The dollhouse I renovated had been stored unprotected in a garage for many years. It was damp, the roof was warped and it smelt horrendously of mildew. So I know not to store a dollhouse in a garage, but I did want to find out how best to store a dollhouse for when my kids no longer play with it and I put it away for their kids.
As a general rule, it’s best to store a dollhouse in a temperature and humidity controlled environment, wrapped in bubble wrap to keep dust off and stored in a plastic or cardboard box. This is particularly important for wooden dollhouses as wood can easily warp in damp conditions. If you can’t store your dollhouse in a controlled environment, then wrap it in bubblewrap or cotton sheets and put it in a large plastic box to keep out dust, mice and insects and place some silica gel in the box to help reduce moisture.
Ideal dollhouse storage conditions
Ideally, a dollhouse should be stored in a controlled environment. I spoke to the experts at Big Yellow Storage and they suggested wrapping a dollhouse in bubblewrap to keep dust off and to protect the dollhouse from any knocks.
You might want to put it in a box as well, but you won’t need to worry about heat or damp if you go for secure self storage as the it won’t be damp or experience extreme temperatures.
Storing your dollhouse in a purpose made storage facility is obviously going to be more expensive than storing it at home, especially if you’re paying for an entire unit for just one dollhouse. So what if you had to store your dollhouse somewhere at home?
How to store your dollhouse at home
The key rule for dollhouse storage is to store your dollhouse in a place that is at a constant temperature and humidity level. This isn’t easy at home as the temperature and humidity in go-to storage spaces such as lofts, cellars and garages varies massively throughout the year. I know this from venturing into our loft to retrieve some toys on a hot day and nearly passing out in the heat!
For most people though, lofts, cellars and basements are the only place with enough space to store large items like dollhouses. Our house has an old coal shed at the side of it which we now use for storage. As this shed is actually built into our house at ground level (although the door opens outside), the temperature is much more regulated than our loft. If you have a similar cupboard or shed, it might be worth storing your dollhouse there, provided it’s properly wrapped first.
The ideal temperature for storage is room temperature, which is about 21 degrees. If the area you choose to store your dollhouse in is too humid, you could use a dehumidifier to help regulate the humidity. One way to tell if the area is high in humidity is if there’s condensation on the windows or walls.
What the experts say
I spoke to Molly at packing experts Kite Packaging about how to store a dollhouse long-term in a garage, cellar or loft, and she had some really useful advice for what to store a dollhouse in:
“The best way to store a dollhouse would be to use silica gels and bubblewrap and to put the dollhouse in a cardboard box. Have the silica gel in with the dollhouse then wrap the house in bubblewrap. I would also have silica gels in the box as well to ensure no moisture would ruin the house.”
Molly recommended using indicating silica gel sachets which are designed to protect items put in long-term storage. These particular sachets change colour if they come into contact with moisture and they’re great value as they can be dried out and reused.
Molly also said that you could use foam rolls for extra protection as well. Foam rolls protect delicate surfaces from scratches so are ideal if your dollhouse has an ornate exterior or is an heirloom or antique. Packing your dollhouse with foam is also a good idea if you’re going to move it a long distance for storage, for example if you’re moving house.
If you’ve had issues with pests such as silverfish, mice and rats in the past, then it might be better to store your dollhouse in a plastic box, rather than a cardboard box, to help prevent rodents from moving in! Bear in mind though that rodents can sometimes chew through plastic, so it’s best to take precautions and ensure your storage space is protected from rodents. The Rentokil website has some excellent general advice for rodent-proofing your home and garden.
More tips for storing your dollhouse properly at home
Below are some more tips for storing your dollhouse safely:
- Remove any furniture or fittings from the dollhouse and store these separately. Wrap the contents of each room, or set, separately in bubblewrap. This will help prevent them from damage if you move the dollhouse and also mean you can find them easily when you take them out of storage.
- Thoroughly clean the dollhouse.
- If your dollhouse is made of wood, then you may want to add a coat of wax or wood oil to help preserve the wood before you store it.
- If you don’t have bubblewrap, you can wrap the dollhouse in a cotton pillowcase or sheet – this will allow the wood to breathe whilst also protecting it from dust and help to cushion the dollhouse from any knocks. If you don’t have a spare sheet then a throw or blanket will work just as well.
- Put the dollhouse in a large plastic box or cardboard box. If you choose a plastic box then use one which will allow air to circulate. Air circulation can help prevent mold and mildew from forming.
- Put sachets of silica gel into the box. Silica gel prevents unwanted damage to stored items by absorbing moisture. According to the packaging experts Kite Packaging, the amount of silica you need will depend on the volume of the container you’re storing your dollhouse in. They recommend “5 grams of silica gel is used per cubic foot of volume”.
- It would be best to store the dollhouse somewhere insulated, so if your loft, cellar or garage is insulated and has a relatively even temperature and humidity all year round, then store your dollhouse there.
- If you store any of your dollhouse items in paper or plastic bags, then make sure the plastic and paper are acid-free, your local hobby shop should stock them.
How to store plastic dollhouses
Most dollhouses that are passed down or put in storage are wooden, particularly if they are antique, but plastic dollhouses can also become family heirlooms. Plastic dollhouses have become more and more popular since the 1980s and as some of them can be quite expensive, or are collectable ranges such as Sylvanian Families, many people choose to hang onto them for future generations to enjoy.
Plastic obviously has completely different properties to wood, but many of the principles for storing plastic dollhouses are the same as wood. Mice and rats will happy nibble plastic and it can also warp in extreme heat or become moldy if it’s stored in humid conditions, just like wood can. Plastic dollhouses need to be carefully wrapped in bubble wrap or cotton sheets with some silica sachets in the dollhouse and then placed in a box, along with some more silica gel sachets.
The main threat to plastic dollhouses is exposure to direct sunlight. UV rays can discolour plastic and make it brittle, which will make the dollhouse fragile. White and cream coloured plastic is particularly susceptible to discolouration. If you have a dollhouse in these colours, take extra care to ensure they’re positioned well away from direct sunlight, even if you’re not putting them in storage.
Do I need to insure my dollhouse?
According to the Hiscox UK website, many people under value their dollhouses, “Too many people rely on their existing ‘home and contents’ insurance policy to protect them. Such policies often make exceptions of higher value items or require you to list and value them individually.”
So if you have a valuable dollhouse then it’s worth getting it insured individually to ensure it’s fully covered should the worst happen.
Obviously many family heirlooms are priceless, but storing them properly will help ensure they are kept in pristine condition for future generations.
Finally, although I’ve done a lot of research, I am no expert when it comes to storing dollhouses, so speak to an expert about your individual dollhouse before putting it in long-term storage.