With the warmer months just around the corner, you may be considering packing your winter woolies away, but when it comes to long term clothing storage, there are a few key steps to remember!
Pack only clean clothes
Giving your clothes a quick wash before you pack them helps to reduce the risk of stains setting, food remnants attracting insects and being left with a pile of smelly garments when you finally take them out of storage. Ensure that everything is completely dry before you start packing though – wet clothes can lead to mouldy situations!
Remove stains and food remnants from your clothing before storing. Image Credit: Sarah Joy.
Choose a storage space out of direct sunlight
Like most things, if clothing is left in direct sunlight, it tends to fade. Prevent your clothes from losing the vibrancy of their original colours by making use of a storage space that is out of the sun.
Select your packing materials wisely
The packing materials that you choose can help to determine what state your clothing will be in once you finally take it out of storage. Cardboard boxes, although cheap and readily available, can be penetrated by vermin and can retain moisture, providing the perfect environment for mould and mildew to thrive. Plastic boxes are generally a better choice when it comes to the moisture damage issue, but they do need to either be completely airtight or have some sort of ventilation system to allow air to circulate.
Fold knitwear and t-shirts
Folding garments that are made of stretchy materials, such as jumpers and t-shirts, can help keep them in shape during the period of time you keep them in storage. If stored on a coat hanger for a long period of time, some garments can stretch and leave you with a less than ideal fit.
Fold knitwear and t-shirts to prevent stretching. Image Credit: Frédérique Voisin-Demery.
Pack your clothes smartly
Prevent delicate items from being crushed by ensuring you pack smartly. As with packing for any house move, it’s best to place bulky and heavy items at the bottom of your chosen box and then work your way up to your daintier garments.
Be sure to check on your garments
If you’re storing your clothing for a long period of time, it’s best to check on it from time to time. Regular checks can help you detect and deal with mould, insects and other problems before things too bad or your garments are damaged!
Label your boxes
Although you might not need them right this minute, there might be situations where you need to quickly grab a garment or two out of storage on short notice. Avoid having to trawl through box after box by labelling the contents of each container. While your labelling doesn’t need to list every single item of clothing included, a rough guide may help save precious time!
Need self storage? Speak to our storage experts on 02 8758 0000. We have a range of self storage units to suit your needs and budget. You can also check out our guide to self storage infographic with benefits on why you should choose self storage and tips on how to store goods in storage.
