the piece, you can take further steps to protect the wood itself by cleaning the pieces with a wood-safe cleanser. This will remove any dirt, dust, and abrasive materials that could scratch and dull the wood's finish.

Once you cleaned the pieces, apply a thick layer of furniture wax, and rub it fully into the surface. The wax will not only help the wood retain its natural oils to prevent dulling and cracking, but it will also resist moisture that could lead to rotting, molding, and warping.

Do this a couple of days before you move the piece to ensure that the wax fully absorbs into the wood. Not only will it make it less slippery when you grab a hold of it, but it will also help ensure that you do not rub off the protective layer.

Using the above tips while preparing your wooden furniture for storage can help preserve its condition and beauty until you need to use it again. If you have any further questions about putting your wood furniture or any other items in a long-term storage facility, speak with a representative from the storage facility.