Leather is loved for its durability, versatility, and luxurious feel, but storing it takes special care to protect it from drying, discoloration, and cracking.
Leather is loved for its durability, versatility, and all-around luxurious feel on anything from books to furniture. But if you're putting something leather into storage, you need to take special care to protect it from harm.
With the right preparation, the right storage unit, and the right care, you can prevent drying, discoloration, cracking, and other potential damages. Storing leather in style is a piece of cake.
Preparing Your Leather for Storage
- Remove any kind of contaminates or foreign objects that could cause scratches or even mildew growth. For leather furniture, first vacuum out all its nooks and crannies. Check the pockets in leather jackets, pants, or purses for crumbs, dust, or other debris.
- Dampen a clean cloth with a leather cleaner and wipe down your leather.
- Dry the leather with a soft towel and begin applying a conditioner to ensure it remains soft. You can either use a store-bought conditioner or make one at home with one-part white vinegar and two parts linseed oil.
- Cover or bag your leather items. Use a breathable cover or coat bag to avoid trapping condensation and promoting mildew growth. If using tape or adhesives to hold the cover or bag closed, avoid making direct contact between the tape and the leather.
Selecting a Storage Unit
Climate Control
The most important amenity we offer if you plan to store anything leather is our climate-controlled units. This is crucial in preserving your leather!
Leather expands in high temperatures, which can cause it to dry out and crack. Plus, when the air your leather lives in gets too humid, it invites mold to grow.
By electing to store your leather in a climate-controlled environment, you can rest easy knowing a constant temperature and humidity level is being maintained within your unit.
Modern Amenities
Did you know we offer a free moving truck? Or 24-hour video surveillance? We know your leather is precious, so getting it here and keeping it safe requires more than a truck bed or a lock on a door.
All Modern Storage® locations have modern security features such as controlled-access gates, on-site managers, and perimeter fencing. Our climate-controlled building even requires a unique customer keycode to enter the facility.
Plus, once you get here, you can enjoy complimentary coffee (at select locations), water, carts, and five-star customer service.
Storing Your Leather
Leather needs to breathe. You shouldn't cram leather-bound journals in a box or shove a leather chair into the corner of your unit.
- Place a plastic sheet or wooden pallet beneath any furniture or boxes to avoid collecting moisture on the floor.
- Place leather fabrics in a breathable coat bag and hang them on a rack.
- Cover leather furniture pieces with a natural cloth, place them in the center of your unit, and do not stack items on top.
By following our tips, you can keep your leather feeling soft and looking great for years to come!