Have you got your hands on a family heirloom or scouted a treasure at a secondhand shop? Keep your gems in pristine condition with clever storage solutions to retain their sentimental or monetary value.
Container Self Store can help you manage your collection by providing safe and efficient storage solutions for your antiques.
Tips for Storing Antiques
To make the process hassle-free, we’ve compiled some handy tips for future-proofing your valuables, including directions on storing antique furniture. Read on to find out more.
Rent a Storage Container
Large antiques that are not on display can take up lots of space. A 10ft storage container will do the job. However, our 20ft storage containers can easily stow away the contents of an average three-bedroom house, so that won’t be a problem here.
Renting a storage container means you can hold your items on your terms – avoiding cluttering your home or offloading things to reluctant friends and family.
Plus, at Container Self Store, we offer complete flexibility for your antique storage. Our containers are available on-site or rented. Simply select your size and how long you would like to rent, and we’ll handle the rest: security, climate control and all.
Clean your Objects Before Storage
The best way to preserve the condition of your antiques is to ensure they are in top condition when they enter storage.
When preparing your belongings for storage, it’s also a good idea to scan your antiques for disturbances such as wood rot and woodworm. If you spot any, you should treat them before they deteriorate or spread to other items.
To further protect your items:
- Wipe away dirt or dust with gloves and a lint-free cloth to avoid accidental scratches or oil transfer marks from your skin.
- Apply wood polish to timber to keep it moisturised and prevent cracking during possible temperature fluctuations.
- Use leather conditioner on leather items to avoid them drying out and cracking.
- Use oil on metal to prevent rusting.
Dismantle Large Items Where you Can
To avoid added strain on old joints, carefully dismantle pieces before storage. Doing this will also make items easier to transport and store. Win-win!
For complex pieces, we’d suggest labelling which components belong to the same item of furniture – this will make the reassembling process more manageable.
Make sure that you never stack antique furniture in the storage container. It may seem a clever way to save space, but fragile items will struggle to withhold the pressure, leading to damage.
Wrap Items Carefully
Bubble wrap protects items from bumps and breaks excellently in the short term. However, bubble wrap can have adverse effects when used for extended periods.
The plastic wrap can restrict airflow and trap moisture, increasing the chances of mould, which is not a pretty or healthy sight and is detrimental to wooden items.
Instead, we’d recommend opting for a dust sheet to protect your items while letting them breathe.
Use a Climate-Controlled Storage Container
Antiques are particularly susceptible to climate fluctuation. For example, low humidity can damage wood, while high humidity can rust metal.
To preserve your items, stow your antiques in a climate-controlled storage container.
Each storage container at Container Self Store has a ventilation system and a watertight seal to reduce potential damage.
Check on Your Storage Unit
One of the best methods of protecting your valuables is by keeping an eye on them the old-fashioned way – checking up on them.
Our on-site storage containers allow 24/7 access, so you can pop in when you like to check on your belongings or spruce up any antiques with a lick of polish or dust down.
We also supply security and CCTV to ensure the utmost protection for your items.
We’d advise you to find a storage solution that allows this kind of flexibility so you can check on your items as you please.
With these antique storage tips in mind, you stand the best chance of maintaining the quality of your valuables and preserving them for the future.
Look to our blog for more long-term furniture storage solutions for guidance and advice.
Do you still have questions about what storage container is best for your needs? Please contact us, and one of our fantastic team members will get back in touch with you.