How To Prepare Antiques For Storage
Antique furniture can provide a unique aesthetic to the rooms that they are installed within, and they often carry high price tags as well. However, they can take up a great deal of space, and can also be relatively fragile considering their age. This means that if you are getting work done in your home, or are moving to a new house, you may want to consider placing them in a storage unit for the short term. However, before you move your antiques out of your home, there are a few things that you should do to make sure that they are adequately protected against potential sources of damage.
Cleaning
The first thing that you should do before you even begin to pack your antiques up is to thoroughly clean the entirety of each piece. This will remove dirt, dust, and other contaminants which can cause damage to the finish of your furniture if allowed to sit for an extended period of time. You'll want to make sure to clean the under and back sides of your furniture where dirt can collect unnoticed. Further, make sure that you make use of cleaning chemicals that are specialized for the material that you are cleaning: wood polish for wooden antiques, leather polish for leather pieces, and so on. This prevents any damage from occurring during the actual cleaning process.
Break it Down
Though it depends on the piece, you should also make an effort to remove parts of individual antiques where possible, such as unscrewing table legs or taking apart chairs. Firstly, this will make it easier for you to transport individual pieces by breaking them down into manageable parts, but more importantly, it can help reduce the amount of strain that your antiques experience while in storage. The age of these pieces of furniture means that sitting assembled can place a strain on furniture legs and other weight-bearing components.
Proper Storage Techniques
Finally, when you move your antiques into a storage unit, make an effort to avoid stacking at all costs to prevent pressure from being placed on any individual piece. Furthermore, place every piece of furniture on top of a wooden pallet, which will lift your furniture off of the ground and help protect it against water damage due to condensation or flooding. Finally, be sure to spring for a climate-controlledself storage unit, as these units will prevent against temperature fluctuation and humidity damage which can ruin antiques of all materials.