Every time the seasons change, closets seem to burst at the seams, with winter coats hogging space while summer tees get squished. And it’s even worse if you’re living in a spot where the weather goes through four seasons in a year.As tempting as that extra space in your attic, basement or garage looks, an even better fix would be to chuck seasonal clothing in a climate-controlled self-storage unit and forget about it for a few months. That’s because all those areas around your home can be prone to extremes in temps and humidity, which can easily turn textiles into a mold fest.Whichever way you go, there’s a game plan for everything. In this case, it consists of proper cleaning, clever packing and smart organizing. Ready? Let’s see how to safely stash out of sight the stuff you won’t need until the season changes.
Steps To Take Before Storing Clothing
📷Before anything else, make sure your clothes are clean. Why? Because pre-washing or dry-cleaning is your best defense against stains and odors turning into permanent guests. Those little spills or faint smells might not be noticeable now, but over a few months? They can turn into a real mess. So, toss that seasonal clothing in the wash or drop it off at the dry cleaner, ensure everything is dry before storage and use moisture absorbers.Next up, packing — should you fold or should you hang them? Not all clothes are created equal, so here’s how you can quickly decide on the right packing method:
Fold sweaters, T-shirts and jeans. They can handle the bend, plus folding saves space. Instead of flat-folding, try the army roll for a wrinkle-free experience.
Keep suits, dresses and blouses on hangers and in wardrobe boxes to avoid wrinkles and maintain their shape. Use zip up garment bags for extra protection, especially for wool or silk pieces.
Seasonal Clothing Containers
Choosing the right container can make a big difference and cardboard boxes are completely off the table. Your main choices here are ...
Andreea Draguleasa
October 30th, 2024