Sentimental items and luxury investment pieces share one thing in common: they are valuable. Of course, luxury investment pieces have a higher monetary value compared to sentimental items. However, no one would want either item to be damaged, as some could be irreplaceable.
What can be classed as a valuable item has such a vast range. It could be larger items such as classic cars to pieces of art, all the way to rare coins. Understandably, whatever you consider valuable in your home, you will want to ensure that you have put as many measures as possible in place to help keep them in the best condition possible.
If you are looking for ways to care for the most valuable items in your home and help to keep them in top condition, keep reading as we have detailed a few ways to achieve this goal.
Products Used To Clean
Depending on the item you are caring for, you may want to clean it, so it looks in the best condition possible. However, cleaning valuable items requires slightly different techniques than everyday household belongings. One of the main differences is the products used. Certain cleaning products could cause more damage than good when cleaning valuable items. If you are hoping to clean antique items, spend time researching the best cleaning methods and what products to avoid. Some cleaning products contain certain chemicals that could strip away the material it is being applied to.
Think About Storage
When looking for ways to store items, consider the location in your home where you store them. You want to avoid any areas that are cold and more susceptible to damp, such as an attic or garage. Additionally, you should think about accessibility. Is it something that you want to access regularly? If so, find a location you can easily access if and when needed. Along with storage, think about how the items are packaged. Over time, items wrapped in certain materials or stored in plastic containers can cause reactions, especially to certain materials. Research what materials and containers are the most suitable for the belongings you wish to package and store away safely.
How It Is Displayed
You might decide you do not want some of your most valuable items hidden in storage. They mean something to you, and you want to display them so you can see them each day. Finding ways to display them without them being at risk of getting damaged is essential. For instance, if you have a collection of antique dinnerware, you could invest in a glass display case to store these pieces. This way, you can have them displayed but keep them enclosed and out of reach from others. With artwork, ensure that you keep it out of sunlight and that they are not hanging above a fireplace or radiator. Changes in temperature can affect the quality of the pictures, so keep in mind the location where you choose to display certain items.
Consider Insuring Items
One way to protect the valuable items in your home is through household contents insurance. Investing in an insurance policy can help to cover you against theft, damage or loss of any personal possessions in your home. There are various policies available, so it is worth comparing the options before making any final decisions. Some might require you to pay extra, hence why researching each policy and what it covers will help you make a more informed decision about whether or not you should move forward with contents insurance and which policy you want. Whilst you might not be able to replace the sentimental items, household contents insurance can be helpful for your more luxury possessions.
Preparing To Move House
Are you planning on selling your home and moving somewhere new? If so, you might want to consider how you will care for your most valuable possessions when transporting them between locations. These are some helpful tips that could help to keep your belongings in top condition during the big move.
- Invest In Packing Materials – Before you even depart, you need to ensure that your valuable belongings are ready for transport. Think about what can be packed in a suitcase and what needs to be carefully wrapped in protective packing materials to reduce the risk of damage. Invest in plenty of packing materials so that you can wrap up all of the belongings that need the extra layers. It is better to be slightly excessive with wrapping valuables in packaging rather than not using enough and possibly risking items getting damaged. You might even choose to add additional layers of protection to the box or bags these valuable items will be stored. Adding more protection could help increase the chances of valuables making it to their new home in one piece.
- Hire Professionals To Pack & Move – Of course, packing and moving valuable items can be a stressful experience, but it can also be time-consuming. Finding ways to reduce these issues can be tremendously helpful. Hiring professional packers and movers to handle this task is worth considering. Understandably, it is an investment, but their professional services and experience in this area could be valuable, especially with high-value items. Utilising these services could help to increase the chances of moving valuable items between locations without damages occurring. Fortunately, there are plenty of movers and packers available that you can use to help with your house move. Compare the choices of movers and packers using sites like Compare My Move to find the right movers for you. Using these services could be greatly beneficial when moving homes.
- Plan The Route – Going down winding roads over multiple speedbumps and roads notorious for their potholes can increase the risk of your belongings getting damaged in transit. Before you depart for the big move, ensure that you know what routes to take, the time of day you plan to travel and if there are any road works that could disrupt your journey. Whilst this might seem excessive, it can help you to move your belongings from one home to the next carefully.
- Careful With Driving – Speaking of being overly cautious, as you move your belongings between properties, and set off on your planned route, ensure that you are careful with your driving. Of course, you will be driving responsibly and within speed limits, but take your time and be extra cautious. You might choose to drive a touch slower and drive routes that involve dual carriageways and motorways.
The More You Know
Fortunately, as you can see, there are plenty of ways to care for your most valuable belongings and keep them in the best possible condition. The ones mentioned above are just a handful worth considering. The most valuable possessions in our lives mean the most. It is understandable for us wanting to put as many measures as possible in place to keep them protected, whether they be at home or when moving to your new house.
Whether it be using the tips mentioned above, or a mixture of your own, you can put a safety net in place to help protect your belongings. Not all of these measures have to be costly investments; some are just small changes to make that could make a noticeable difference. You can benefit from knowing that your most valuable possessions are protected.
