A breathable cover is a cover or bag made from a material that lets air and water vapour pass through, such as cotton, muslin or a furniture blanket, so it keeps dust off an item without trapping moisture against it. It’s the alternative to a sealed plastic cover, which blocks the air and can hold any damp underneath.
At Wigwam
Our units are clean, dry and secure, and a breathable cover is one of the simplest ways to keep your things in good shape while they’re with us. The approach we suggest uses both kinds of cover, each for its own job:
- For the move, plastic is your friend. The polythene sofa covers, chair covers, mattress covers and dust covers in our Box Shop keep off dust, dirt and scuffs in the van.
- In the unit, let things breathe. Once a piece is in place, take the plastic off or leave its open end loose, and use blankets, dust sheets or old cotton sheets over furniture, mattresses and leather for a longer stay.
Whatever cover you use, make sure the item is clean and completely dry before it goes on, because a cover can’t dry out damp that’s already inside. Lifting things off the floor and leaving a small gap at the walls helps the air move too.
Where it matters most
Upholstery, wooden and veneered furniture, mattresses, good clothes, quilts and rugs all do best under something breathable for a long stay. Conservation advice for textiles warns against plastic garment bags because there’s no air circulation, which can encourage moisture to build up, and suggests prewashed cotton muslin as a dust cover instead.
Not sure what to use for a particular piece? Call us on 0800 2545585 and we’ll talk it through.
Related terms
Related questions
- How do I stop clothes going musty in a storage unit?
- How should I store a mattress in a storage unit?
- Will wooden or leather furniture crack or warp in a storage unit?
Further reading
- Canadian Conservation Institute: Basic care: textiles