Storage Units Make Spring Cleaning Easier

3 Step Guide To Preparing Your Wood Furniture For Long-Term Storage

19 May 2017 by Anni Heikkinen

If you are going to be placing your belongings in long-term storage, you may wonder how you can keep your wood furniture clean and protected, If so, use the following three-step guide for preparing your wood furniture for placement in a self-storage unit.

Step 1:  Disassemble Everything You Can

Since your furniture pieces are not going to be the only things in the unit, you may have to conserve space by neatly stacking everything inside. To make your furniture more compact, disassemble it as much as you can.

For example, if you have an oak dining room table with four legs, look under the tabletop, and remove the screws holding them on. This not only saves space but also prevents other items from falling on the legs and possibly breaking them, if they were left on and sticking out.

Once you have removed any attached pieces, go on to the next step.

Step 2:  Wipe Lemon Oil On The Wood

This step involves wiping the wood down with lemon oil to enrich the grain and add the extra moisture your furniture will in storage for an extended period of time. The lemon oil soaks into the wood where it nourishes the wood fibers below the surface.

You will also need a soft cloth that does not snag so it does not catch on and damage the surface. A mechanic's cloth, cloth diaper, or chamois are possible choices.

To apply, pour a small amount of lemon oil directly onto the furniture's surface. Then, take the cloth, and rub the oil into the wood using small circles. Once you have covered the entire wooden surface, go on to the next step.

Step 3:  Coat The Wood With Wax

After nourishing the wood, the next step is to protect it from impact, condensation, and water damage. This can be accomplished by coating the wood with a thick layer of furniture wax. The wax seals in the wood's moisture while it dry to prevent rotting and warping.

Since the wax can make the furniture slippery, you may want to wait until you are at the unit itself and getting ready to store it. Once there, use a clean cloth as described in the second step, and apply a thick layer of wax to the entire wooden surface.

Preparing your wood furniture for self storage units using the guide above can help you keep it intact and protected. If you have any further questions, contact the representative at the self-storage unit business for more tips on storing your furniture and other items.

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