Putting a sofa, loveseat, or recliner into a storage unit is a great way to ensure you have it on hand later on when you need it again. However, time in storage can really do a number on a soft piece of furniture, leaving it moldy and compressed if you're not careful. To make sure your furniture emerges in a still-usable state, adhere to these dos and don'ts.

Do: Choose climate-controlled storage.

Unless you live in an area where every day is 70 degrees with 40% humidity, you absolutely need to pay a bit more for climate-controlled storage. Otherwise, one humid day could render your furniture damp, moldy, and disgusting. Even if you're storing your item in the winter, climate-controlled storage is a better choice since changes in temperature from day-to-day can cause interior wooden components to crack and material to shrink.

Do: Cover your furniture with a sheet.

Use a plain, cotton sheet or a furniture cover made from breathable cotton to cover the furniture. This will keep dust off the item without trapping moisture and pests inside. Do not use thick, plastic covers. If there is any lingering moisture on your furniture—even just from the air—when you cover the item, you'll create a sauna-like environment where bacteria and mold thrive.

Don't: Put the furniture flat on the ground.

Even if your furniture has legs, you don't want to set it flat on the ground. Moisture can travel up the legs, dampening the actual soft materials. Even in a climate-controlled, indoor storage unit, there's a chance that something could spill in a nearby unit and pool under the walls. So, put a pallet on the floor and the furniture on a pallet.

Don't: Spray your furniture with air fresheners.

You might think that doing so will give your furniture a better scent when it emerges, but these products tend to leave stains when sprayed on in an area where your furniture can't dry out and breathe well—like a storage unit. If you're really worried about odors, leave a few open boxes of baking soda in the storage unit. The baking soda will absorb odors without harming the furniture.

With the tips above, your soft furniture should emerge looking fresh and in great shape—whether you store if for a month or a year. For more storage advice, reach out to companies like Father & Son Moving & Storage in your area.