Answered by Jenna Farmer
April 15, 2013
Robert is right in that every shelf should be wrapped individually in ensure a safe trip for your furniture to your new home. However, depending on what type of wood your shelves are made out of, and how long your shelves will be in transit, it may be best to take a few extra steps. Get a free quote here at movers.com for moving companies that can help you with this process.
Clean and Polish Your Shelves
Wood dries out over time, plain and simple. After you've done your part to disassemble all of your shelving, thoroughly dust all shelving, then use a wood furniture polish to wipe down all of your shelving before packing. If your shelves will be in transit for a week or two, this will saturate the wood and give it added protection against the elements. Make sure all hardware like screws, nails, etc. are removed from shelving before packing as well - these items can be packed in small plastic bag.
Wrap Your Shelves
While bubble wrap may be OK for a small, short move, it can be potentially deadly for a move taking longer than a week, or with furniture being stored in storage units that aren't climate controlled. In high heat, the plastic can melt, so you may be better off wrapping the shelves in multiple layers of heavy craft paper, or a material with natural fibers that won't stick to your furniture. After you've wrapped them, it is safe to tape them (do not put tape directly on wooden furniture, you'll end up with residue that can be tricky removing without taking off the wood's finish). Once the shelves are taped, you can then wrap them in moving blankets or towels as Robert suggests.
Be aware that this extra packing will make your solid wood shelves even heavier, so you make want some tips for packing heavy items or how to protect your belongings.