5 Tips in Storing Winter Clothes

As soon as the winter ends and springtime comes, it is time to pack away all your winter clothes. Proper storing of your winter clothes is important to avoid wear and tear and to preserve the quality of clothes.

Here are some simple tips that you can observe in storing winter clothes:

1. Clean the clothes thoroughly before storing. Make sure that the clothes you are storing are completely free from stains and food particles which can set if not removed after a few months of storing. Additionally, insects might crawl on dirty clothes when stored. To clean clothes, you just have to wash them as you normally would do but do spot check for stains so you can deal with them immediately.

2. When storing, you can either hang the clothes or fold them. Use hangers to hang pants and suits to keep them in shape then place them inside a canvass bag for storing. Avoid using thin plastic bags you normally get from dry cleaners because they can stick to the clothes and promote molds and mildew. Be careful also about hanging sweaters especially the knitted ones and other items that can lose their shape when hanged for a long time. Instead, just fold them for storing.

You can also use plastic containers or a suitcase to store clothes. But be sure to clean them before storing the clothes. If stacking clothes in a container or suitcase, put the heaviest items at the bottom and the lightest ones on top to allow air to circulate.

Below is a guide on how each type of garment should be stored:

• Leather and Suede – cover with washed muslin then fold flat when storing
• Linen – cover with washed muslin or cloth then roll for storing to avoid creases
• Quilts – fold and store flat in a dry and well-ventilated place
• Rayon – fold and store flat or hang with a pad (cloth or tissue paper) to avoid marks
• Silk – fold and store flat or hang using a padded hanger
• Velvet – hand on a padded hanger
• Wool – use paper for padding then fold and store flat

3. Storage area should be cool, dry, clean, and dark. To protect clothing from wear and tear and the growth of mold or mildew, be sure that your storage place has all these characteristics. Moist and wet storage is a breeding ground for mold and mildew while a storage that is exposed to direct sunlight can cause the clothes to fade.

4. Do not use mothballs. Mothballs are normally placed on stored clothes to expel insects especially cockroaches. But mothballs are carcinogenic and poisonous. Children and pets may accidentally play with them or worst, may eat them which can be deadly.

5. Check your storage place from time to time. Don’t leave your clothes into oblivion after storing them. Check on them from time to time to make sure there are no problems. Inspect hanged clothes if they have misshapen. And make sure that the storage place is the same as you have left them: cool, dry, clean, and dark.

By observing these tips, you can efficiently preserve your winter clothes until the next winter.