Every time the seasons change, closets seem to burst at the seams, with winter coats hogging space while summer tees get squished. And it’s even worse if you’re living in a spot where the weather goes through four seasons in a year.
As tempting as that extra space in your attic, basement or garage looks, an even better fix would be to chuck seasonal clothing in a climate-controlled self-storage unit and forget about it for a few months. That’s because all those areas around your home can be prone to extremes in temps and humidity, which can easily turn textiles into a mold fest.
Whichever way you go, there’s a game plan for everything. In this case, it consists of proper cleaning, clever packing and smart organizing. Ready? Let’s see how to safely stash out of sight the stuff you won’t need until the season changes.
Steps To Take Before Storing Clothing
Before anything else, make sure your clothes are clean. Why? Because pre-washing or dry-cleaning is your best defense against stains and odors turning into permanent guests. Those little spills or faint smells might not be noticeable now, but over a few months? They can turn into a real mess. So, toss that seasonal clothing in the wash or drop it off at the dry cleaner, ensure everything is dry before storage and use moisture absorbers.
Next up, packing — should you fold or should you hang them? Not all clothes are created equal, so here’s how you can quickly decide on the right packing method:
- Fold sweaters, T-shirts and jeans. They can handle the bend, plus folding saves space. Instead of flat-folding, try the army roll for a wrinkle-free experience.
- Keep suits, dresses and blouses on hangers and in wardrobe boxes to avoid wrinkles and maintain their shape. Use zip up garment bags for extra protection, especially for wool or silk pieces.
Seasonal Clothing Containers
Choosing the right container can make a big difference and cardboard boxes are completely off the table. Your main choices here are breathable storage bins, wardrobe boxes and vacuum seal bags. But wait, there’s more:
| Container Type | Best For | What to Look For |
| Breathable storage bags | General clothing storage | Collapsible, with a transparent window for visibility. The breathable fabric, often with added mesh for ventilation, helps prevent moisture buildup. |
| Stackable plastic bins | Maximizing vertical space | Secure latching lids protect against moisture and pests. Opt for dark-colored bins to prevent fading. |
| Underbed bags | Utilizing under-bed space | Slides under most standard beds; clear tops for easy visibility; less protective but space efficient. |
| Underbed bins with wheels | Easy access under beds | Hinged lids and wheels for easy movement; more durable and protective. |
| Wardrobe boxes | Hanging garments | They mimic a closet and protect your clothes from getting squished. Avoid wire hangers; wooden or padded ones offer better support. |
| Vacuum bags | Bulky items, like winter coats | A smart choice for tight spaces, they are space-saving, airtight and waterproof. They can also be used for guest bedding. |
| Drawer organizers | Underwear and accessories | Various compartment sizes, ideal for organizing small items within drawers or on shelves. |
Pro tip: A quick once-over with a lint roller can catch all those pesky crumbs, hairs and dust before you pack.
Organization Is Key When Storing Clothing
Before you even start packing away seasonal clothing, it’s smart to sort things out in a quick decluttering session. Toss out what you haven’t worn in a year by donating the good stuff and turning those pieces beyond repair into rags.
Once you’ve narrowed down your keepers, group them by season and activity and keep them findable by clearly labeling your container. For instance, you could have separate stacks for winter sweaters, workwear, outdoor gear and those chill-at-home outfits.
Not sure how to store clothes in a storage unit as efficiently as possible? Just stack boxes and bins strategically. Seasonal wear that you’ll dip into sooner rather than later, like those perfect spring/fall jackets, should be on top or at the front of your storage area, where you can grab them easily.
When it’s time to switch from summer to winter wardrobes, do it all at once. Pack up this season’s gear as you unpack the next to keep your storage rotation smooth and sensible.
Pro tip: Keep a detailed list of what’s stored where — it helps prevent buying duplicates.
A Clothing Storage Unit Sure Comes in Handy
Under-the-bed storage is great for a lot of things that you need to access frequently. Seasonal clothing doesn’t really qualify as it would just take away valuable space for months on end. So, unless your attic, basement or garage are properly insulated and with enough room to spare, storing clothing between seasons calls for renting a storage unit.
How to choose a clothing storage unit
It all starts by picking a convenient location, with top-notch security features, climate control and just the right unit size for your needs.
- Climate-controlled units are a must to prevent mold and mildew, especially in humid areas. These units protect fabrics and keep your clothes fresh by maintaining constant temperature and humidity levels.
- There’s no point paying for more than you use, but cramming winter clothes for a family of four into a 5×5 unit isn’t a good idea either. This clothing storage unit is perfect for smaller wardrobes — for larger collections or bulkier items, consider renting a 5×10 one. That way you will actually have room to move around and find the items you want when you need them.
- Security-wise, look for a storage facility with digital surveillance cameras and gated access.
- Choose a clothing storage unit that’s convenient for you to access, but balance that with the price at all times. After all, you will want to switch out clothes with the seasons — roughly every 3-6 months, depending on your climate — not daily.
How To Store Clothes Longer
Before packing clothes away for the season, fix any missing buttons, broken zippers or small tears. With everything in order, it’s now time to keep things fresh and ready to wear whenever you need to.
- Swap out those stinky mothballs for natural alternatives. Our suggestion: Cedar chips or lavender sachets. For gowns and coats stored on hangers, you can find sets of red cedar rings that you can reuse year after year by reviving them with some light sanding and a spritz of cedar oil.
- Storing clothing for more than a season? Prevent musty smells or moisture buildup by airing out your clothes and the containers they’re in about once a year.
- Give your seasonal clothing a quick refresh with a fabric spray when you take it out of storage. While typically scented, fabric refresher sprays can also come scent-free and you can make your spray at home with some fabric softener, water and either baking soda or rubbing alcohol.
Pro tip: Don’t store containers directly on the floor, especially in areas that might be prone to flooding. Elevate them with a wooden pallet or use a shelving unit.
Storing Clothing Made Easy
Wash, dry, mend and sort your seasonal clothing, pack it up just right in a sturdy container or breathable fabric case, label everything, write it down in an inventory and stash it safely in a climate-controlled storage unit that’s just the right size.
Now you can keep your clothes in check no matter the season.
