How To Store Extra Clothes

For most of us, when the seasons change, our wardrobe changes as well. We ditch shorts for jeans, and tank tops for sweaters. Instead of leaving these seasonal-specific items in your closet year-round, you can store them to clear up space and keep your storage spaces from getting cluttered. We've put together a number of seasonal clothes storage tips to help keep your closet tidy and clothes safe until it’s time to use them again:

1. Clean Them Now

One of the most important things you can do before you store seasonal clothes is to clean them. Making sure that clothes are clean before you put them in storage ensures that any hidden stains do not have time to set in. Certain stains can even attract pesky bugs that will ruin clothes.

2. Choose the Right Storage

Depending on how you plan on storing your seasonal clothes, you should select appropriate storage solutions. For short-term storage, something as simple as a cardboard box might work, although know that the glue often used in assembling boxes can attract bugs. Plastic storage containers do a better job keeping pests out. Vacuum bags take up very little space but can ruin delicate clothing. For heavier clothing like knits and sweaters, hanging them in storage can actually damage them, as they can become misshapen.

3. Know your Area

Different parts of the country have different pests. In area where moths are common, consider adding mothballs to your storage area, as this will keep them at bay. Be aware that mothballs can be dangerous to pets and small children, and cedar blocks are a great, non-toxic alternative.

4. Let your Clothes Breathe

Good air circulation can help prevent wrinkling and creasing in storage. If you have the space, keep clothes spaced out and in a cool, dry location. Hot locations, like an attic space in the summer, can damage fibers.

Where to Store Seasonal Clothes

Depending on how much storage space you have, you may want to investigate off-site storage locations. A great trick to store seasonal clothing is to put them in suitcases. Seasonal clothing usually correlates with certain trips, so in the winter months, you can keep your swimsuits in a suitcase or your snow equipment during the summer.

If you want to store your clothing off-site, a great way to make the seasonal switch easier is to invest in a rolling garment rack. You can load up all your seasonal clothes out of the closet and onto the rack, and then simply roll the whole thing into a storage location. When it’s time to swap out the attire, you simply swap the seasonal clothes in your closet with what’s on the rack. While your clothes are in storage, you should check them periodically for damage.

Storing seasonal clothes is a great way to free up closet space. Take care of your clothes now to ensure that they’re ready to go the next time you need them!

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