Wooden furniture can be a great addition to your retail store. However, it can also be susceptible to damage if stored improperly.
Luckily, there are ways to prevent damage from happening and keep your wood furniture looking like new for years to come! Here are some tips to help you get the most out of wooden pieces for your store.
Preparing Your Wood Furniture for Storage
To prevent damage, preparing your furniture before storing it away is important. You can do this by cleaning it thoroughly and removing any stains that might set in over time. You should also ensure it’s dry before storing it, as moisture can cause mold and mildew.
You can keep wooden items in climate-controlled storage or store them indoors in a basement, garage, or attic space with adequate insulation and a dehumidifier. Both options will help prevent the wood from warping and swelling that can damage wooden items.
Before storing your wood furniture, it’s best to disassemble it as much as possible and place the screws in labeled baggies so you can put it back together once you get it out of storage. This will make moving and storing your items easier and reduce the risk of scratching the wood.
Next, you should clean the furniture to remove any food crumbs and mud that might cling to it when it’s in storage. You can do this by using a mixture of warm water and dish soap or a detergent specifically made for wood cleaning.
In addition, you should use a wood polish to protect your furniture and keep it looking its best. This will prevent the build-up of rust and other corrosion that can cause your furniture to become damaged.
Lastly, you should wrap your furniture with protective covers to prevent it from getting scratched or damaged. For example, you can wrap your wood furniture in bubble wrap or use sheets or old blankets to cover it.
If you’re unsure whether to store your wooden furniture in a climate-controlled storage facility, consider how long you will need to store it and if you can get access to it when you need it. This will help you decide which option is the best for your needs.
Preventing Moisture Damage
Wooden furniture for retail stores is one of the most beautiful items that you can purchase for your home. However, it’s also a great investment that can be passed down through generations, so it’s important to make sure that you protect it from moisture damage during storage.
Moisture damage to wooden furniture can lead to stains, warping and cracking, and even rotting. You can avoid these problems by storing your wooden furniture in a temperature-controlled environment.
For example, it’s a good idea to store wooden furniture in a garage or basement with air conditioning and a dehumidifier to maintain a steady humidity level. If you have to store your furniture outside, consider using a sealer to help keep the wood from getting damaged by moisture and weather.
Another good way to prevent moisture damage is by cleaning your furniture before it’s stored. Use a mild soap and water to wash any wooden or fabric pieces that need to be cleaned, and be sure to dry the furniture before packing it up.
Then, make sure that you leave a few inches between each piece of furniture to allow for airflow and prevent moisture buildup. This will also help your wooden furniture stay as sturdy as possible.
Stacking your furniture too close together can cause the wood to bend or break, which is unsightly and a safety hazard. You may need to use wedges to help distribute the weight.
Another tip is to raise your furniture slightly off the floor when you store it. A pallet or a pair of 2 x 4s can work well for this purpose. It will also keep it from being soaked in water, which can cause mold and mildew growth.
Preventing Damage from Heat
One of the worst ways to damage wooden furniture is by leaving it exposed to heat. This can be caused by placing a table near a heat source or using a heating vent, and can cause stains that look like crop circles.
Wood is a natural material that responds to temperature changes and moisture levels, but it is important to store wooden furniture in climate-controlled storage units to avoid this damage. Cold temperatures can cause wood to crack and warp, while hot temperatures can make the wood swell and expand.
High humidity can also lead to damage. Moisture can eat away at the wood, which can then cause it to rot and break down.
Another way to protect your wood furniture from moisture is by applying a furniture polish before storing it for long periods of time. Commercially-made furniture polish is available in many stores, or you can use a homemade version made with olive oil and vinegar.
Finally, avoiding exposure to excessive heat can also prevent damage. For example, keep wood furniture from direct sunlight, and avoid placing it next to heating vents or fireplaces.
The best way to prevent damage from heat is to ensure that your furniture is stored in a climate-controlled storage unit, but there are other precautions you can take to keep your wood pieces safe.
If you’re going to store your furniture for a long period of time, consider using a self-storage facility that offers temperature-controlled units. These facilities are often guarded against pests and provide a safe environment for storing furniture safely. This is especially useful for items that are expensive to replace, like heirlooms or antiques.
Preventing Damage from Cold
Cold weather can negatively affect your wood furniture’s dimensional stability, so it’s important to keep it safe. Ideally, your wooden furniture should be stored in climate-controlled storage units or rooms.
Temperature changes, especially rapid ones, can warp and crack wooden furniture. To prevent this damage, be sure to keep your wood furniture away from heater vents and other heating sources.
Moreover, it’s important to avoid using the heater for long periods of time. Heaters tend to dry out the wood and cause it to warp and crack.
It’s also a good idea to use a humidifier within your home in order to maintain the right amount of humidity. However, make sure to keep the furniture away from the humidifier and other heating and cooling appliances.
Another way to protect your wood furniture from the elements is to rub it down with lemon oil. This helps restore the moisture level of the wood and provides a layer of UV protection.
The quickest way to save your furniture from the elements is to store it in a climate-controlled storage unit. This will eliminate the hazards of temperature fluctuations and allow you to free up space at home for other items.
Finally, it’s important to store your electronics in a warm place. The cold air can cause damage to your electronics if they are not properly protected.
Storing your electronic devices in a cool and dry place will also help to keep them from cracking, so it’s a good idea to wrap them up in a blanket or other insulation material when storing them in the garage. The cold temperatures can also cause your batteries to drain faster, so be sure to charge them before going outside.
Preventing Damage from Light
Wooden furniture is vulnerable to damage from the sun’s UV rays. If left unchecked, these rays can cause permanent discoloration to the wood’s surface, making it look worn and faded.
One of the easiest ways to prevent light damage is by displaying your wooden furniture in areas that get little direct sunlight. This can be done by hanging it under a window or using UV film (available at hardware stores) to block out the sun’s rays.
Another way to protect your wooden furniture is by storing it in a dark space when not in use. This will help keep it from getting exposed to too much light, damaging its color and finish.
It’s also important to avoid putting your furniture in rooms with too much humidity. High levels of humidity can cause wood to swell and shrink, which can affect the strength of the wooden furniture and cause cracking and bending.
In addition to this, it can cause the wood to warp and rot. To prevent this, keep the furniture out of rooms with a lot of humidity and move it to a dry space when it starts to rain.
If you don’t have a dark space to store your wooden furniture, consider placing it in a storage unit. These storage units are often available in a variety of sizes to accommodate different types of furniture, making it easy to find a solution that fits your needs.
The most important thing you can do to prevent sun damage is keep your furniture out of the sun whenever possible. The best way to do this is by moving it to a shaded spot when the weather gets too hot.