--- title: How to Prepare Furniture for Storage, Step by Step url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/preparing-furniture-for-storage/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - How to prepare furniture for storage # Preparing furniture for storage Clean each piece, let it dry completely, take it apart where it is built to come apart, wrap it in breathable padding and label every part. Do these five things and a 7 by 7 by 5 foot vault will hold more furniture with less risk of scuffs and mildew. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) ## Five steps before storage - Clean every surface. Wipe wood with a lightly damp cloth and dry it at once. Vacuum upholstery and let fabric air out. Dust and food crumbs scratch finishes and attract pests. - Let everything dry. Do not wrap damp wood, cushions or leather. Trapped moisture causes mildew and warping, so give each piece a full day to air. - Disassemble what comes apart. Remove legs from tables, take off headboards and unbolt bed rails. Tape or bag the hardware and attach the bag to the piece it belongs to. - Wrap in breathable padding. Use moving blankets or paper pads, not plastic sheeting directly on wood or leather. Wrap corners twice and tape the padding to itself, not to the finish. - Label and list. Mark each piece and bag with the room, and keep a written list. A list makes it easy to find the lamp, and to check the vault when it is delivered. Furniture usually fails in storage for ordinary reasons: dust that scratches, moisture that gets trapped, and loose parts that get lost. All are preventable at home, before a crew arrives, in an afternoon. ## Where wrapping and plastic go wrong Plastic wrap is useful for keeping drawers closed and blankets in place. Directly on wood, leather or a fine finish it can hold moisture against the surface. Use a layer of paper or blanket first, and shrink-wrap over it. Ask your estimator what the crew will wrap and what you should wrap yourself. ## Mattresses, couches and soft goods - Mattresses: bag in a mattress cover and store flat or on edge, not folded. - Couches and chairs: vacuum, cover with a breathable fabric sheet, and keep cushions with the frame. - Rugs: clean, roll with the pile facing in and wrap in paper. - Pillows, linens and clothing: wash, dry fully, and pack in boxes or wardrobe cartons. ## Drawers, shelves and glass Empty the drawers, because contents shift and add weight. Remove glass shelves and tabletops, wrap each in paper and padding, and store them upright, with an edge down. Mirrors go in picture cartons and ride on edge. For antiques, ask the crew about custom crating; [fine art and antiques](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/specialty-moving/fine-art-and-antiques/) explains it. ## Let the crew do the heavy part If you want a crew to wrap and load, ask the estimator to include it. The goods are then placed in the wooden vaults in the Sparks warehouse. See [vault storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/vault-storage/), and use the [vault sizer](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/storage-vault-sizer/) to estimate how many vaults the furniture fills. ## Keep a record Photograph the furniture before it is wrapped, including any marks that already exist. Keep the photos and the list with your moving papers. When the goods come out, the same photos tell you whether anything changed. Museums use similar habits to protect objects; the National Park Service has public guidance on handling and storing collections that applies in a smaller way to household antiques. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [National Park Service, Conserve O Gram series](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/museums/conserve-o-grams.htm) - [EPA, Household Hazardous Waste](https://www.epa.gov/hw/household-hazardous-waste-hhw) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Vault storage: how 7 x 7 x 5 ft wooden vaults work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/vault-storage/) - [Long-term storage tips](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/long-term-storage-tips/) - [Storage vault sizer](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/storage-vault-sizer/) - [Fine art and antique moving](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/specialty-moving/fine-art-and-antiques/) Moving guides ## Read next - [Long-term storage tips](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/long-term-storage-tips/) - [How to pack for a move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-for-a-move/) - [How to pack dishes](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-dishes/) - [How to pack glasses and stemware](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-glasses/) - [How to pack plates](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-plates/) - [How to pack a TV](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-tv/) - [How to pack mirrors and picture frames](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-mirrors-and-pictures/) - [How to pack lamps](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-lamps/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Can I put plastic directly on wood? Use paper or a blanket first. Plastic against a finish can trap moisture. ### Should I empty the drawers? Yes. Contents shift, add weight and can scratch the inside of the piece. ### How soon before the crew arrives should I start? A day or two, so everything has time to dry. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) F Francie H. February 20, 2026 We were referred to O'Brien's Moving and Storage though a friend in Reno. We couldn't be more pleased with the Professionalism and Service. They were quick to set up Luke to come out and give us a quote and scheduled the actual move date right away. Luke was on time for our quote as were the movers on our moving day. All three of the gentlemen who moved us were professional and courteous from start to finish. From the initial phone call to the completion of our move, we felt like we were treated as family. We would definitely use them again and recommend O'Brien's Moving and Storage to our friends in the future. ### Owner's reply Francie, Thank you for this amazing review. The result you have expressed is exactly what we all strive to accomplish. I love that you walked away knowing you are now a part of the O'Brien's family, whenever you need us we are a phone call away! I will let the movers know about the kind words expressed about them, that will be very satisfying for all of them. We will look forward to any referrals you send our way, thank you for the opportunity! M Mark S. January 22, 2026 Great company and local. They take great care of your moving needs. They are very accommodating and quick to respond. Highly recommend them for your moving needs and storage needs. Thanks to the O'Brien team for doing a fantastic job. G Greg S. January 22, 2025 3 O'Brien movers came down from Reno to South Lake Tahoe to assist our company moving a lot of big furniture out of a large warehouse. They showed up on-time, were friendly, and were professional and got the job done quickly and diligently. Will definitely use them again. ### Owner's reply Thanks for the great review Greg! We really appreciate you taking the time to do that for us. We look forward to working with you again! ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070