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Now that spring is here, you can finally lose the heavy and bulky winter clothes. But what do you do with them? The truth is that many people don’t have enough room in their homes to store all of these items. Particularly since they take up a lot of space. Plus, even if you are lucky enough to have storage space, simply shoving winter clothes into the back of your wardrobe won’t do the trick. You will end up damaging them, and you won’t be able to wear them again next winter. So, here are six tips for storing winter clothes safely.

 

No. 1 Start by decluttering your wardrobe

Before storing winter clothes safely, you have to decide what is worth storing. It’s amazing how many clothing items we keep thinking that one day we’ll wear. And the same goes for those items that we haven’t worn in ages but can’t bring ourselves to give up. Well, it’s time for a wardrobe refresh.

Closely analyze all your winter clothes. If they are irreparably damaged, throw them away. If you haven’t worn them for the last two winters, donate them. These items will only take up storage space, and you can be sure that you’ll never wear them again.

 

No. 2 Storing winter clothes safely entails cleaning them properly

After selecting all the winter clothes you want to keep, you have to clean them properly. Otherwise, during long-term storage, any perspiration residue will cause yellow stains. That will become permanent. You should also be aware of the fact that any lotion or oil residue will attract moths and other insects that damage clothes.

Furthermore, properly cleaning your winter clothes will prevent bad odors from spreading among them. So make sure that you wash or dry clean everything. And be careful with winter coats, since they can easily get damaged in the washing machine. Therefore, you might want to consider dry cleaning them.

A rope with colorful clothespins hanging on it.

To ensure you’re storing winter clothes safely, wash or dry clean them beforehand.

 

No. 3 Repair clothes

Removing stains and cleaning winter clothes properly is not enough. You should also look for any damage and try to repair it. Of course, if an item is not worth mending or can’t be repaired, you should throw it away. However, things like replacing a broken zipper or sewing a button are feasible. And if you don’t have any sewing skills, you can always go to a sewist. Plus, you can remove the pilling with a razor or a lint remover when it comes to your favorite sweater.

A pile of buttons, five spools of thread, and a safety pin.

Before storing winter clothes safely, repair any damages.

 

No. 4 Storing winter clothes safely requires proper packing

Once you’ve finished cleaning and repairing your winter clothes, it’s time to pack them. Firstly, you should pair them by type and material. Secondly, you should fold them neatly. And only afterward do you begin packing them. Here are some ideas on how to properly pack winter clothes:

  • Winter coats and jackets are very bulky, so they take up the most space. Therefore, consider using vacuum seal bags if you don’t have enough storage space. In general, if air can’t circulate between clothes, they can develop mold. However, this is not the case with vacuum seal bags. This is because they remove all the air and moisture. So, your clothing items will be safe. Nevertheless, avoid this with fur and down coats because compression can damage them.
  • Sweaters and various wool items should be packed into suitcases or plastic bins. The main reason for this is that they keep out moisture and dust and prevent pests from getting in. Moreover, they can be stacked one on top of the other without getting damaged, which will save up space. In any case, you should avoid cardboard boxes because they don’t meet any of these criteria.
Multiple old suitcases stacked one on top of the other.

For storing winter clothes safely you can use old suitcases since they are sturdy and keep pests out.

 

No. 5 Find the right spot

The main problem with storing winter clothes safely is finding the right spot. The storage space should not be exposed to extreme temperatures, sunlight, or humidity. Otherwise, your clothes will get damaged. And even though people often opt for attics, garages, and basements, this is not always the best solution. These places are usually humid and prone to shifts in temperature.

One option is to find some hiding places around the house. While it’s not ideal, it can work. First, make sure that all the winter clothes are properly packed into vacuum seal bags, plastic bins, or suitcases. Then, you can hide them under the bed or stack them behind the sofa and cover them with a plank of wood that can serve as a shelf or console table. Another good trick is to hide them in vintage trunks that you can use as decorative items.

The other option is to rent some storage. This way, you’ll have more space in your home, and it won’t seem cluttered. So, look for a safe facility in the area that provides the right storage conditions. This will ease up the entire process. Plus, you can use it to store other belongings as well safely.

 

No. 6 Keep pests and moisture out

Storing winter clothes safely can be very problematic because of pests and moisture. Moths and other insects manage to eat through cardboard boxes and other soft materials to get to your clothes. And once they do, they damage them irreparably. At the same time, moisture causes your clothes to develop mold. Here’s what you can do:

  • Clean the storage area regularly—It doesn’t matter if you decide to store your winter clothes in your home or a storage unit, you still have to make sure it’s clean. This way, you will prevent the accumulation of crumbs or other things that will attract pests
  • Use moisture absorbers to make sure the area stays dry
  • Use various moth repellants—While mothballs are very efficient, few people can stand their smell. In this case, you can use various cedar or lavender-based items. Some examples include cloth sachets, cedar-lined chests, cedar rings, etc.

Conclusion

Storing winter clothes safely can be tricky, particularly since they are so bulky. Besides, if you still want to wear them next winter, you have to ensure they don’t get damaged. Some of the biggest issues you’ll face are moisture, pests, and lack of storage space. These six tips for storing winter clothes safely will help you tackle these problems.

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Utilization of green, environmentally friendly hydro-carbon based cleaners. We do NOT use the solvent, perchloroethylene, which is both a health and environmental hazard!

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