Whether you need to self-store your piano for a short amount of time while moving or for an indefinite time, you won't want to leave preparations until the last minute. Moving a piano requires planning and care. If you don't prepare in advance, your precious instrument could end up damaged. Here are three tips for preparing to store your piano using a self storage solution.

Find the Right Unit

Finding the right self storage service is essential in ensuring your piano stays in tip top condition. As with storing any item, you'll want to book a unit with a reputable company who puts security first. However, you'll also need to ensure your chosen unit is climate controlled. A piano is mostly made of wood, and it can easily be damaged by extreme temperatures or moisture. A climate controlled unit has temperature and humidity settings to ensure that anything stored inside isn't exposed to adverse conditions.

Clean and Dry It

One of the best ways to stop your piano getting damaged in storage is to make sure it's thoroughly cleaned of potentially-damaging dust and debris first. After polishing your keys, wiping the casework, and dusting the soundboard, make sure your piano is completely dried. If there's any moisture in your piano when you store it, it could become damaged or moldy over time.

Get the Right Covering

People who leave piano preparations until the last minute often opt to cover their piano with plastic wrap, as it's the only material they have to hand. This is one of the worst things you can do to a piano in storage, because plastic isn't breathable. To keep your piano safe in storage, buy a breathable fabric covering like a cotton sheet. This will keep your piano dust-free and protected.

Hire a Removals Team

If you don't have experience moving pianos, it's best to hire a removals team to get the job done for you. Due to their size and weight, moving pianos is risky business and could pose a threat to both you and the instrument. Hire a team with piano experience, and they'll be able to disassemble, transport, and reassemble the piano at your unit without breaking anything.

Don't Tune It

One of the biggest misconceptions about storing a piano is that you should tune it beforehand so it's ready to go when you retrieve it. In reality, there's no benefit to doing this. Due to the passage of time and environmental changes, all pianos will need returning when they come out of storage, even if they were tuned when you put them in there. When you do retrieve your piano, leave it to settle in its new environment for a few weeks then tune to your liking for best results.