Storing furniture correctly — whether during a home renovation, a move, or a long-distance relocation across Central Florida — makes the difference between furniture that comes out of storage looking the same and furniture that warps, molds, or falls apart. The tips below apply to wooden furniture, leather sofas, fabric upholstery, metal frames, and glass surfaces. If you’re storing in a portable storage container (like a COWs Mobile Storage unit) or a traditional self-storage unit in the Sanford, Orlando, or Lake County area, these guidelines will help protect your investment.

Here are a few tips on how to store your furniture the right way

1. Clean Everything Before Storing: Make sure you wipe down, vacuum cushions and just make sure you never put anything into storage if it’s already dirty. This will prevent unwanted odors but more importantly, it prevents the risk of mold and mildew growth.

   • With wooden/plastic furniture, use a mild soap and water. For wooden objects especially, use a duster or a wood cleaner like Murphy Oil Soap to protect the finish on the wood.

   • Use a fabric or upholstery cleaner to clean couches and chairs but be sure everything is completely dry before packing up.

   • Lastly, polish any metal sections with a polishing cloth and metal cleaner. This removes any oxidation and delay the build up of rust or tarnish.

2. Take Everything Apart: Things such as bed frames, desks, bookshelves, tables and more! This just allows easier transportation and much more room to be used within your storage container. Make sure to put screws and bolts in labeled bags or containers.

3. Wrap Furniture for Long Term Storage: Make sure everything is completely covered. Lay down pallets or plastic sheeting to prevent moisture from the floor seeping into your furniture or boxes. If you wrap furniture in thick plastic it may create moisture block, odors, and eventually perhaps swelling. Make sure that you wrap the furniture with old blankets and sheets so it can breathe.

4. Protect your Glass Items: Make sure to take extra precautions with Glass Items. Wrap them in packing paper and be sure not to place tape directly onto the glass or it will leave a sticky residue you’d have to deal with later. Wrapping glass in bubble wrap or putting it into a box will also provide it with extra security.

5. Don’t Leave Food Behind: Never leave anything perishable in the storage unit because you may attract bugs or unwanted critters. Make sure your storage unit is treated with pest control regularly. You can never be too cautious.

Here are a few of our best tips for storing furniture in your storage unit! Rent a clean and affordable storage unit with us today and we’ll ensure safety to you and your belongings.

How to Store Different Types of Furniture

Wooden Furniture: Wood is highly sensitive to humidity and temperature swings — a real concern in Central Florida’s climate. Before storing, apply furniture wax or polish to create a protective barrier. Store wooden pieces off the floor using pallets or boards, and never wrap them tightly in plastic, which traps moisture and causes swelling. Allow airflow around each piece.

Upholstered Sofas and Chairs: Clean fabric thoroughly with an upholstery cleaner and allow it to dry completely — at least 24 hours — before wrapping. Store sofas on their feet (not on their sides or backs) to prevent frame stress. Use breathable moving blankets rather than plastic wrap. For leather furniture, condition it before storing to prevent cracking.

Metal Furniture and Frames: Polish metal surfaces with a metal cleaner before storage to remove existing oxidation. Apply a light coat of car wax or metal protector to slow future rust. Wrap metal legs and frames in moving blankets to prevent scratching other items in the unit.

Mattresses: Store mattresses flat — never upright for long periods — as standing them on end causes the inner springs and foam layers to shift. Use a breathable mattress bag (not standard plastic sheeting) to keep dust off while allowing air circulation.

Glass Table Tops and Mirrors: Wrap individually in packing paper first, then bubble wrap. Store vertically (on edge), not flat, and never stack items on top of glass. Mark the wrapping clearly so handlers know what’s inside.

How to Organize Your Storage Unit or Container for Furniture

Getting furniture into storage is only half the job. How you arrange it inside a storage unit or portable container matters for protection and access.

• Put heavy items in first, toward the back. Dressers, bookshelves, and metal frames should go in first and rest against the back wall.
• Disassemble everything you can. Bed frames, tables, and shelving units take up far less space when broken down. Keep hardware (screws, bolts, brackets) in labeled zip-lock bags taped to the piece they belong to.
• Leave a walkway down the center. If you’ll need to access the unit over a period of weeks or months, a center aisle prevents you from having to unpack everything to reach one item.
• Use vertical space. Sturdy items like dressers can have boxes stacked on top of them. Never stack anything on top of upholstered furniture or glass.
• Keep furniture off the floor. Place wood pallets, foam, or plastic sheeting on the floor first. In Florida’s humidity, even a well-sealed storage container can have some condensation near the floor.

Storing Furniture in Florida: What’s Different

Florida’s year-round heat and high humidity make furniture storage more challenging than in most other states. Here’s what to account for specifically:

Humidity and Mold Risk: Central Florida’s average humidity regularly exceeds 70–80%. Without climate control, furniture stored in a standard metal container can experience condensation buildup, especially during summer months (June–September). To reduce mold risk: clean thoroughly before storing, use moisture absorbers (such as DampRid packets), and wrap in breathable materials only.

Pest Control: Florida is home to termites, roaches, and rodents that will happily nest in stored furniture — especially fabric or wood. Never place food items in the same unit. Ask your storage provider whether pest control treatment is included or available. COWs Mobile Storage units are ground-level containers delivered to your location, which gives you easier access to inspect and maintain your stored items regularly.

Heat and UV Damage: Leather furniture can crack in extreme heat. If you’re storing a leather sofa or chairs long-term, apply a leather conditioner before storage. For containers stored outdoors, consider a reflective cover or tarp over the top of the unit to reduce heat absorption.

Store Your Furniture with COWs Mobile Storage in Central Florida

COWs Mobile Storage serves homeowners, renters, and businesses throughout Sanford, Orlando, Lake Mary, Oviedo, Deltona, Apopka, and the surrounding Central Florida area. Our portable storage containers are delivered directly to your property — you load at your own pace, and we store it or move it wherever you need. Whether you’re in the middle of a home renovation, downsizing, or preparing for a long-distance move, our team can help you choose the right container size and walk you through the best practices for protecting your furniture.