Storing Couches – Clean, protect and store
Storing furniture and household goods are a good option when moving or renovating. Usually the most bulky item is your couch. There are some steps that need to be taken when storing couches to ensure it is protected. To ensure it comes out of storage as in good condition as it was before you locked it away, consider these 3 easy tips for couch storage.
Tips for Storing Couches
Clean before storage
Before storing furniture, you should clean the item thoroughly prior to storing to prevent deterioration. The same goes when storing couches. The best option would be to get your couch professionally cleaned, however this can be expensive. You can easily achieve the same result yourself with rubber gloves, good cleaning products and a little elbow grease.
With fabric couches check the fabric tag. It will tell you what fabric the couch is so you can clean it with appropriate cleaners. Most fabric couches can be cleaned with water based detergents or can be dry cleaned quite easily. I found Alexis Rohlins’ blog How to clean a couch without professional cleaning a good step by step guide to getting your couch clean and ready for storage.
Leather couches, however, can be polished using a microfibre cloth and leather polish which can be purchased at most supermarkets. Alternatively consider using a natural approach when cleaning leather with white vinegar or olive oil.
Most importantly, ensure your couch is completely dry after cleaning and storing. Moisture leads to mold which will ruin your couch.
Transporting and Storing Couches
Once cleaned cover your couch to protect it from scuffs, marks and dust. If possible dissemble your couch by removing cushions and feet for easier transportation and storage.
For the feet, consider covering in bubble wrap. If they are removable, once wrapped in bubble wrap place them in a bag. Attach the bag inside the couch so you can easily find them when you need to put them back on. Cushions can be wrapped in either plastic or fabric. For short term storage, plastic bags are fine to store the cushions and plastic couch covers can be used to cover your couch. Drop clothes or quilted pads are recommended for long term storage as they allow the air to circulate and prevent mildew forming.
For best protection against moisture you can place a Dry sac in the bag with your cushions and in the couch cover. Dry sacs work like silica gel and are designed to protect leather and furniture by absorbing any moisture.
Bubble wrap, plastic covers, quilted pads and Dry sacs can be purchased on the Store UR Stuff website. Store UR Stuff will deliver or you can visit in store to pick up.
Your storage unit
Ensure your unit is large enough. It is not always ideal to flip a couch on its side if it is going to be in there long term as this can warp the frame of your couch. It is also wise not to stack large or heavy items on your couch. Ensure there is space between items so items are not leaning and possibly indenting your couch. This will also improve air flow in your unit again reducing the risk of mildew forming.
For any couches that are precious such as heirlooms or collectables, climate controlled units are best. But for those that are moving house and need something short term the unit does not need to be climate controlled as long as it is clean and secure.
It is best to stand your couch off the unit floor – consider using pallets, blocks of wood or bricks. This goes for all items stored in a unit. It is always best to be safe than sorry, as much as storage facilities do their best to provide secure and clean units, accidents can happen. A spill from an adjoining storer could seep into your unit.
For further reading:
www.topcleaningsecrets.com/house/how-to-clean-a-leather-sofa-at-home.html
www.homeguides.sfgate.com/clean-couch-professional-cleaning-28846.html
