Storage tips for switching out seasonal clothing

October is here, the leaves are falling, and the wind is hinting of the winter to come. In short, now’s the time to switch out that seasonal clothing if you haven’t already. And while it may seem simple to fold up and switch out clothes, there are some helpful tips to ensure your clothes stay in good condition before, during, and after its time in self storage.

 

Begin with cleaning your clothes

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to launder all your summer clothing before placing it in storage. Gather those lighter shirts, blouses, dresses, shorts, and even shoes, and begin cleaning. A thorough cleaning will remove any dirt, body oils, or other contaminants that will stain, breakdown, or otherwise irreparably damage your clothes.

 

Sort your summer clothes

Once you’ve got your clothes clean, you can start sorting them out. This is also a good time to take inventory of the articles you’re storing on a list, which can be stored on pen and paper as well as digitally on your smartphone.

Be sure to lay certain clothes like shorts, tanks, and other light-weight fabrics flat and not folded to avoid permanent wrinkles Clothing can be stored in airtight plastic totes or vacuum bags. This will help prevent any moisture from getting into the container, which can cause mildew to grow. You can also label these boxes for easy sighting later on.

Other more sensitive items such as your summer dresses or linen dress shirts may require a garment bag, which can be hung upright within the unit to help maintain its condition.

 

Find the right storage features for clothing

If you aren’t already using a storage unit for your winter clothing, you will have to reserve a new one. Be sure to look for a storage unit with key features such as climate control, which maintains a constant temperature and humidity level within the unit . This prevents moisture from getting into the fabrics, which again can cause mold and mildew growth.

You may also look for strong security features for more expensive articles of clothing such as electronic gate access, video surveillance, and onsite management.

 

Place your clothing in storage

The time has come to place your summer clothes away, and even this can take some helpful tips. For instance, do not stack all the boxes together in the center of the storage unit. Instead, line the walls of the storage unit, allowing you to spot every box should you need to grab something in the middle of the winter.

Should you need to remove winter clothing, be sure to check all items to make sure they’re in good condition. A single wash may be required before wearing anything to get a fresh scent back.

 

Keep your space and your clothes

Not everyone has space in their apartment or home for boxes of seasonal clothes, and a storage unit offers the perfect way to maximize your space without the heavy cost of moving. Thankfully, placing your summer clothes in a storage unit can be easily done in a few easy steps!