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There are only a few people who admittedly don’t like to collect stuff. The rest of us have been guilty of slowly building up our hoard over the years. And there’s nothing wrong with that!
However, with a large hoard of valuable items comes a larger responsibility – to keep and store them safely. The first step is to organise your valuables and sentimental items and then make a storage plan for the things that you want to put away.
There are items that require extra care whenever they need to be put away. Spindly furniture, glassware, books and precious items all easily sustain damage in the long run if stored incorrectly. As long as you pack them right and scrub away the dirt and dust, your items can be safely stored away without sustaining any damage.
We’ve compiled a list of storage tips so that you can rest easy knowing that everything is protected the way it should be. Give this list a quick look and then store your valuables with confidence!
Here are all the materials covered in this post:
- Paper: Books, Documents, Paintings and Photographs
- Glass and Porcelain
- Furniture
- Jewellery
- Cameras and Related Equipment
How to Store Books, Documents, Paintings and Photographs
If you’re one of those people whose ‘to read’ list is longer than their ‘reading’ list, you probably have a storage problem on your hands. Add to that a good few paintings, bulky documents and numerous photographs and we’re treading crisis territory.
Books, paintings and photographs can be tricky to store because of how vulnerable paper is to the elements of nature.
Don’t fret, we have a few hacks that are going to make it seem like a breeze!
- Make sure to keep documents somewhere that protects them from dust, liquids, and light. A black matte plastic folder or briefcase is suitable for the purpose.
- Books are vulnerable to dampness and heat, so make sure to wrap up the hardcovers and pack away the paperbacks in a watertight box, or wrap them up in cloth before storing.
- Paintings and photographs are light-sensitive and need to be wrapped before storage to avoid fading, tears and scrapes.
How to Store Glass and Porcelain
We’re all a little precious about our glassware and fine china, which is why it is essential to know how to store them properly. Nobody wants to hear the dreaded shattering noise of their valuable glass and porcelain items breaking inside a storage box!
- For best results, clean your fine glassware and porcelain before storage. If you have stains in fine china that are difficult to remove, try scrubbing away with some toothpaste, which can help to whiten the surface.
- If you are stacking dishes, make sure to separate each layer with a sheet of cardboard or cloth.
- Put your glass and porcelain valuables away into a box that is lined with cloth or styrofoam so that there is no room for movement, to avoid shattering.
How to Store Furniture
Most people often wonder where to store furniture when moving because of how expensive it can be. If you don’t know what to do with yours, give every piece of furniture a second thought as to whether you want to keep it, sell it or throw it away.
If you’ve made up your mind to store your furniture, we’re here to lend a helping hand! While there are many furniture storage solutions available, it is more important to know how to do it the right way in order to safekeep your furniture for the near future.
There are several ways to protect your furniture when it is in storage. The method you use depends on which materials your furniture is made of.
- If you have velvet or cloth-covered furniture, it’s best to wrap it in plastic before storage to prevent any damage.
- Before putting them away, wrap chair and table legs in newspaper or cloth and protect wooden surfaces with polish.
- Always clean furniture thoroughly before storing them, as you do not want to discover mildew or pests that leftover food scraps may attract.
- Take the furniture apart, whenever possible. During storage, it is best to raise your furniture off the floor on a pallet or shelf to avoid scrapes and other damage.
How to Store Jewellery
When it comes to storing your jewellery, there are some important things to remember in order to prevent damage or deterioration.
- Always keep your jewels in separate compartments, as softer metals and stones may be scratched by harder ones. If you plan to clean them before storing them away, it’s always best to have your jewels professionally cleaned.
- Do not keep any of your jewellery in plastic, especially pearls, as plastic emits vapours that damage them.
- Be very careful with temperatures when you store natural gems. Many stones cannot tolerate the dry air in a safe deposit box, as it makes them crack. Some stones also cannot tolerate freezing temperatures or rapid changes in temperature.
How to Store Cameras and Related Equipment
Storing gadgets can always be a challenge. It becomes trickier when there’s a camera involved due to glass lenses and delicate equipment.
But we have a fix for that! We came up with a few tricks to make sure your camera and other equipment are stored the right way.
- Make sure to remove the batteries from your camera, and replace the battery terminal, to prevent leakage and short-circuiting.
- Avoid temperature fluctuations. Never keep a camera where it may be damaged by high temperatures, such as next to a heater.
- Plastic bags are also not a great idea for long-term storage. Keep silica gel next to your camera and equipment to get rid of any moisture. Also, remember to replace the bag of gel every 3-4 months as it loses its ability over time.
Now that you have all the tips and tricks to storing your valuables on the tips of your fingers, you’ll be rest assured that your valuables are tucked away safely and protected from damage.
Now It’s time to get packing!
And if you need help with storage solutions for your valuable items, we’ve got you covered! Get a quote from us here.
