There are several things you need to know when it comes to the best way to store pillows. For example, you need to follow different protocol for bedroom pillow storage than you do for outdoor pillow storage. You also need to extra care with throw pillow storage because they’re decorative, rather than purely functional. This step-by-step process will be the ultimate guide while you’re packing your pillows for storage and its provided by the experts at Kent Storage, who have been storing pillows for over 70-years!
Step 1: Decide on the pillows you want to store
Step 2: Categorise your pillows for easy storage
Step 3: Purchase quality packing materials
Step 4: Devote attention to each item for superior protection
Step 5: Clearly label each tub and create a detailed inventory
Step 6: Carefully pack tubs in your moving vehicle
Step 7: Place tubs in correct place in storage area
Step 1: Decide On The Pillows You Want To Store
There’s no point going to the trouble and expense of wrapping, packing and storing pillows that you will never use. You need to think about the property in which you plan on living once you’re done with long-term storage. How many bedrooms will it have? How many couches will it house? Will it have an outdoor area?
If you are downsizing, then you’ll be able to sell or dispose of much of your pillow collection. If you won’t have outdoor furniture, then sell it, along with any outdoor cushions. By making the right decisions now, you can save yourself a considerable amount of time, money and effort later.
Step 2: Categorise Your Pillows For Easy Storage
As mentioned above, different pillows will have different packing requirements. So that you can work methodically and understand how to pack pillows properly, it makes sense to put all the pillows you’re going to store into categories. The categories will depend on what you’re storing, but you may have a pile of outdoor pillows, a pile of bedroom pillows and a pile of throw pillows.
Step 3: Purchase Quality Packing Materials
Quality packing materials are essential for proper pillow storage. The materials you use will vary depending on the type of pillow you need to pack, but at a minimum, you’ll need:
- Clear plastic tubs with clip-on lids
- Breathable plastic wrap
- Packing tape
- Clean pillowcases
- Permanent marker.
Step 4: Devote attention to each item for superior protection
Each one of your pillows needs care and attention to ensure it come out of storage in perfect condition. Follow the procedure below for the specific type of pillow you need to store.
How to store outdoor pillows:
- Treat each cushion to protect against moisture. Only use the treatments and product listed in the manufacturer instructions
- Wrap each pillow individually in heavy-duty plastic outdoor wrap, securing the wrap with packing tape
- Place each pillow inside a clear plastic tub
- Label the tub in detail. For example, ‘Outdoor Furniture Pillows’.
How to store bedroom pillows:
- Place each pillow inside a clean pillowcase
- Wrap each pillow individually in breathable plastic wrap, securing the wrap with packing tape. Be sure not to wrap too tight or you can permanently alter the shape of the pillow
- Place each pillow inside a clear plastic tub
- Label the tub in detail. For example, ‘Bedroom Pillows – Main & Spare’.
How to store throw pillows:
- Place each throw pillow inside a clean pillowcase. If your pillows are particularly ornate or have delicate stitching, you may wish to consider using two pillowcases instead of one
- Wrap each pillow individually in breathable plastic wrap, securing the wrap with packing tape. Be sure not to wrap too tight or you can permanently alter the shape of the pillow
- Place each pillow inside a clear plastic tub. Be careful not to stack anything on top of delicate cushions
- Label the tub in detail. For example, ‘Throw Pillows – Family Room’.
Step 5: Clearly Label Each Tub And Create A Detailed Inventory
The importance of labelling your tubs cannot be underestimated. It makes packing, unpacking and tracking your items so much easier. The most important part of labelling is ensuring that each label corresponds to your detailed inventory. This will ensure that everything you put in storage comes out again. It will also make step 8 easier for your storage provider.
Step 6: Carefully Pack Tubs In Moving Vehicle
Plastic tubs can cause a considerable amount of damage if they are not safely packed and secured inside your moving truck.
The best way to prevent movement is to stack your tubs in one corner and fasten each one to the side of the truck using ropes or bungee cord occy straps. For extra protection, consider using a large piece of furniture, like a table, to keep stacks of tubs in place.
Step 7: Place Tubs In Correct Place In Storage Area
You need to choose a secure storage space for your pillows. Some storage spaces consist of little more than a bricked room or a cage with a wire mesh roof. These types of storage spaces leave your belongings open to all sorts of problems, ranging from temperature fluctuations to damp, insects, dust and even fire and theft. By contrast, the best storage for pillows will have fire control and alarm systems, climate control and protection against dust and pests.
However, you still need to pack your storage space intelligently to protect against unplanned events like moisture seeping into the space. To safeguard against damp, stack your items away from the walls and off the floor.
Follow this step-by-step procedure, and you’ll give your cushions and pillows the protection they need to last through storage, and come out the other side in perfect condition. Of course, you could just contact Kent Storage; we’ll take care of everything for you, whether it is packing, wrapping, delivering or redelivering, we do it all!