Taking proper care of clothing can prevent the expense of frequently replacing items in your wardrobe. If your closet is too small to hold both your summer and winter clothes or you have delicate fabrics that need a bit of tender, loving care, pack your summer clothes away at the end of the season. Does this Spark an idea?
Preparation
Regardless of the storage option you choose, it is important to prepare the clothes before storing. At the end of the season, go through all of your clothes and separate the ones that you do not plan to use until next summer. If any repairs are needed, such as replacing buttons or stitching up hems, perform those tasks before packing the garments away. Wash and fully dry the summer clothes and fold them neatly. Fold them along the seam lines, or you may have a hard time ironing out the wrinkles next summer.
Storage Options
The most common way to store out-of-season clothes is by putting them in a chest, a storage box or an infrequently used dresser. Place a cedar block in with the clothes to prevent moths from eating holes in the material. If possible, choose a storage container that does not store other items, so the container stays firmly closed and keeps out dust. If often used items are also stored with the summer clothes, put the summer clothes on the bottom and layer with a piece of plastic, such as a drop cloth, so dust stays at a minimum.
Vacuum-sealed bags are another popular choice for storing out-of-season clothing. Brands such as Space Bags are available at home stores, including Bed, Bath and Beyond, Dillards and Macy's. The bags are available in several sizes and can be used to store clothes, coats or blankets. Load the bag with the number of items recommended by the manufacturer and zip closed. Using the hose attachment on your vacuum cleaner, suck out all of air so the bag is basically flat. You can then store in the top shelf of a closet or in a drawer until you need the clothes again. When you are ready to use the clothes, simply unzip the bag, pull the clothes out and shake to fluff. The bags are waterproof and can be used as long as there are no holes in the plastic, which would prevent the air from being sucked out.
If you do not have the storage capacity in your home for off-season clothes, consider off-site storage. Depending on the amount of clothes you intend to store, you may want to check self-storage companies in your area. The units are available in many sizes, and some companies even offer climate controlled units. For clothing, it is better to use a climate-controlled storage unit to prevent humidity or moisture from causing mildew. Store the clothes in plastic, air-tight bins with a cedar block included to prevent pests. This option can be expensive, so many only consider it if they also have other items to store, such as furniture. Confirm with the storage company that you can rent by the month.
Tags: cedar block, next summer, other items, summer clothes, summer clothes
