Treasured antiques and heirlooms are timeless, precious and often times, irreplaceable. However, there may be a time when you have to put them in a self storage unit to free up space in your home or perhaps to store them while you are moving from home to another. In the case you have to put your antiques in storage, it is important that you use extra caution when packing and storing these valuable items. Here are some tips to help you keep your treasured pieces in perfect condition during packing, transporting and self storage.
Preparing and Packing Antiques For Storage
The most important part of the storage process is ensuring your antiques are properly packed. Gather all of the necessary packing materials, including bubble wrap, felt fabric, cotton sheets, tape, fragile stickers and clear plastic wrap. Before putting antiques into a storage unit, a thorough cleaning will help prevent allergens and airborne dust particles from settling and possibly causing premature deterioration.
- Use only chemical-free products and/or acid-free tissue paper when wrapping your antique pieces.
- Wrap each antique piece separately with cloth or bubble wrap.
- Wooden antiques should be treated with a quality wood conditioner and leather antiques should be treated with a leather conditioner before storing.
- Whenever possible, dissemble large antique pieces and wrap each part individually, but keep all pieces together so they are easy to identify and re-assemble.
- For the best protection, thoroughly wrap individual pieces of fine china and pack in hard plastic containers, instead of cardboard boxes, which can be easily crushed.
- Avoid folding antique quilts and textiles. Instead, store the items flat and cover with a cotton sheet to help protect them from dust. Clothing items can be folded, but place sheets of acid-free tissue paper between the folds.
- Polish antique silverware before packing and pack in a small wooden chest. This will help to limit the exposure to air and delay the tarnishing process. If possible, use a wooden chest with individual sections to prevent scratching or roll each piece of silverware in a soft cotton cloth. Avoid wrapping silverware in paper towels, because it may cause scratching.
- Wrap furniture, such as sofas, with a thick blanket, bubble wrap or cloth covers.
- Wrap chair and table legs with bubble wrap.
- Wrap paintings and framed items with acid-free paper, then wrap with a clear plastic or bubble wrap.
- Make an inventory of your antique items by writing down each piece as you pack.
Transporting Antiques to a Self Storage
When transporting antiques it is important to not get in a rush and improperly load the items on the truck. If possible, it is best to take all of the larger items in one load and the small items in a separate load. Load furniture, such as sofas and tables, first and stand each piece upright. Do not stack boxes of fragile items on top of each other. Stand pictures upright and behind a solid piece of furniture to prevent shifting during transport.
Finding the Best Storage Unit and Proper Storing
It is essential that you find the appropriate type of storage unit for your antiques. When comparing storage facilities, ask about the availability of climate controlled storage units. Climate controlled units are essential for the protection of your antiques. This type of unit uses heat and central air to maintain the temperature of the unit and reduce humidity. The storage unit should be large enough to comfortably store the items. The storage facility should have easy access to your individual self storage unit. For proper storage:
- Never stack furniture
- Place individual pieces of broken down items together. For example, lean a dining table top against one wall and place the wrapped table legs behind the table top.
- Only stack containers if absolutely necessary, and if stacking, do not stack more than two containers high with the heaviest items on the bottom.
Keep in mind that protecting your antiques is essential. The storage facility is not responsible for damages to your belongings, so once you have your antiques safely stored in a self-storage unit, it is important to talk with your insurance agent about insuring the items in storage. Some storage units offer affordable insurance policies that can be included with your rental agreement. Talk to people like Epic Group Inc for more information.
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