For every art lover, proper storing artwork and collectibles is a key concern when moving. These items mean a lot and they deserve the best possible treatment. Whether it will be on a short-term or on a long-term, preserving them and keeping safe is a must! And to do so, you will need some good, professional tips. Here is how you can store your valuables and keep them in the exact condition.
Preparation is crucial for storing artwork and collectibles
If you want to pack your belongings properly, you will need to put them into best condition before storing. This means cleaning everything. There is no room for dust, rust or any other unwanted spots. Whether you are storing paintings, silverware, antiques or other valuables, choosing the right cleaning product is very important. There is a big chance you will damage your items if you treat them with harsh chemicals. So, keep this in mind when you are buying cleaning products.
Know how to pack
Knowing how to pack will save every item that you are preparing for transportation. Not to mention the importance of this step when storing artwork and collectibles. So, what is there to know?
- Firstly, don’t forget to always pack heavier items on the bottom, and lighter ones on the top.
- Secondly, you will need the right packing materials.
The right packing materials are the ones that will allow the air flow and circulation. Breathable materials keep your items fresh and will prevent them from catching mold.
And last but not least, make sure they don’t come in contact with cardboard or newspapers. They can be very acidic and cause severe damage to your belongings. In order to avoid this scenario, wrap them in acid-free materials and only after that you can put them in a box.
Be aware of…
In order to ensure the safety of your treasured belongings, packing them right won’t be enough. There are some things you will need to be aware of. Things like:
- Bugs. Make sure your storage unit is bug-free before storing artwork and collectibles. Moths and similar bugs are known for destroying everything in their way.
- Mold. Rapid changes in humidity and temperature lead to the growth of mold and mildew. And once it starts to grow, your artwork will be in danger. Be cautious and know how to keep your items safe.
- Fading. If your storage unit has a window, keep your artwork and collectibles away from the sunlight. If they are exposed to the Sun all the time, it will lead to fading damage.
- Acidic materials. Don’t keep your items in contact with acidic materials. Even newspapers can damage your valuables.
Document everything
Once you prepare your belongings for storing, write down all of them. Make a report in which you will take a notation of every item’s condition. When you have everything written down on paper, nothing will get lost. And once you want to move your items from the storage, you will know the exact number of stored artwork and collectibles. Organizing their move will be a piece of cake. Also, if possible, take photos of them. Photographs will show you in what condition your belongings were before you stored them. It will be easier for you to notice even the smallest damage on them.
Pick the right storage unit
When it comes to storing artwork and collectibles, you will need a good storage NYC. Don’t go with the one you’ve just stumbled upon! Choose your storage wisely. First of all, think of the preferred location. It needs to be somewhat close to you so that you can be able to do routine checkups on your items. And secondly, it needs to be in perfect condition. If storage is damaged, has a hole or mold, it will ruin your precious belongings. If you end up with a storage in bad shape, fix every problem before you start storing your belongings in it.
Keep an eye on humidity levels
Most people forget to pay attention to humidity levels. Recommended levels of humidity should be around 50%. If humidity levels are above 60% or below 40%, damages like cracking paint or growing mildew can occur. Instead of risking, regularly stop by your storage and check humidity levels. You can do it by yourself by installing a special instrument hygrometer, or you can hire a professional. With this in control, your items will stay in perfect condition.
Hang them up
If it is possible, hang your artwork in the storage. You can install S hooks and hang all of them. The air flow will be better if they are not stacked on the floor. If you are not allowed to make changes to the storage that you are renting, you will need to stack your artwork. But, make sure you stack them vertically. If you lay them on top of another, their weight will damage the artwork that is on the bottom of a pile.
Routine checkups
In the end, don’t forget to make routine checkups. You don’t need to stop by your storage unit every day or every week. But check it up at least once a month. Take your dog to a walk and make sure everything is okay. You will be able to inspect the storage from the outside, and from the inside. If you notice any damage, fix it.
And remember to inspect it for bugs. Even if unit next to yours catches moths, yours unit will be in danger, too. Now you can see why making regular checkups are important. Better safe than sorry. All in all, if you want to preserve your items, you’ll just have to follow our super easy tips. Storing artworks and collectibles, while keeping them safe at the same time, has never been easier!