The time for fluffy jackets and sweaters is falling behind us now that spring has started, which means it’s time to store your out-of-season clothes.
But that requires a lot more attention than people think. If you just put everything in cardboard boxes and keep it somewhere dark for 6 months, a lot of your favorite pieces can get ruined in the process.
Let’s break down everything that goes into storing seasonal clothes so that you can do this efficiently and correctly!
Clean everything first
It might seem like common sense but many forget about this crucial step. If any of your winter clothing is stained or dirty, it will be a million times harder to clean them months from now – some may even be ruined for good.
Go through everything carefully and clean them well before storing them away. Special attention to stains in particular, because if those are not removed now, they may be sticking around forever.
It’s no use learning how to store seasonal clothes if they’re not clean first!
Learn how to store properly
There’s a lot of debate on how to store your seasonal clothing, and truthfully, this is one of the most important topics – which is why it will be one of the longest.
So let’s talk about seasonal clothes storage:
Cardboard boxes should be avoided in general, because they retain a lot of moisture and are prone to molding, which will inevitably affect your clothing.
Plastic containers are much better in this regard. The containers are well-sealed and don’t attract many problems by themselves
However, even plastic containers can store moisture and lead to the same issues, which is why they should be stored in a dry place (we’ll talk more about choosing the right place later). Your clothes should be properly dry before hitting the storage.
Linen and cotton containers are excellent options. They aren’t air-tight, which helps in giving your clothes room to breathe while still protecting them.
Finally, there’s vacuum sealing, which is useful for saving a lot of space but isn’t ideal for certain kinds of clothing. Namely, anything puffy like coats, sweaters, leather jackets, and towels should not be vacuum-sealed, as this can ruin the fabric.
Generally speaking, cotton, spandex, and polyester clothing can be vacuum sealed with minimal issues. But keep in mind that this method is used for saving space, thus, if space isn’t a problem for you, you don’t have to take any chances.
Know what to hang and what to fold
There’s an easy-to-follow rule when it comes to what you should or shouldn’t hang: typically, avoid hanging heavy clothing.
Most of them can lose their shape or even stretch and rip when left hanging for long periods of time. Very light clothing can be hung for way longer before causing any issues, but even then, checking on them is recommended.
Try to instead fold these heavy items and keep them on the bottom of containers so that they don’t “crush the lighter ones.
Learn how to fold your clothes perfectly!
Check-in regularly
Even when you take all the precautions, it’s still important to check in on your stored clothing every three months to make sure they are safe and sound.
Mainly you want to check if there are no signs of excessive moisture, usually signaled by mold and mildew in your containers, as well as the presence of bugs like moths – they love to find your clothes and chew at them.
To make sure you don’t forget, set a reminder on your calendar on your phone!
Choose the right place
You should store your seasonal clothes in a place that’s dark, cool, and dry. That’s the holy trinity that should be respected.
Dark because sunlight greatly affects your clothes and we don’t want this constant shift in temperature. Cool because heat sources can attract bugs and influence how your clothes are sitting, especially if they’re hung. And dry because, as mentioned before, moisture tends to create mold and mildew, as well as attract pests.
By the way, to prevent moths, you can use lavender sachets instead of mothballs.
Mothballs are effective, but they’re highly toxic, meaning that the substance will latch onto your clothes as well. Moths don’t like the scent of lavender, and it’s a much more natural aroma to have around your clothes.
Don’t forget that you can always get free quotes from house cleaners in your area, which can really help you get organized for the season!
MORE FROM HOMEYOU
Love Laundry Day With These Laundry Room Remodeling Ideas
5 Tips That Will Make Organizing The Closet Much Easier
7 Space-Saving Bedrooms Ideas That Will Make Your Life Easier