While relocating residences, decluttering rooms, or renovating your home, you might need to put certain belongings in storage. If you plan to move antique furnishings, kitchenware, or decor into your unit, you may wonder how to protect them. Here's what to know about storing these delicate and valuable items. 

4 Tips for Storing Antiques

1. Prepare Pieces

Preparing antiques before you put them into storage can prevent them from becoming damaged. You can keep moisture from absorbing into antique jewelry, books, or clocks by wrapping them with acid-free paper before packing them into boxes or plastic bins. This can prevent these items from corroding, mildewing, or rotting. As an extra precaution against damage, you might add silica gel, which is a desiccant that absorbs excess moisture, to your packages. 

Polishing wooden furnishings and covering them with plastic may offer a barrier against moisture infiltration and prevent debris from settling into the upholstery and causing stains. Wrapping artwork and mirrors in acid-free paper and putting them in boxes specially designed for holding them can offer protection from debris, humidity, and impacts.

2. Get Climate Control

Climate-controlled storage units have HVAC vents that keep the space at a consistent temperature, which may range from about 60 to 75 degrees. This can prevent antiques from expanding when exposed to heat and contracting as a result of making contact with cold air, which may keep them from warping and cracking.

These HVAC systems also reduce humidity, which can keep metal pieces from rusting, paper and fabrics from mildewing, and wood from bloating. 

3. Stack Items Carefully

Though stacking boxes can save room in a storage unit, this may put pressure on fragile antiques, causing them to break, collapse, or get crushed. You can avoid these issues by placing the heaviest containers on the floor and stacking lightweight boxes on top of them. Avoid stacking furnishings or nesting them within one another, as this may cause them to become dinged, dented, or scratched. Instead, disassemble any pieces that come apart to conserve space in your self-storage shed. 

4. Check Your Unit Regularly

Visiting your storage unit every month or two can allow you to monitor the condition of your antiques. If necessary, you may reposition certain items to prevent damage that might result from supporting too much weight or pressing against one another. You may also replace any wrappings or coverings and add new coats of polish to ensure your belongings are protected against moisture, dirt, and dust.

When you need space to store antiques, contact EZ Storage. They provide secure and affordable storage units, including climate-controlled options, to clients throughout Lexington, SC, and surrounding areas. Call (803) 808-9328 to ask about available self-storage space and learn more about their facility and amenities.