Storing clothes is a great way to declutter, improve closet organization, and preserve special garments for the future. Whether you’re putting away seasonal clothing, storing baby clothes for your next child, or saving sentimental pieces for the long haul, it’s crucial to follow the right steps so your items stay in good condition. Learn how to store clothes long term below!
Step One: Declutter Clothes Before Storing
Take time to declutter your wardrobe to avoid storing items you don’t need—focus on storing items in good condition you’ll actually wear again or want for sentimental reasons. For example, if you’re storing seasonal or hand-me-down clothing, try limiting yourself to a few high-quality items in each size and season, letting go of any extras. Go through items one by one after decluttering to determine which items to keep, toss, sell, or donate, keeping the size of your storage space in mind. If there are clothes with stains, tears, odors, or other damage, consider getting rid of them, as stains can become more permanent and odors can transfer to your other pieces in long-term clothes storage.
Step Two: Create an Inventory List
As you prepare for storing clothes long term, create an inventory list. This way, you can track what clothes are in storage, including seasonal items, so you don’t accidentally buy the same clothes again. An inventory list also helps you track where each item is located, making it easier to find each piece when you need it.
For every item of clothing you store, be sure to include the following information on your clothing inventory list:
- The type of garment
- A brief description, including its color and size
- Where the item is stored
Step Three: Clean Your Garments
It’s crucial to prepare your garments before diving into any long-term clothes storage ideas, and simply tossing items into a bin isn’t enough to preserve clothes—a few extra steps now will pay off later. First, even if your clothes appear clean, wash them thoroughly, as lingering dirt, oils, odors, and unseen stains can attract pests or become permanent over time. Then, ensure they’re completely dry before packing to prevent mildew, which creates unpleasant odors. Properly cleaning each item before long-term clothing storage will help keep your garments fresh and ready to wear when you retrieve them.
Step Four: Find a Cool, Dry Storage Environment
Choosing an appropriate storage space is an essential part of how to store clothes for long-term use, and ensuring your storage space is cool, dry, dark, and has consistent temperatures helps ensure successful clothes preservation. For example, attics and garages typically have unstable temperatures that can damage textiles. But spaces like storage rooms can be ideal if they offer good airflow and don’t receive direct sunlight, which can protect fabrics from fading, mildew, and other damage. Similarly, self storage units provide an affordable, convenient way to preserve your clothes. Depending on how many clothes you have, a small self storage unit or locker could do the trick. And for any delicate or temperature-sensitive clothing items, climate-controlled storage can offer even better protection.
Step Five: Choose Appropriate Clothing Storage Containers
Using the right storage container is as important as finding a good storage space, especially since some containers can be harmful. For example, wire hangers won’t maintain the shape of your garments during long-term clothes storage, and cardboard boxes offer limited moisture control, which can lead to damaged clothes. And while vacuum-sealed bags may save you space, long-term compaction can cause permanent creasing. Instead, it’s best to use non-airtight, lidded plastic containers for storing your clothes. While airtight containers can trap moisture and odors, storage bins allow your clothes’ fine fibers to breathe while also protecting them against pests and compaction. Storing delicate or vintage clothing? Consider using acid-free archival boxes for these special items for additional protection.
Step Six: Pack Clothing with Care
When it comes to how to preserve clothing, the way you pack your clothes can make all the difference. For easy access, try organizing by type or season, packing like-items together. The best way to store clothes long term is to roll your garments rather than fold them, as this can reduce wrinkles and hard crease lines. When storing clothing in plastic bins, put heavier items in first—such as leather or denim jackets—to help protect more delicate clothing from unnecessary pressure. Separating each item with a piece of acid-free tissue paper can help protect your fabrics from discoloration. Just remember to avoid overfilling your containers so your items have plenty of room to breathe. Once a bin is full, be sure to label it with its contents so your items are easy to locate when it comes time to take them out of storage. For extra protection, consider using silica gel packets to help prevent moisture and mildew growth, and place cedar blocks in your containers to keep your items fresh and repel pests.
Step Seven: Check On Your Clothes Periodically
To maintain your garments in long-term clothing storage, it’s important to give them a little attention each year. Textiles need to breathe, so make an effort to take your clothes out of their containers annually and let them air out for a few hours. Hanging clothes briefly can give them a much-needed refresh. This is also a great time to inspect and address your clothes for any signs of pests, moisture, or mold. When returning your clothes to storage, a great tip is to unfold and roll them again in a different way to help prevent permanent creases, which can weaken fabrics over time. These tasks may seem simple, but yearly maintenance is key to preserving clothes and will help keep your garments in great condition for years to come!
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Need a safe environment to store your clothes long term? Extra Space Storage has climate-controlled storage units across the U.S. to help. Find a self storage facility near you!
