Decluttering your child’s room and wondering what to do with their collection of just-too-small clothes? Whether you plan to have more kids or know someone with growing children of their own, it’s helpful to store clothes away so you can hand them down or out to new families. Here’s your guide to storing and organizing children’s hand-me-downs!

Grab Your Supplies

To organize hand-me-down clothes most effectively, you’ll need a few items. Some supplies for organizing handed-down clothes include:

• Totes/containers: Consider having different-sized containers for particular areas like drawers or shelves.
• Dividers/file folders: Use cut-up file folders to divide items, or use sheets of plastic that can be easily labeled with dry-erase markers.
• A pen, paper, & tracking list: Document how many hand-me-downs are stored—you could write it down on paper or in a digital spreadsheet.
• Folding board: Speed up the process with a folding board—you can even teach your kids how to use it.
• Desiccants & moisture-absorbing packets: Prevent pests and mold growth on stored hand-me-down clothes by placing moisture-absorbing items like cedar blocks or mothballs in your storage boxes.

Sort Through Clothes

Grab all your used baby clothes and used kids clothes and determine which should be stored and which should be kept out for use. Have your kids try on clothes you’re unsure about. Once you know which clothes are being put into storage bins, decide how you want to organize or categorize them. Start by putting clothes into piles separated by size, season/weather, type of clothing, or all three. As you organize, note on your clothing list which items will be stored so you can document how many of a certain type of clothing you have.

Fold the Clothes

There is no one best way to fold clothes, so you can prioritize your preference. If you don’t mind wrinkles or want to finish the organizing process faster, it is totally okay to skip folding baby clothes and just place them in appropriately-labeled boxes. However, if you want to prevent wrinkles and save space, some form of folding is best. One quicker, less labor-intensive option is using a folding board or rolling clothes before putting them in boxes. For a more attractive, functional option, try the KonMari method for organization. Also known as file folding, this method allows you to organize pieces of clothing as if they were files that can stand up vertically. When you use this method of folding clothes, you can fit more items into a box, help prevent wrinkles, and distinguish between items more easily.

Box Up & Store Hand-Me-Downs

Once folded, use file folder pieces or other items to create separate hand-me-down categories in your storage box. Organize and place clothes in the storage container, then label the categories on the outside. After packing, pick a storage location. Consider how long they might be in storage, how accessible you want them to be, and climate. Try using stackable storage bins or open totes if storing in a closet. Opt for moisture-proof storage containers with silica packets, cedar blocks, or other desiccants inside to protect the clothes’ quality if storing in the basement or attic. Mount DIY storage shelves to help keep your storage spaces organized and items easily accessible. Other options for kids clothes or baby clothes storage include using dresser drawer organizers, compact storage boxes that fit under a bed, or other hidden storage solutions.

Rent a Storage Space

If you don’t have enough storage space at home, consider getting a storage unit for your hand-me-downs. A climate-controlled storage unit is the most ideal solution, as clothes need a stable environment to stay in good condition. Climate-controlled storage units typically stay between 55 and 80 degrees year-round, which can help prevent damage caused by humidity, mold, and mildew. By renting a storage unit for your hand-me-down clothes, you can periodically switch clothes in and out to keep your storage spaces at home decluttered.

End the Cycle

When you’re pretty certain you won’t have any more kids and all your children have outgrown the hand-me-downs, it’s time to decide what to do next. The easiest solution is to give them to families you know who could use children’s clothes. If no one comes to mind, ask around—churches, shelters, or neighbors may be willing to take gently-used, secondhand kids’ clothing off your hands. Check out online community groups or donate them to a thrift store. At this point, families may realize some clothing items are too meaningful to get rid of. An easy way to declutter sentimental items like these is to repurpose hand-me-downs while creating a keepsake—like T-shirt quilts, T-shirt blankets, or memory quilts. Or utilize your sewing supplies and upcycle your hand-me-downs by reusing the fabric to make new clothing, doll clothing, or accessories like tote bags or purses—and repurpose stained or unwanted t-shirts as cleaning cloths or take them to a textile recycling center.

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Need somewhere to store hand-me-downs for the next little one to enter your life? Extra Space Storage has facilities throughout the U.S. that can help. Find self storage near you!