How to Store Your Winter Clothes

As winter fades away and spring sets in, it is time to bring out your spring wardrobe and stove away your winter clothes. While it is a fairly simple task to put them in storage, you must follow a few guidelines to keep them safe and clean so that they come out in perfect condition for the next winter. Here are some tips on how to store your winter clothes.

• Firstly empty the pockets of your winter clothes. Substances like gum and candy can leave stains and attract insects while rusty items can tear or leave rust stains during the months of storage.

• Clean all winter clothes properly. Perspiration, perfume and food or oil stains if unattended to, will set in your fabric making them almost impossible to remove when you take out the clothes for the next winter. When in doubt, hand-wash or dry-clean the clothes.

• Some clothes like knits can sag or lose shape if you hang them for several months. Prepare to fold and store them in containers. The best containers are cardboard boxes and luggage. Make sure they are dry and clean before you pack the clothes in them. Place moth balls or cedar blocks in the boxes to keep the insects away. Air flow is essential to keep the winter clothes fresh. Do not store the containers in high humidity areas or where they could get exposed to dampness or water.

• When folding the clothes, avoid wrinkles and creases - these can be hard to undo if they remain for months. Silk is particularly susceptible to tearing along deep creases. When you stack the, place the lighter, delicate winter clothes on top and the heavier ones at the bottom.

• Plastic containers are not advisable for storage unless they are vacuum sealed bags as they do not provide enough air circulation. Vacuum sealed bags on the other hand are ideal for storing your winter clothes as they are air-tight and keep insects away. They also help you store compactly.

• The winter clothes you plan to hang should be placed properly on hangers. There must be sufficient air flow in the area of the closet where they hang to avoid mold or mildew. You could hang a net over the entire section of winter clothes hanging in your closet for additional protection.

• Wool, fur and silk are favorite targets of insects. Exterminate the storage area if you fear the presence of moths or insects.

Before you begin, it might be a good idea to classify your winter clothes according into two sets - ones you want to hang and ones you want to place in storage boxes. This helps you remain organized and saves you time.