It shouldn’t, whether it’s with us for a few weeks or a year, as long as it goes in clean, dry and packed so it can breathe. What cracks wood, lifts veneer or marks leather with mould is moisture more than cold, and good preparation keeps moisture out.
Why damp is the thing to watch
Wood takes in moisture from the air and gives it back again, swelling when the air is damp and shrinking when it’s dry. It’s repeated change that splits tops and lifts veneer. Leather is prone to mould when it’s put away dirty or wrapped so air can’t reach it.
Our units are standard self storage rather than climate-controlled, so the way you pack does the work. Damp often goes in with the furniture itself, on a piece moved on a wet day or covered before it had dried, so that’s the easiest place to stop it.
How to prepare each piece
- Empty and clean it. Empty drawers and cupboards, take off mirrors and loose parts, and bag any small fittings. Dust polished wood with a clean, dry cloth, and wipe leather with a soft, dry cloth.
- Let it dry fully. If you’ve cleaned anything with water, or used wax, give it time to dry completely before you cover it.
- Use breathable covers. Moving blankets, felt or old cotton sheets let air move. Plastic can trap moisture, so if you wrap a piece in plastic for the van, take it off or open it up once it’s in the unit.
- Lift it off the floor on pallets or boards.
- Leave a gap between furniture and the walls, and between pieces, so air can circulate. Rest nothing heavy on polished, veneered or leather tops.
- Add moisture absorbers for a longer stay. Our units have no power sockets, and portable heaters aren’t allowed for fire safety, so passive absorbers, which need no power, are the practical choice.
Older veneered, inlaid and antique pieces need the most care. If one is fragile, a furniture conservator can advise before it moves.
On your visits
Have a quick look whenever you’re at your unit, especially through the winter. If a cover feels damp, dry and rewrap the piece and replace any full absorbers. If you spot lifting veneer, leave it rather than gluing it yourself, and ask a conservator.
A word on cover and special pieces
Our contents protection covers sudden events such as fire, theft with forced entry, and burst pipes or leaks, but not gradual damp from the air, which is one more reason the preparation above is worth the time. If a piece is irreplaceable or one of a kind, call us before you book and we’ll talk it through.
When your furniture is ready, get a price online, or call us on 0800 2545585 to talk through what you’re storing.
Related questions
- Does contents protection cover damp and mould?
- Can I stand a sofa on its end in storage?
- Do I need a dehumidifier in a container unit?
Further reading