Storing Clothing: Tips for Keeping Your Clothes in Good Shape
As the seasons change, so do people’s clothing choices. During colder months, people tend to wear heavier clothing like sweaters, coats, hats, and gloves. But as the weather gets warmer, winter clothing items are replaced with lightweight clothing. Everyone should learn properly about storing clothing that is storing your seasonal clothing during the off-season is essential to ensure they stay in good shape. In this article, we have discussed the essential tips for keeping your clothes in good shape season after season. Follow these tips for storing clothing in this season for all your seasonal clothes.
Clean All Seasonal Clothes Before Storing Clothing and Packing
Before packing your seasonal clothing for storage, it’s important to clean them thoroughly. Never store them without washing them. Stains left on clothing will only worsen in storage, and dirty clothes are more likely to attract insects. Follow the cleaning instructions for storing clothing on the garment tags and consider taking items that need to be dry cleaned to a professional cleaner.
Use the Right Storage For Storing Clothing
There are different types of storage containers for storing clothing that you can use to store your seasonal clothing, including plastic storage containers and cardboard boxes. Choose them as you desire or as per your needs and storage capacity space. However, it’s crucial to ensure the boxes are clean to avoid staining and insect infestation. Keep in mind that cardboard boxes are more likely to attract bugs than plastic containers. Moisture trapped in a plastic container can also cause mold and mildew growth on your clothes.
An empty, thoroughly cleaned suitcase is also one of the best containers for clothing maintenance. The suitcases are not a daily used product so you can use them as storage very easily. You can also use classic tote storage bins with lockable lids that keep out moisture for clothing care. Alternatively, you can use under-bed storage bins with zips on them for your storage as well as to save space.
Be Careful With Mothballs in Clothing Storage
According to Catherine Bennett from The Guardian, mothballs can be effective in keeping insects away from storing clothing, but they contain a toxic pesticide that can be harmful to children and pets. A safer alternative is packing your clothes with cedar blocks or in a cedar-lined container. However, it’s important to note that no deterrent is a guarantee that you won’t have bug problems. Always follow the instructions on any chemicals used and store them carefully. It is mandatory for the closet organization as well as wardrobe management. According to the National Pesticide Information Center, mothballs are not intended to be used outdoors. You can check out a video report here from NBC News.
Properly Hang Items
For clothes that are suitable to hang for storage, such as coats, use all the hanging loops to keep the clothing from becoming misshapen. Wrap the clothing in something breathable, such as a fabric garment bag, and make sure there is enough room for air circulation. This will lower the risk of mold and mildew growth while storing clothing and prevent the clothing from creasing.
Don’t Hang Everything
Avoid hanging sweaters or other knit items that can become misshapen from long-term hanging. Carefully fold these items and place them in a storage container. When stacking folded items, start with the heaviest pieces at the bottom and the lightest on top. For storing clothing avoid cramming items into a container, which can cause difficult-to-remove wrinkles during long-term clothing maintenance.
Should Select a Cool, Dark, Clean, and Dry Space
The area where you store your clothing must be clean, cool, dark, and dry to protect your items. Please make sure you clean the area thoroughly before using it for storing clothing. Choose a place that isn’t likely to be exposed to high heat and avoid areas near heating sources. A dark spot will prevent fading, and a dry spot is ideal as wetness can attract insects and cause mold growth.
Check on Your Storage
It is recommended that you check your stored clothing on a regular basis so that you can be sure that there are no issues. However, for seasonal transitions of storing clothing, it is always best to clean all your items before you pull them out for use. Make sure you check your storage containers on a regular basis so that you can be informed beforehand if there is any damage, staining, or even cracks in it.
Use Desiccants to Control Moisture
Moisture can cause mildew and mold to grow on your clothes, so it’s essential to control it during storing clothing. Desiccants are substances that can absorb moisture and keep the air in the storage container dry. You can purchase silica gel packs or make your own desiccant sachets with rice or kitty litter. Place them in the storage container to keep the moisture levels down.
Rotate Your Clothes
Rotating your clothes every six months is an excellent way to keep them in good condition. When the season changes, take out your stored clothes and check them for any damage, stains, or insects. If everything is in good condition, it’s time to put them back into storage. Inspection of storing clothing is always required to keep your seasonal clothes safe. If you find any issues, take care of them before storing the clothes.
Donate Unwanted Clothes
When taking out storing clothing from your storage, you may find some pieces that you no longer want or need. Instead of putting them back into storage, consider donating them to a charity or thrift store. Not only will this free up space in your storage container, but it can also benefit someone else in need.
Vacuum Seal Bags
Vacuum seal bags can be a great option for storing clothing that you won’t need for a long time. These bags work by removing all the air from the bag, which can help keep your clothes in good condition for an extended period. Just make sure that you don’t store your clothes in these bags for too long, as they can create wrinkles that are difficult to remove.
Label Your Storage Containers
Labeling your storage containers is an essential step in organizing and storing clothing for your seasonal clothes. You can use sticky labels or a permanent marker to write the contents of the container. This way, you can easily identify the container you need without having to rummage through them all.
Conclusion
Properly storing your seasonal clothing can help ensure that your clothes remain in good shape for the next season. Cleaning your clothing before packing, using the right storage containers, being careful with mothballs, properly hanging and folding clothes, selecting a clean, cool, dark, and dry space, and checking on your storage regularly are essential steps to take when storing your seasonal clothing. Taking the time to store your seasonal clothing properly can make a big difference when it comes time to unpack for a new season. Follow the above tips for storing seasonal clothing to keep your clothes in good condition during their off-season. With these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy your seasonal clothing for many years to come.