Look, storing a good wood table or a dresser you actually care about in one of those standard storage units can feel like a gamble. You drive away wondering if you’ll open the door in six months to a warped, funky-smelling disaster.

I used a regular unit for an old oak desk years ago. I made every mistake in the book. I wrapped it in plastic sheeting like a leftover casserole. Big mistake. When I pulled it out, it had this faint, sad smell of damp wood, and the top had clouded up. I had to spend a weekend sanding and refinishing the thing to fix my own laziness.

So, let’s get into how to actually do it right. This isn’t textbook stuff. This is what you learn the hard way.

First, the enemy isn’t just temperature. It’s moisture. That muggy summer air gets in, then the cold night hits, and that moisture condenses on your stuff. Wood soaks it up like a cracker, and then it swells. Then it dries out and shrinks. This back-and-forth is what causes the damage.

Battle-Tested Furniture Storage Tips That Actually Work

1. Clean It Better Than You Think You Need To

I know, it’s going into storage, why bother? Because dirt and oil are sticky. They hold onto that moisture you’re trying to avoid. Take a minute. Wipe the whole thing down with a cloth that’s just barely damp—like, you’ve wrung it out so thoroughly your hand hurts. Then dry it immediately with another cloth. Let it sit in your garage for an hour to air out completely. This is the most boring, skip-able step. Don’t skip it.

2. Wax On. Not just for Karate Kid

Before you wrap it, give it a good coat of furniture wax or a polish you trust. Don’t goop it on. Just a nice, thin layer. Buff it. This isn’t about making it shiny for the dark. It’s about putting a barrier between the wood and the world. This was the game-changer for me after the plastic-wrap incident.

3. The Wrap Job. This is where everyone screws up

For the love of all that is good, do not use plastic wrap. I don’t care how convenient it looks. Plastic doesn’t breathe. It traps any hint of moisture inside and creates a miniature swamp ecosystem around your grandmother’s hutch. You’ll get mold. You’ll get mildew. You’ll get that smell.

What do you use? Breathable stuff.

• Old cotton sheets are the MVP. They let air move but keep dust off.
• Butcher paper or the plain brown kraft paper from the moving store. It’s cheap, it’s breathable, it’s perfect.
• Furniture blankets are for padding, not sealing. So, wrap the piece in a sheet first, then pad it with a blanket if you’re worried about bumps.

Secure it all with rope or those stretchy cords. Never tape directly to the furniture.

4. How to Place It In The Unit?

This part is crucial. Do not just shove it against the wall.

• Get it off the floor: Concrete floors are cold and often damp. You need to create an air gap. Use pallets. Use 2x4s. Use anything. I once used a bunch of old yogurt containers turned upside down under the corners of a table in a pinch. It looked ridiculous, but it worked.
• Leave an air gap: Don’t let your furniture touch the walls of the unit. Leave a few inches so air can circulate behind it.
• The Secret Weapon: Go to the hardware store and get a few tubs of DampRid or something similar. These are moisture absorbers. Pop the lid off one and stick it on the seat of a wrapped chair. Put another inside a drawer. These things will quietly pull moisture out of the air for months. They’re like little silent guardians for your stuff.

A Quick Word From Me (And My Company)

Everything I just told you? It works. I use these tricks myself. But I also have to be straight with you: if you’re storing a truly irreplaceable family heirloom for the long haul, you should really consider one of our climate-controlled units. They take all this worry off the table. They keep the temperature and, more importantly, the humidity, steady. It’s the difference between keeping your stuff in a sealed vault versus on a covered porch. For that one-of-a-kind piece, it’s worth it.

Otherwise, follow this advice. Prep it like you mean it, and your furniture will be just fine. Maybe even give it a quick check every few months if you can. Open the door, make sure it still smells dry, and see if the DampRid tubs are full of water. It’s peace of mind.

You got this.