How to Store a Couch

Whether you’re having a house clear out, doing some renovation work, or have just bought some new furniture and need somewhere to keep the old items, there are plenty of reasons you might want to put a couch in storage. Perhaps you just need to save the extra space at home even!

Whatever the reason, the most important thing is that you take the time to do it right. Proper couch storage is essential to make sure it comes out in the same condition it went in. You can’t just wedge it into a storage unit and wish for the best.

Store your couch correctly and you’ll preserve its condition so that when you take it out of storage, it’s as pristine as the day you sent it on its temporary vacation. In this guide, we explore some handy tips and tricks for storing your couch properly to help ensure it remains in tip-top condition.

How to Store a Couch in a Storage Unit

There are several things you need to keep in mind when prepping to store your couch – a few things you must do and some more you must never do. These simple precautions are all about making sure the furniture you collect when you need it again is the same as when you dropped it off.

Follow these top hints and tips from CubeSmart and you’ll have peace of mind that your couch isn’t getting damaged, chipped, or just aging when it’s not with you. This goes for all couches, but it’s especially important for storing vintage or antique pieces, or those with more sentimental meaning than just being a place to sit.

Cleaning a Couch

Want to pick up a sparklingly clean couch when you collect it in the future? Send it to storage that way. If you have a regular method of cleaning your couch, just run through that before wrapping it up.

If you haven’t, it’s pretty simple. If it has any metal or wooden parts, use a material-specific polish and a rag to give it a buff and leave it shining. You’ll also want to remove the couch cushions, before vacuuming both the cushions themselves and the couch behind and under them. This will help to remove any debris and dust that could further build up.

To finish off the cushions, use an antimicrobial cleaner to wipe down the couch fabric. Make sure you let it dry completely before wrapping it up.

For leather couches, you’ll want to take extra care. Use a specialist leather cleaner on the cushions and any leather surfaces and ensure you don’t get any water onto the cushions, as this could cause warping of the leather.

Measure the Couch

There are several reasons why it’s important to measure your couch before you start the process of storing it. Firstly, you want to make sure it’s going to fit through your doors and into the vehicle you’re using to take it to storage. You don’t want the nightmare of removing doors and hinges if you can avoid it. Moving heavy furniture is difficult enough without having to do temporary renovation work too!

Measuring will also tell you how much of your storage space the couch will take up, so you’ll know what size of unit you might need and what else you can fit in there.

You’ll also need to know how much wrapping material you need to use to protect the couch from damage in storage. Measuring it in advance can help give a more accurate idea, so you don’t end up buying too much or too little.

To measure your couch properly, using a tape measure, ensure you get the width, depth, and height, including feet if they’re going to remain attached. Note down all the measurements accurately and keep them somewhere safe.

How to Wrap a Couch for Storage

One of the most important steps you can take is wrapping your couch to protect it before it goes into storage.

Firstly, you need to decide whether you’re wrapping all the cushions and pillows separately, if they’re removable, or whether you’re wrapping the whole couch as one. You also have to choose which wrapping you use – which all depends on the type of couch you have.

If you’re removing the feet or legs from the couch, you’ll also need to make sure you do this before starting and make sure to keep them in a secure place with the couch. If it’s particularly valuable or fragile, use some bubble wrap to secure exposed areas before you start, then you’re ready to wrap.

Blankets vs. Shrink Wrap for Wrapping a Couch

You can protect your couch in several ways, but it comes down to two main choices – blankets or plastic wrap.

Both choices their benefits, but also some drawbacks. Shrink-wrapping, especially in thick plastic, for example, can keep dust and other contaminants away from your couch for years, but it can also trap moisture. If your couch is going to be in storage for a long time, this can lead to condensation, swelling, mildew, and maybe even mold.

So, if you’re storing your couch for more than six months, you should go for blankets and fabric coverings. They may not offer the same coverage, but they’re gentler on your couch, will allow it to breathe better, and can even protect it from any bumps it takes while in storage. You can secure blankets on your couch using strips of fabric, tape, or bungee cords.

How to Store a Couch Long Term

If you need to store your couch for the long term, then correctly following all of the above steps is even more important. You’ll want to choose a clean and secure storage option and prepare your couch thoroughly.

To protect your sofa long term, you might even want to steam clean the fabric or use a preservative or wipe on the leather before you put it into storage – after all, couches need love too. After that prep work, you’ll want to make sure that it’s wrapped loosely in fabric, to avoid moisture issues.

You’ll also want to double-check that your storage unit is clean and pristine, as you don’t want the couch picking up dust and dirt during its time away.

Climate-Controlled Storage for Furniture

One of the best ways to avoid changes to your couch is climate-controlled storage. CubeSmart has climate-controlled storage options for optimal temperature, with humidity regulation to avoid condensation or dampness. Find out more about CubeSmart’s offering of secure storage units.