When you plan to move furniture to a storage unit, it is ideal that you get one with climate control to avoid potential mold, mildew, and damage of the furniture. However, this isn't always an option, so you will need to prepare your furniture properly if you don't have climate control. Here are some tips for preparing and storing different types of furniture in a self-storage unit with no climate control.

Wood Furniture

Wood furniture is at risk of drying out or getting too much moisture and leading to mildew. The first thing you need to do is disassemble as much of it as you can. Remove headboards and footboards from your bed frame, remove table legs, remove drawers from dressers, and pull out shelves for your bookshelf.

Label several baggies, each with the name of the furniture, and store small pieces like screws so you can easily find them when you need to put the furniture back together. To keep the moisture level of your wood furniture at a decent level, clean the wood thoroughly, then wax it. This gives it just enough moisture and protects it while it is stored.

Use shrink wrap or plastic wrap to wrap all pieces of wood furniture. Since most of it is disassembled, it will be easier to wrap everything. Secure the plastic with masking tape, as long as the tape does not touch the furniture itself. If you feel you need it, you can use double layers of plastic wrap. The plastic helps protect the furniture and keeps insects out.

Fabric Furniture

If you have sofas, recliners, chairs or mattresses with fabric, they are at risk of mildew from extra moisture without climate control. You may also find unwanted pests inside if you don't wrap them properly. First, clean the fabric with an antibacterial cleaner that can be used on fabric. Let the cleaner dry thoroughly.

Then, remove all cushions from the sofa and chairs, and wrap each one in plastic, securing with masking tape. Wrap all other furniture in plastic wrap and tape it up so nothing can get in. When moving fabric furniture, make sure you protect it with furniture pads or blankets.

Electronics

If you have the original packaging for your electronics, that is ideal. If not, store smaller electronics in plastic storage bins. There should be enough room in these bins for cameras, laptop computers, and maybe even a computer tower, depending on the size of the bin.

For larger electronics, cover it in bubble wrap, followed by plastic wrap. All cords should be wrapped in bubble wrap and plastic wrap as well. Electronics should never be stored on the floor.

Keep all electronics and furniture items away from the door of the storage unit, just in case there is water that comes in through the door. You should also keep as much of it off the floor as you can by first laying down wood pallets. For more tips and suggestions, contact local storage facilities such as Millstream Self Storage.