How To Prepare Pottery For Storage
A pottery collection, either of pieces that you've made yourself or pieces that you've purchased, can take up a whole lot of space within your home. If you want to get some of that space back, but don't want to part with your valuable collection, you may want to consider renting a self-storage unit to put your pottery into. However, you need to take care to properly prepare your collection before you move it into a storage unit to ensure that it does not become damaged.
Cleaning
The first thing that you should do when prepping your pottery for storage is to clean it. This is because any sort of dirt, oil, or other contaminants that may be sitting on the surface of your pottery can eat away at the glaze, paint, and the pottery itself over time if left to sit, which can ruin both the aesthetic and the structural integrity of your pottery itself. You should use a soft sponge and warm, soapy water to wipe down your pottery, and allow for it to dry in an area out of direct sunlight to ensure that no bleaching occurs.
Proper Wrapping and Packing
Once all of your pottery is clean and dry, you need to begin to wrap and pack them away in boxes to make moving them into a storage unit an easier process, as well as to provide some degree of cushioning against physical damage. Look for bubble wrap or acid free wrapping paper, available at most moving and storage supply stores, as these won't cause any sort of damage to the surface of your pottery while still providing protection. You'll want to package your pottery into individual boxes, and fill up all empty space (including empty spaces within the pottery itself) with your cushioning material. Make sure to clearly label each box that you use so that you know which pieces of your collection are where.
Climate Control
Finally, before renting a storage unit like Afford It Mini Storage, you may want to consider looking into climate-controlled units. This is especially important for pottery, as low temperatures or any sort of sudden temperature fluctuations can cause your pottery to suddenly crack, as can excessive amounts of moisture in the air. While climate controlled self-storage units are somewhat more of an expense than a simple storage locker, they will provide a higher degree of protection to your pottery, and are worth considering.