Resources Blog

September 22, 2020

Are you stressed about moving houses? You're probably worried about if you've given yourself enough time to move everything, or if you need to make any repairs before anyone moves into your old place.

You also want to ensure that your precious belongings won't get damaged while in transit. You could wrap something in an entire roll of bubble wrap and still have nightmares about it breaking as you unravel it.

Fortunately, there are tricks for how to wrap furniture for storage without using entire rolls of padding.

Storing furniture isn't worth losing sleep over. If you want to know how to wrap furniture for storage containers or moving trucks, then follow these steps to make sure your belongings are packed up nice and tight.

Start by Cleaning Everything Thoroughly

Before anything goes into the truck or storage, you need to make sure that it's spotless. That means no dirt, dust, or any other substance that doesn't belong on your furniture.

If your items are going to be sitting in storage for a while before being moved, there's a high chance that dirty furniture will create odors and produce mold while they're waiting for you. You'll end up having to replace them if you notice any foreign substances growing.

For wood and plastic furniture, you should use water and mild soap to wipe it down. If you have any antique furniture, it's worth investing in wood cleaners to protect the finish.

Fabrics can also get cleaned with mild soap and water. You just need to make sure it's dry before you start wrapping it up.

You can clean metal items with a polishing cloth and metal cleaner. This removes any oxidation and reduces tarnish building up.

Take It Apart

Your rule of thumb should be that if you can disassemble a piece of furniture, then you should. Taking this extra step makes packing up the truck or storing the item a lot easier. It also reduces your risk of anything breaking or furniture getting permanent scratches.

Don't forget to individually bag and label all of the bolts, screws, and Allen wrenches. Otherwise, it's going to be a nightmare to put everything back together again.

How to Wrap Furniture for Storage or a Move

When you're ready to prepare furniture for storage or a move, begin covering every inch of the item with thick plastic sheeting. You also need to make sure that you cover underneath the furniture. This prevents moisture from seeping into your items, especially if you're not storing them in a climate-controlled space.

If you're wondering how to store furniture in a storage container or moving truck when you don't have any plastic sheeting, you can use other thick items to cover them up. You can use an old sheet, drop cloths, and even blankets.

If you are storing furniture for a long period of time, don't seal your wrapping, as doing so can create condensation. This can cause your items to swell up, so drape the coverings so that the furniture can breathe.

How to Protect Any Glass Items

Naturally, glass items such as tabletops and mirrors require a little extra care. No one wants to peel off wrapping to discover a crack in the glass or shattered pieces.

Start by wrapping the item with some packing paper. Make sure not to tape it directly to the glass, as it will leave marks that you'll end up having to clean. 

Next, cover the glass with bubble wrap so that it's completely protected. If you have a box, store the piece of furniture inside to give it some extra security. It is best to use plastic totes for moving glassware and plates instead of cardboard. Try to avoid packing anything else inside the box. 

Keep It off the Ground

If you're not putting your things into climate controlled storage, you should avoid having any of your furniture directly touching the floor. 

Grab some materials from around the house that may help keep your things off the ground. Alternatively, you can also use cardboard or a drop cloth. However, the higher off the ground that it is, the better protection it receives in case of flooding.

Pack Tight

Packing can feel like a game of how many items you can fit in a truck or storage container. You can wrap and protect your things to best of your ability, but if not packed correctly, you still risk damage. You should pack things as tightly as possible. You do not want space for things to shift while moving. Use tie-downs to secure large, heavy or tall items to the walls or floors. Have heavy and bulky tiems packed low, and stack lighter items on top. 

You should organize your storage box or truck so that you've got easy access to the things you may need first at your destination, or access to while in storage - pack these items closest to the doors. Typically you pack the large furniture items and work back to the small ones. 

Make sure you keep the areas clean. You just cleaned and wrapped all your things, avoid tracking mud or moisture into your moving box. If possible, don't do any packing when weather is poor. 

Need a Place to Store Your Furniture?

Moving furniture doesn't have to cause you stress. Once you know the correct way of how to wrap furniture for storage or a moving truck, you'll feel as secure as your furniture that nothing will get damaged.

If you want the best of both worlds, then a storage box could be the right option for your move. We can drop off a storage container. You pack it up, and then we'll move it to your new home.

Grab an instant quote from us today and start wrapping up your furniture!