Wooden furniture can be ornately beautiful, but it's also susceptible to certain types of damage, like rotting, scratches, and cracks. If you'll be putting your wooden furniture into storage, it's important that you take several measures to protect it. Follow these tips, and your items will look as good as new when you pull them out of storage several months or years later.

1. CLEAN THE FURNITURE FIRST

Any slight stains and spills will only become worse when given months to settle into the wood. Plus, cleaning and polishing your wood re-balances its moisture levels to reduce the risk of cracks and rot.
To clean your wooden furniture, follow these steps:

1. Dust the item with a soft cloth to remove surface dust.
   
2. Dip a rag in a mixture of mild dish soap and water.
   
3. Wring your rag out well and wipe down the furniture.
   
4. Use a cotton swab dipped in the dish soap mixture to remove grime from any nooks and crannies.
   
5. Let the furniture dry.
   
6. Apply a layer of furniture polish and buff it into the furniture with a soft cloth, using circular motions.
   

Try to clean your furniture a few days before you put it into storage so it has time to dry completely.

2. DISASSEMBLE THE FURNITURE IF POSSIBLE

If your furniture comes apart easily, as do many bookshelves and entertainment centers, disassemble it. This will reduce your chances of banging the furniture on something as you move it into the storage unit. Place any screws or washers in a resealable bag and put the bag inside a drawer or on a shelf where you'll find it easily when it comes time to put the furniture back together.

3. CHOOSE A CLEAN, WELL-MAINTAINED STORAGE UNIT

Make an appointment to tour the storage facility before you sign a rental agreement. You want to ensure the facility is free from pests like wood bees and carpenter ants, as these may wreak havoc on your furniture. Ask the manager about the facility's pest control policies. Also, make sure the units look generally clean and well-kept so you don't have to worry about your furniture being exposed to grime and moisture.

4. CHOOSE BREATHABLE COVERS

As long as you're in a reasonably warm and dry climate, like that of Santa Cruz, it's best not to fully encase your wooden furniture in plastic. Encasing furniture in plastic will just trap moisture against it, increasing your chances of mold. Just drape the furniture in a light cotton sheet. Secure the sheet around the legs using zip ties or rubber bands, if you desire. The sheet will keep dust from falling on the furniture while still allowing the item to "breathe."

5. DON'T STORE THE FURNITURE DIRECTLY ON THE GROUND

While furniture is made to sit on the ground, it's best to set it on a pallet, or at least a tarp, while it's in storage. If anything were to spill in a nearby storage unit, you want your wooden furniture protected from the spill, not wicking the moisture up from the ground.

6. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU PLACE ON TOP

It's perfectly fine to place items on a wooden shelf, a table, or even a dresser while such an item is in storage. Doing so can maximize your storage capacity! However, it's very important that you're careful what you place on top of your furniture.

Don't place anything made from rubber directly on top of the furniture. The rubber may break down and leave marks on the wood. Also, avoid storing anything made from wool on or near the wood, as the wool may attract moths that can leave stains and nicks on your furniture. If you place anything metal on the wood, check to ensure the item is not rusty first, as the rust may also leave stains.

If you're looking for a clean, safe place to store your wooden furniture, contact Sutters Fort Self Storage. We offer a variety of storage solutions in Santa Cruz, CA.