Storing sofas and armchairs: preparing fabrics and upholstery
Sofas, armchairs and ottomans require a different preparation from rigid furniture. Coatings, fillings and mechanisms can react differently to the cleaning and protection used. Before the case, it is best to know the manufacturer's indications, to distinguish the disassembled parts and to report the delicate elements. The purpose is to deliver clean and dry furnishings, avoiding improvised treatments close to the retreat.
Clean respecting the material
Look for the label or instructions related to the coating: fabric, leather and synthetic materials should not be treated the same way. If you plan a professional cleaning, arrange it in advance enough for the furniture to be ready for handling. Do not apply aggressive products or fragrances only to mask a problem. Mark stains, areas already deteriorated and parts that require attention, keeping useful photographs to recognize them. The deposit does not replace an assessment of the condition of the furniture.
Check that the furniture is dry
After a wash it is not enough that the surface looks dry to the touch. Follow the times and directions of the treatment carried out, considering also cushions and padding. Communicate to the operators if the furniture has been cleaned recently and postpones the closure of the protections until the preparation is adequate. Do not insert still wet cushions in sealed bags. If there is a doubt about the state of the materials, ask the professional who has done the cleaning before proceeding.
Identify modules, feet and accessories
A modular sofa can include similar but not interchangeable modules. Photograph the configuration and assigns comprehensible references to the pieces, agreeing with those performing the dismantling. Collect any removed feet and small accessories in a container connected to the inventory of the sofa. For reclining models or with integrated bed, it signals mechanisms, power supplies and commands. Do not intervene on systems that you do not know: the methods of preparation must be compatible with the specific structure.
Agree protections and handling
The protection must take into account the coating and the path, not only the encumbrance. Avoid adhesive tapes applied directly on fabrics or finishes and do not assume that any wrapping is good for a prolonged stay. Ask how the exposed points will be protected and which parts will be packed separately. Explains whether the sofa should be returned shortly or after several months; it is useful information to define a preparation consistent with the expected service.
Think about the new environment of use
It keeps overall measurements and size of the modules even while the sofa is in storage. Before returning, check the passage through the ports and stairs of the destination: a new house can have a different path from the exit. It also prepares the area in which it will be recomposed, leaving room to work. When the accessories are identified and the layout is already decided, the return to everyday use is more ordered.