Everything you need to know about storing clothes, from winter woollens to shoes, shirts, pants, baby clothes and more.
It’s important to know the best way to store all kinds of clothes to keep them in great condition.
Storing clothes correctly preserves the materials, extends their lifespan and ensures garments stay fragrant and wrinkle-free.
General tips for packing and storing clothes
Whether storing a seasonal wardrobe or packing away a bridal trousseau for the next generation, there are general dos and don’ts relating to storage.
- Avoid vacuum-sealing garments. It may save storage space but materials need to breathe. Clothing should be loosely packed in acid-free cardboard boxes.
- Pack the clothes in layers. Insert old pillow cases or acid-free tissue paper between the layers as added protection.
- Instead of using moth balls as pest control, pop a few lavender sachets into each box. It’s an eco-friendly and cost-effective method of keeping insects away. Moth traps are a more expensive solution that are free of scents and insecticides.
- When storing clothes on a rack, use covered hangers or plastic hangers with rounded edges. Cover the rack with an old cotton or linen sheet to protect the garments from dust and pests.
- Wardrobe boxes with built-in racks are affordable alternatives that are durable and sealable.
Tips for storing winter clothes
Fleece, wool, down and fur require special care in storage. Here are a few helpful tips relating to the winter woollies.
Winter coats
Always store winter coats on wooden hangers in moth-proof garment bags.
Store the coats in a dry, ventilated area away from direct sunlight.
Woollen clothing
Woollen clothing attracts moths and is best stored in heavy-duty, plastic storage boxes with clip-locking lids.
Remember to leave space in each box for the materials to breathe.
Add sachets of lavender or lemon peel as pest repellent and to keep the garments smelling fresh.
Boots
Storing winter boots involves cleaning, conditioning and proper shape-retention measures.
Ankle boots require different storage techniques to knee-high boots.
How to store shoes
One way to store shoes is in a cardboard box with holes poked in the sides for ventilation.
But there are plenty of creative ways to store shoes.
The trick is to keep them out of the way but with a free flow of air circulating.
Tips for storing shirts
Dress shirts are best stored buttoned-up and properly folded to prevent wrinkles.
Place the shirt face down on a hard surface with the sleeves at each side.
Fold the sleeves, and then each side of the shirt, towards the middle.
Fold the shirt in half and fold again.
T-shirts can be tightly rolled and stored upright or stuffed into the nooks and crannies of partially filled boxes.
Storing jeans and other pants
A similar folding technique used for T-shirts can be applied to jeans and other pants.
Simply fold each pair in half, bring the hem of the pants up the waistband, and fold again.
Store the pants like a file with the fold facing upwards.
Organising and storing baby clothes
When storing baby clothes, remove metal buttons to avoid rust marks.
Wrap each item in tissue paper. Stuff bonnets and sleeves with tissue to prevent creasing.
Organise the garments by size and store in labelled boxes.
Insert a few lavender sachets in each box as insect repellent.
Self-storage for clothing
Self-storage is a secure and affordable way of storing clothes.
At XtraSpace, we offer clean, dry and secure self-storage units that are ideal for storing clothes over the short- and long-term.
Call XtraSpace on 01 09 777 777 now to secure a suitably sized self-storage unit for your seasonal wardrobe.
Contact us for more information or browse to find a branch near you.