Tips for packing and storing your clothes as you make the seasonal transition.
As the cold weather continues to creep in those summery dresses hanging in the wardrobe just aren’t going to cut it. This means it’s time to roll out the woollies once more and bundle up for autumn and winter.
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Here are 5 tips on how to pack away your summer gear so it is in the best condition when the sun shines once more:
1. Wash everything
Before you even think about where to store your clothes you must wash everything first. Even if something hasn’t been worn since its last wash but has been sitting there for a while, wash it. This means that everything will be fresh when it goes into storage and will prevent nasty smells and mildew when it comes time to wearing them again.
2. Choosing storage
The amount of storage space you have available will likely determine how you store your clothes. If you have a spare closet you can invest in plastic containers or zipping sealed storage. These will give you the space to neatly fold your clothes and stack them.
If space is an issue vacuum packing can be a saviour for larger items such as bedding and duvets. However, vacuum packing is not advisable for all items as some fabrics need air to keep their shape. The types of clothes that you should avoid vacuum packing are:
- Natural fibres such as wool and fur
- Fluffy items such as big coats
- Leather
While it is not recommended to store natural fibres in this way for long periods, up to six months should be safe.
3. Take everything out
Swapping your seasonal clothes is also a great time to do a clear out. Take everything out of your wardrobes, not just the things you think you won’t wear during winter. If there are clothes that you haven’t worn in a year or more consider donating or recycling them. This will get rid of unnecessary items and give you more space for storage. It will also give you a chance to give your wardrobe a scrub before putting your winter clothes in.
4. Preventing moth damage
Keeping your clothes clean before storage is the best way to ensure against moth damage. Before packing clean all your containers and storage bags. Make sure that all lids and zips are closed fully so nothing can get in. Keep the clothes in areas that are cool, dark, dry and clean.
5. Unpacking
Finally, when next spring rolls around and it’s time to don the summer clothes once more, check for cracks or tears in the storage containers. Especially if there are cracks, we recommend washing the clothes again before wearing them. If not, make sure to give everything that was packed a good airing once they are out of storage.
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