Why Plastic Furniture Covers Are Essential When Moving or Storing

🛑 The Risk of Not Using Furniture Covers

When you're moving house or placing furniture in a self-storage unit, leaving it uncovered is one of the most common mistakes people make. Over time, even the cleanest environment can cause dust to settle deep into upholstery, moisture to seep in, and accidental scratches or scuffs to appear on delicate surfaces. In shared moving vans or storage units, there’s also a risk of dirt from other items transferring onto your furniture. If you’re storing long-term or moving during rainy months, the exposure can even lead to mildew or mold.

Without protective covering, your valuable items like mattresses, sofas, and dining chairs could suffer unnecessary wear and tear — resulting in costly repairs or premature replacements. Using plastic furniture covers is a simple yet highly effective way to avoid this damage altogether.

✅ Benefits of Plastic Furniture Covers

Plastic furniture covers offer affordable, reliable protection that’s ideal for anyone moving or storing household items. They’re designed to be lightweight, easy to apply, and capable of covering most standard-sized furniture pieces completely.

Here are some of the main benefits:

Dust & Dirt Protection: Plastic covers form a barrier against dust, debris, and airborne particles, keeping your furniture looking as good as new.
Waterproof Barrier: Ideal for outdoor moves or damp storage environments, the waterproof material keeps moisture and rain from reaching your furniture.
Scratch & Tear Prevention: Covers prevent surface scratches and tears, especially when loading furniture into vans or tight storage units.
Pest Deterrent: In storage units or garages, plastic furniture covers help block insects or rodents from damaging upholstery or chewing fabric.
Reusable & Recyclable: Many high-quality plastic covers can be used multiple times and are recyclable, making them an eco-conscious option.

Whether you're a first-time mover or someone who relocates often, using plastic covers ensures your furniture stays clean, dry, and safe.

🪑 What Items Should You Cover?

Not every piece of furniture requires the same type of protection, but any item with fabric, cushioning, or delicate surfaces should be covered to prevent long-term damage.

Items that benefit most from plastic furniture covers include:

Sofas & Couches: Covering 2-seater or 3-seater sofas protects against moisture, scuffs, and accumulated dirt during transport or storage.
Beds & Mattresses: From single to king size, mattress covers prevent stains, bed bugs, and exposure to dust mites.
Armchairs & Dining Chairs: Prevent fabric wear and tear from friction or dust when stacked or stored for long periods.
Padded Headboards: These can easily collect dust or absorb moisture — a plastic cover helps maintain their condition.
Cushions, Rugs & Soft Furnishings: Group these together and wrap them in plastic to keep everything clean and together.

Covering these items adds peace of mind, especially when storing them for several weeks or months.

🛏️ Plastic Covers vs. Moving Blankets: Which Is Better?

While both are useful for protecting your furniture, they serve slightly different purposes. Here’s how they compare:

Feature	Plastic Covers	Moving Blankets
Waterproof	✅ Yes	❌ No
Reusable	⚠️ Sometimes	✅ Yes
Dust/Pest Barrier	✅ Excellent	⚠️ Limited
Scratch Protection	⚠️ Basic	✅ Excellent
Best Used For	Weather, Dust, Storage	Fragile, Impact Safety

Plastic furniture covers are ideal for dust-proofing and waterproofing, especially for upholstered or fabric items. However, moving blankets are better for cushioning and preventing knocks or scrapes during transit. For maximum protection, it’s often best to use both together—first cover the item in plastic, then wrap with blankets where needed.

🛠️ How to Use Plastic Covers Effectively

Using plastic furniture covers properly ensures full protection and prevents damage during movement or long-term storage. Here's how to make the most of them:

Choose the Right Size: Match the cover to the furniture piece. Most covers are available in sizes designed for sofas, chairs, or mattresses.
Clean the Furniture First: Make sure the item is clean and completely dry to prevent mold from developing inside the cover.
Wrap Carefully: Slide the cover over the item slowly to avoid tears. For large items like sofas, it may help to have a second person assist.
Seal the Ends: Use packing tape or clips to tightly seal the open edges, especially when storing long-term or during rainy weather.
Store in a Dry Location: Although plastic is waterproof, the furniture should still be kept in a well-ventilated, dry area to avoid condensation inside the cover.

🛒 Where to Buy Quality Furniture Covers in the UK

At The Box Warehouse, we supply a full range of plastic furniture covers designed specifically for moving and storage. Whether you need a plastic sofa cover, armchair protector, or mattress bag, we’ve got you covered—literally.

All our plastic covers are: