The majority of people planning to store their clothing live in areas with four seasons. Colder temperatures force us to exchange our warm weather apparel for cold-weather gear. On the other side, as warmer days approach, you want to put those bulky winter items elsewhere. It’s important to prep and store your clothing appropriately, especially seasonal gear. You can damage your clothing by leaving it in storage the wrong way. Below are the five essential tips and for storing seasonal clothing.
1. Wash or Dry Clean Your Clothing
When storing seasonal clothing, you should always clean your items properly. Dry clean the clothing that requires more delicate cleaning. You should even wash clothing that appears clean. This is because any amount of dirt or grim can attract bugs to move in. On that note, don’t use fabric softener on clothing that goes into storage. These articles of clothing must stay strong during this time. While softener makes clothing feel better against the skin, it also weakens them. This will make clothing more susceptible to the elements (like bugs).
2. Pick the Right Storage Containers for Your Clothing
When people prepare for storing seasonal clothing, the first thing they go searching for is cardboard boxes. The issue is, cardboard attracts bugs. Cardboard also attracts moisture and mildew that can ruin your expensive winter sweaters.
The next option is plastic containers. Plastic containers are suitable for short-term storage solutions. However, plastic tends to trap moisture over time. It’s recommended to use an unused suitcase or acid-free garment bag.
3. Storing Seasonal Clothing: Should You Use Hangers?
Thinking of hanging your clothing? While it’s tempting, clothing tends to lose its shape when it’s hung up. Not a great move for long-term storage. Consider folding them instead.
4. Storing Seasonal Clothing: Clean, Dry, Dark, Cool
Keeping your storage area clean is important when storing seasonal clothing. That’s due to the aforementioned pests. It would help if you also kept the area dry. A dry storage area keeps your items from rotting, molding, staining, and smelling. Darkness is good for storage. Light is bad for storage. Your clothing can fade and wrap if kept in a well-lit area. Also, cool places are less likely to attract moister from condensation. Furthermore, insects and other cloth-eating critters don’t like cool.
5. Storing Seasonal Clothing: Check On Your Stuff
“In storage” doesn’t mean “Out of sight, out of mind.” Putting things in a clean, dry, dark, cool room doesn’t mean Father Time has stopped doing his work. Deterioration is a part of the world we live in, no matter how we attempt to slow it down.
When the time has come to remove your clothing from storage, take each article and check it for damage. Then, it’s time to rewash the clothing once more. Before putting away the storage containers or boxes, check them for damage. If you find even a small crack or hole in any of the storage bins, replace them.
The best advantage of storing seasonal clothing in storage is longevity. When it involves high-end clothing brands, it pays, in the end, to treat them as you would any high-end item. If cared for correctly, your clothes could last for decades to come. Following the above steps will add years to your wardrobe.
This article was originally published on 07/09/2018
This article was updated on 10/02/2020