Perhaps you are planning to go traveling, or maybe you even have an array of formal clothing that you want to protect between uses on special occasions. Whatever the reason, these 5 Tips On Storing Clothing Long Term will help you store your clothing properly!
Whatever your reason is, we are going to assume that you are here because the time for storing these clothes long-term is finally upon you!
This process may look as easy as throwing your clothes into a box or an organic cotton bag, as recommended by Hayden Hill, but there is so much more to the process.
If you want to store your clothes for the long haul but do not know how, or are having some trouble doing it, here are our top 5 tips.
5 Tips On Storing Clothing Long Term
Filter Out Unwanted Clothes
Before you even begin to consider packing away your clothes for long term storage, it is time that you start thinking about removing those that you no longer want or need. If you do not do this, you are leaving more work to do later on!
We are going to recommend sorting all of your clothes into these three separate categories:
- Donate: some of your clothing will be valuable to those in need. Consider donating to a local charity shop, a specific local cause, or a national charity.
- Keep: use this category to separate the clothing that you want to keep for future use. If you’re storing to match the changing of the season, think clearly about what clothes you may need when that season rolls around again.
- Sell: if you have quality clothing you simply don’t want to keep, there are plenty of ways to sell. This is especially useful if you have changed your style or have clothes that no longer fit.
Wash and Dry Your Clothing
Make sure to wash and dry your clothes correctly. By doing this, you’re giving your clothes the best chance of remaining in excellent condition for the time when you want to bring them out of long-term storage.
For example, a wine or food stain on a t-shirt will only get worse the longer you leave it. It may even encourage the presence of unwanted pests like rats or mice while the clothes are in storage!
Even if you decide to get your clothes dry cleaned, make sure not to iron them as you will still need to do this once they are brought out of storage. It is not worth the extra effort!
Select the Best Location
When it comes to packing away your clothes for long-term storage, location matters! If you store them in a place that receives lots of direct sunlight and extreme temperatures, it may quickly cause your clothes to fade or even melt, depending on the fabric.
Selecting a location that is cool, dry, and dark will be best as it will keep your clothes away from any potential damage. Coupled with a secure storage container, your clothes will come out of storage looking brand new.
Choose A Secure Storage Method
Never use vac storage bags for long-term storage! They can save you loads of space but keeping clothes made from natural fibers such as silk and wool in these bags can damage the material.
For long-term storage, your best bet is to use a load of plastic boxes or containers. These usually come with airtight lids which means your clothes will remain protected against mildew, mold, and pests regardless of how long they are left in storage.
You may also want to consider an organic cotton hanging bag for your more formal garments such as a dress or a three-piece suit. These bags are durable and secure and are brilliant at protecting clothing against moisture and damage when placed in long-term storage.
Pack Clothing Carefully
Now that you have washed and dried your clothes, and you’ve got your storage boxes lined up, it is now time to start packing them away.
Our top tip for this is to remain consistent with your method, whether that’s rolling your clothes or simply folding them up. Use your chosen method for everything going into storage and also try to ensure that you do not overfill your container as your clothes will need breathing space!
You should also aim to place heavier clothing items toward the bottom of your chosen container (and lighter ones on top) to prevent clothes from losing their original shape.
5 Tips On Storing Clothing Long Term
These are our top tips when storing clothing long-term. To ensure your clothes remain protected and fully intact when you go to take them back out in the future, make sure you are thorough when preparing them to go into storage!
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