3 Simple Solutions to Safely Move & Store Your Leather Furniture
Posted on: 8 August 2016
From cleaning and organizing to packing and transporting, it is easy to see the challenges of moving. You may already know how to pack and move boxes, clothes, and most furniture pieces, but you should also learn how to protect your leather chairs and sofa during a move. Using these simple solutions, you can move and store your leather furniture pieces in a safe manner.
Clean
Before the movers arrive, consider removing any dirt, dust, and debris on the leather upholstery of your chairs and sofa. You may think cleaning the leather before moving is pointless, but if those items sit for long periods of time, they will damage and discolor the leather. Thus, spending this time to clean your leather chairs and sofa is essential before moving.
Start by connecting the soft-bristled brush attachment to your vacuum cleaner. Run the brush across the entire leather surface, suctioning away light dirt and debris. If parts of your leather feel sticky, use 4 tablespoons of linseed oil and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to create a leather cleaner. Stir using a spoon and apply the solution to a microfiber cloth. Use the cloth to remove sticky residue form your leather chairs and sofa.
You should also spend some time cleaning in between and under any cushions and pillows to remove food, dirt, dust, small toys, and money that may be found in these cracks and crevices.
Move
After cleaning your leather furniture pieces, cover with thick blankets or another protective material. This layer of padding will protect the actual leather upholstery from potential scratches, tears, and other damage during the move. Make sure to secure the blankets or wrap in place using tape, but apply the tap to the protective wrap only. Do not stick the tape to any part of your leather, since this will damage your upholstery.
If possible, remove the legs from the bottom of your leather chairs and sofa. Wrap the legs in bubble wrap and pack in a box. Use a marker to label the box, allowing you and the movers to know exactly where the legs are once the furniture is moved to its new location.
Most leather sofas and chairs are heavy and bulky, so they are difficult to carry. Be sure the movers have an open space to safely carry your leather sofa or chair into the moving truck. Children and pets should be in a designated space of your home, ensuring they do not get into the mover's path while carrying the heavier furniture.
Store
In many instances, you will need to store your belongings for a specific period of time before moving into your new residence.
Excessively high or low temperatures can break down the leather upholstery, leading to cracks and discoloration over time. Also, these extreme temperatures can increase or decrease humidity levels in your storage unit.
Since there are numerous microscopic holes in leather, the moisture from the humidity will build up in the upholstery. While an increased amount of humidity will keep your leather moisturized, a decreased amount of humidity can cause the leather to become overly dry. This dryness will cause the leather to crack and discolor.
To ensure your leather chairs and sofa are safe, store them in a climate-controlled unit. This will maintain healthy, comfortable temperatures for your leather furniture. Consider testing the humidity levels with a hygrometer periodically to make sure they range between 30 and 40 percent.
Leather chairs and sofas are large investments, but you can ensure they remain appealing and durable during your move. With this guide and the help of your movers, your leather furniture will be moved and stored in a safe, simple manner. For more insight or assistance, contact companies like Wheaton World Wide Moving.
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