The furniture in our homes is often a significant investment and, as such, we do all we can to keep it safe and well maintained. While this is easy enough when the item is in your house or flat, what about if you need to keep it outside of the home for a while? In this article we’re sharing tips on how to store a sofa along with some techniques for long-term preservation. 

Sitting pretty during sofa storage

On average, most people in the UK will spend between £400 and £1500 on a sofa for their home and will usually only replace this every 7 – 15 years or so. Even in your home, your sofa can be subject to damage and wear and tear so many people worry that if they need to put their sofa into storage for any length of time – for example, when moving house, it may not survive in the same condition it’s currently in. 

How to store a sofa: techniques for long-term preservation

Sofas come in many shapes, sizes and materials and so, in this section, we’re going to start by looking at how to prepare your sofa for storage: 

Fabric sofas

The most common types of sofa are those with fabric coverings which can be quite easily damaged or stained. In this section, we’ll run through some tips and techniques for storing your fabric sofa safely: 

Start with a clean sheet before storage

Before you even think about moving and storing your bed or sofa, your first job is to make sure that it is clean and clear of debris as this will prevent any decay occurring due to existing dirt. To clean your fabric sofa: 

– Remove all of the cushions and then, using a nozzle attachment for your vacuum cleaner, hoover up any bits of loose dirt and debris.

– Tackle any obvious stains with a mixture made from equal measures of washing up liquid, white vinegar, baking soda and lukewarm water. Apply this directly to the stain and leave for 30 minutes before rinsing with clean warm water and leaving to dry naturally.

– Sprinkle a powder carpet cleaner or specialist sofa cleaner liberally across the whole couch and leave for one hour before hoovering up the excess powder and wiping the sofa with a warm damp cloth. Leave to dry naturally (avoid using a hairdryer as this can damage the fabric). 

Wrap it up

The key to keeping your sofa clean and damage free while in storage is to wrap it properly – and here’s how it’s done: 

– Break it up – If your sofa can be disassembled (for example, if it arrived flat-packed when you bought it), then it will be much easier to store if you take it apart. You will almost certainly need some tools for this and, if you don’t have the original instructions, you should be able to find some help online. 

– Wrap it up – Having removed the large cushions, wrap the entire sofa (or the pieces if your sofa has been disassembled) in furniture blankets, movers wrap or other fabric. Where possible, use breathable fabrics such as cotton and always avoid plastic wraps which attract moisture that can damage your sofa.

– Tape it up – Once your sofa has been wrapped securely, use packing tape or bungee cords to keep the wrapping in place. Try to wrap your sofa as tightly as possible to prevent dirt and moisture seeping in.

Moving your sofa

Now that your sofa is cleaned and wrapped, it’s time to get it moving. If your sofa is not disassembled, this can be a challenge and will usually take at least two people to get the job done.

Use a measuring tape to figure out how much room your doorways will have in comparison to the size of your sofa as this will help you to work out how to move it (for example, vertically or sideways). The last thing you want is for your sofa to get stuck in a doorway which may cause damage to the frame. 

When transporting your sofa, always make sure that it is secured properly within the van and that no heavy objects are placed on top of it. 

How to store a sofa made of leather

If you have a leather sofa there’s a good chance that this is a fairly expensive item – and one which may need specialist care and so, in this section, we’ll look at how to prepare a leather sofa for storage. 

– Clean and clear – As with a fabric sofa, you should begin by using a nozzle attachment on your vacuum cleaner (on a low heat) to remove any loose debris from your sofa. Next wipe the sofa down with a specialist leather cleaner.

– Protect and preserve – Invest in a leather protector which will stop any dirt from seeping into the leather during storage. 

– It’s a wrap – As before, use blankets or covers in a breathable fabric to completely cover your sofa and then secure properly.  

How to store a sofa 

Now that your sofa is clean and wrapped and ready to go, it’s time to think about storage options. If you’re only planning to store your sofa for a short length of time, you can usually do this by placing it in a garage or other secure outbuilding as long as it’s not subject to extreme temperatures. If, however, you need to store your sofa for a significant amount of time, your best option is to hire a storage unit. 

How to choose a secure storage unit for your sofa

When entrusting your previous sofa to a storage facility, you want to make sure that it comes out in the same condition as it went in. For this reason it’s worth doing your research including: 

– Asking friends and family for recommendations

– Reading reviews

– Asking questions

– Visiting the facility to check that its clean, dry and secure

– Checking the compensation clause in the contract to make sure it’s adequate for the value of your sofa

If you’re storing a leather sofa, you may also want to choose a unit which is climate controlled as leather can be affected by extreme heat and cold and can be subject to cracking.

Extra protection

When hiring a storage facility for your sofa, your contract will usually include some insurance however this is often quite basic. If your sofa is particularly valuable or fragile, you may want to consider taking out additional insurance. While your storage facility will no doubt do their best to keep your sofa safe things do unfortunately happen – in which case you’ll be grateful for the extra cover. 

A safe seat

For many of us, our sofa is our “happy place” – the one we come home to after a long day at work. Because of this, taking care of your sofa – including when in storage – is of paramount importance. 

Before entrusting your sofa to a storage unit, always make sure that it is clean – and, also, check for any existing damage and make a record of this to check against once you retrieve your sofa from storage.