Care & maintenance
Storing a reformer long term
The short answer
For storage beyond a few weeks, release all spring tension, cover the machine to keep dust off the rails, and store it somewhere dry and temperature-stable. Move the carriage occasionally to prevent flat spots developing on the wheels.
Release the springs
Springs left under tension for months take a permanent set, sitting longer at rest and delivering less resistance afterwards. Detaching them at the carriage end costs a minute and prevents it entirely.
It also removes continuous load from the frame anchor points, which matters over a long period.
Prevent wheel flat spots
A carriage sitting in one position for months puts constant load on the same point of each wheel, and polyurethane takes a set. The result is a regular tick when the machine is used again.
Rolling the carriage through its travel every few weeks avoids it. If the machine is stored upright on end, the wheels are unloaded and this is not an issue.
- Detach all springs at the carriage end
- Cover to keep dust off the rails
- Store dry and temperature-stable, not a damp garage
- Roll the carriage occasionally, or store upright
- Keep out of direct sunlight — UV degrades upholstery
Environment matters more than duration
Six months in a dry, stable room does nothing to a reformer. Six months in a damp, unheated garage corrodes springs and hardware and can move a hardwood frame.
If the only available space is a garage, prioritize a dehumidifier over any other precaution.
Bringing it back into use
Clean the rails, check every bolt, spin-test the wheels, and inspect the springs and ropes before the first session. Storage does not usually cause problems, but it is a natural moment to catch anything that developed before it went away.
Run the carriage through its travel a few times unloaded before adding springs.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I remove the springs when storing a reformer?
- Yes. Springs left under tension for months take a permanent set and deliver less resistance afterwards.
- Can I store a reformer in a garage?
- Only if it stays dry. Damp corrodes springs and hardware and can move a hardwood frame. A dehumidifier is the single most useful precaution.
- Do reformer wheels develop flat spots in storage?
- They can, if the carriage sits in one position for months. Roll it occasionally, or store the machine upright so the wheels are unloaded.
- What should I check before using a stored reformer?
- Clean the rails, check all bolts, spin-test the wheels, and inspect springs and ropes. Run the carriage unloaded a few times before adding springs.