How to Safely Store Your Clothes
Did you know that an overstuffed closet can actually harm some fabrics, leading to wrinkles and pilling? Not to mention, overstuffing your drawers and shelves makes it extra challenging to stay organized and see what clothes you do or don’t have.
Fortunately, giving your clothes some room to breathe by storing away your out-of-season wardrobe is the key to keeping them safe and sound. Otherwise, they can fall victim to hungry pests, permanent stains, and iron-proof wrinkles.
How to Store Clothes
These best practices can help ensure your clothing remains in its best form for years to come.
Avoid hangers: Hangers can stretch clothing at the shoulders, especially knit fabrics such as cashmere and wool. If you need to hang an item, ditch wire or plastic hangers that items can easily slip and slide off of and opt for a thin, velvet alternative.
Fold or roll your clothes: To prevent wrinkles and permanent crease lines, always neatly fold or roll your clothes before storing them away. It’s also helpful to sort and fold your clothes by type into designated piles or boxes.
Say goodbye to cardboard boxes: Cardboard is acidic and contains an additive that actually attracts pests and insects. It’s also not waterproof and can absorb smell, leading to unpleasant odors that seep into the fabric.
Use plastic storage containers with lids: Or, better yet, suitcases, if you won’t need to dump them out for traveling. This ensures a sealed, protected vessel for your clothing to keep out pests, odor, and moisture.
Label containers: There’s nothing worse than shuffling through countless containers to find what you need, so always label your boxes so you can easily find and access your clothes.
Don’t overstuff: Decluttering before you store away is ideal, but avoid cramming your clothes into boxes. Too much pressure can alter the fabric and shape, so leave some wiggle room for your clothes to breathe.
Store in climate-controlled areas: Cold, damp areas can lead to mildew and dust, so always store your clothes beneath the staircase, under the bed, or in climate-controlled storage closets.
Steer clear of the attic or basement: Attics and basements are known for humidity, which can attract mold, mildew, and insects, so again, you’re better off storing containers somewhere inside the house.
Outsource your storage: If you’re pressed for space, some dry cleaners offer garment storage for out-of-season items as a minimally priced or free service. Simply bring your items to be cleaned from all dirt, food particles, and stains that would attract insects, and let your dry cleaner take them from there. The garments are typically stored in a climate-controlled vault that protects against fires, burglary, floods, mildew, and insects.
Learn how to declutter your home and donate unwanted goods. Happy sorting!
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