How often do you see the next season’s fashion ideas online, in magazines, and on TV and think to yourself, “I used to wear that style back in the day!” Seasonal styles do seem to have a habit of coming back into style, even years later, and many of us are left wondering “why did I donate that piece to charity?” If only we could store older styles, classic pieces, and clothes we just love, in readiness for the seasonal style to reinvent itself.
If you had the foresight to store older clothing, we’ve come up with our top tips and best ways to store clothes:
Launder before storing clothes
If you want to unpack your clothing and have them in the same condition as when you packed them away, it’s essential to launder them before packing them! Washing and Dry Cleaning the items you’ve decided to keep will help ensure the garments stay in good shape while they are packed away. A little preparation goes a long way.
- Wash clothes according to the guidelines on the label even if the item looks clean.
- For clothes that you haven’t worn recently use a clothing steamer to freshen them up.
- Give hats a good brush with a soft tooth clothing brush or comb to remove loose soil and dust.
- Plan an inventory and labeling system so you know where everything is.
Which storage containers?
- Determine the best containers for the items you’re storing.
- Plastic storage bins are an excellent choice for storing clothes. They stack well, allow you to see the contents, and keep moisture and bugs out. Clear bins are best kept out of direct sunlight, to avoid fading.
- Cardboard hanging boxes are a great way to keep coats and longer items; dresses etc, however, any cardboard can attract insects, so these should only be used in indoor storage spaces. Avoid storing clothes in a garage or an area that allows access to vermin. Delicates or wool fabrics should not be stored in cardboard boxes.
- Fabric or canvas bins are another favourite, because the material is breathable.
Vacuum sealed bags save space.
If space is an issue, try using vacuum-sealed bags to shrink wrap certain clothing and then pack it into boxes or bins. Ideally, sort your clothes by season, so it’s easy to unpack when they’re all needed at the same time each year. These are especially good for puffer jackets and down coats etc. Tissue paper is a great way to separate colours too, as well as delicate items. Wrap these individually in tissue paper to avoid any problems with humidity, dust etc.
Folding, hanging, dust, and moths!
- Avoid wire hangers, over time these can damage clothing. Padded, plastic, or wooden hangers are preferred.
- Hanging boxes otherwise known as ‘Port-a-robe’ boxes and clothing racks can be covered with breathable fabric such as cotton or linen to help protect your clothes from dust and pests, whilst also allowing air circulation.
- Use cedar oil blocks to deter moths – mothballs leave a nasty smell!
- Using tissue paper in-between each piece of clothing will separate and protect the fabrics.
- Fold particular clothing using a different approach each time you repack them to ensure creases don’t set within the fabric and degrade it.
Find the best place to store.
- Cool, dark, and dry and just some of the main factors to think about when searching for the right space for storing clothing and textiles.
- Easy access will be needed so you can get to your items as each season rolls in. You don’t want to unpack the whole storage unit just so you can get to your clothes!
- Make sure the storage unit or container is secure. Clothing, furniture, and personal items can be expensive to replace, so check out the security systems before you decide.
Where to find packing products?
Big Box Self Storage on the Gold Coast offers all the packing products you need to ensure your items stay clean from dust and vermin. Check out our Box Shop today and reach out if you need more help.