Furniture storage: Helpful hints

After the house and the car, your furniture is the next biggest financial outlay you'll make and while you may take every care to look after it in your own home; you also want to be sure that your furniture remains well protected should you ever need to place it in storage.

Useful items for storing your furniture

Packing up your furniture for a stay in a storage container needs to be done securely and with the right materials to ensure it remains safe and protected from outside contaminants. That way you can be sure that your furniture will be in the same condition when you collect it as it was when you packed it. Arm yourself with the following materials to get off to a good start

• Cartons in various sizes
• A roll of bubble-wrap
• Strong plastic covers
• Porta robes
• Paper, tape and labels

Tips for storing your furniture

Stereos and televisions should ideally be packed in their original boxes but if these are not available, wrap your electrical items individually in bubble wrap and then secure them in cartons with some extra packing to plug any gaps and inhibit too much movement. If anything has batteries, remove them.

The above also applies to computers. It's a good idea to consult with your computer's manual or talk to the manufacturer if you plan on storing your computer for a lengthy period. Breakable items like windows, mirrors and paintings should be secured with bubble-wrap or else placed in flat packs for maximum protection and they are best stored upright on their edges rather than flat.

Fridges, freezers and other whitegoods need to be thoroughly cleaned and dried before being placed in storage. Secure the doors to remain slightly ajar. Placing a deodoriser in fridges and freezers is also a good idea as it will prevent odours but other than that, leave them empty.

Leave wardrobes, drawers and cupboards empty as well to protect them from any structural damage. Items of clothing and other personal belongings should be packed separately in secure cartons with a suitable product to prevent contamination and ensure soft furnishings are completely free of food crumbs and other particles to avoid attracting vermin. If possible, remove the legs from tables and bed bases to prevent possible damage and conserve space in your storage locker.

Information on furniture storage

It pays to do your research when you are looking at putting your furniture into storage. There are many types of storage options available for you to choose to suit your personal needs.