Tips for storing clothes long term

Tips for Storing Clothes in Self Storage

Self storage tips

Whether you have a shopping obsession, too many clothes or you’re wanting to store your Summer clothes during Winter. Your wardrobe at home can only hold so much and sometimes you’re not ready to let go of certain items. So, why keep them stored at home taking up needed space when you can be storing clothes in self storage?

Storing clothes in self storage can be a great storage solution. Using self storage for your clothes can help free up needed storage space in your home. And allows you to hold onto some items for longer whilst you decide whether you really need them or not. In addition, renting a self storage unit near you is the best way to go. That way you’re able to access your clothes whenever you want or need.

Furthermore, storing clothes in a self storage unit is great. But, it’s important to know how to correctly store your clothes so that you can ensure they won’t get damaged over time. So, here are some great tips and tricks to help you with all your clothing storage needs!

1. Prepare items before storing clothes in self storage

Wash and iron your clothes before storing them in self storage. Surface stains and dirt will set into the clothing overtime and when you do finally get them out of your storage unit to use again the stain will be difficult to remove. Dirty clothing can also attract vermin and insects which may also damage your clothing. Ensure you wash all items as per their washing instructions. As well as dry clean your dry cleanable items prior to storing them.

Furthermore, follow these instructions when storing clothing in self storage to ensure your items are safe from being damaged. Preparing your clothes for storage correctly will also mean that your clothes are clean and ready to wear when needed next.

2. To vacuum seal or not to vacuum seal

There is a large range of storage bags available that are perfect for clothing storage. For example, vacuum storage bags are great space savers. However, over a long period of time storing your clothing in these bags will lead to damage.

Storing your clothing in vacuum packed bags will not only leave your clothing creased and wrinkled. But also quicken the process of deterioration as natural fibres need air to maintain its structure and integrity.

A better way for storing clothes in self storage is to use plastic storage tubs. This will help to avoid suffocating your items. Ensure you lightly pack them and start with the heavier items on the bottom. In addition, if you need to purchase a storage tub head to your local hardware store.

3. Say no to plastic bags and cardboard boxes

Like mentioned above, airtight plastic containers with a lid are the best options when storing clothing in self storage. This will keep your clothes dry and stop the growth of mould and mildew, in most cases. If using plastic containers, ensure they are clean, dry and line them with old (but clean) cotton sheets. Avoid plastic bags as these can trap moisture and cause mildew to form or cause the yellowing of fabrics.

In addition, packing your clothing in a cardboard storage box will not protect them against vermin or the elements. Your storage unit shouldn’t have pests, but it’s best to be safe than sorry.

Again, depending on the expense and sentimental value of the item, it’s best to use acid free boxes and tissue paper. Especially for heirloom items as not all plastic boxes are safe and some may release chemicals which could have subtle to grossly negative effects on the clothing.

4. Mothballs

Not only do mothballs leave your clothes smelling terrible, they are not 100% effective. They can also be potentially dangerous if found by children or pets. A better alternative is the natural wooden cedar balls. These will protect your clothing from moths, mildew and musty odours. Therefore, when storing clothes in a self storage unit it is always best to add a few cedar balls.

Furthermore, when using wooden cedar balls, make sure that they are not placed directly on the garments. It is best to place them at the top of your storage container for further protection.

5. Clean, cool, dark and dry

When choosing a storage unit for clothing storage, ensure you choose one that will protect your clothes in the best way possible. It’s best to choose a storage unit that is dry, dark and cool.

Ideally it is suggested that clothing should be stored in conditions that do not exceed 23°C and have low humidity. However, this is more of a guideline if you were storing any heirlooms or expensive sentimental items. As long as the storage space is clean, protects items from elements and doesn’t have direct/bright light, your clothing should be safe.

In addition, a climate controlled storage unit would be the best option for long-term clothing storage.

6. Check and do not protect!

It’s important to check on your items in storage, wherever and whatever you are storing. Checking your items at least once a year you will help minimise the risk of them getting damaged. As well as possibly save them before they do get damaged. Items may fall from storage shelving or you may have packed something too heavy/tight. So, checking your storage unit often is important.

Looking for a facility in Adelaide for storing clothes in self storage?

Furthermore, if you’re looking to store your clothes in self storage, Store Ur Stuff if a great choice for this! Store Ur Stuff is an Adelaide storage facility that offers a range of cheap storage options. Whether you’re needing a large storage unit or just something small, we have the perfect storage solution for you.

View our storage options online and make an enquiry today. Or alternatively, call our friendly team on 8371 0000.

97 replies
  1. Anonymous says:

    What excellent tips! Do self storage operators usually provide an inventory list of what the customers store? Would you recommend humidity control for clothing?

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi and thank you for your comment.

      It is not usual practice for operators to supply an inventory list of what customers store, however it is highly recommended especially if the items you are storing are going to be stored for a long period of time. The best way to keep an inventory is to write a list and take a photo of the items. A little map of your storage unit with where each item is will also assist when you do need to retrieve anything. Stay tuned and I will write a blog with tips on writing an inventory list for your items in storage.

      I have conducted a little more research on humidity control for clothing and I found that it is not a must but depending on the value of the clothing it is a good idea. Avoid storage where temperatures get extreme – either too hot or too cold – or areas that have high humidity. The optimal conditions are temperatures that do not exceed 24 degrees Celsius and humidity is under 55%. This is to avoid sweating and moisture build up that can ruin clothing.

      Reply
      • TiaMia Alcaraz says:

        I don’t have a reply. I want to say that I am placing my granddaughters clothes in a storing plastic bin. I will be storing them in my basement long term. I know to wash them before storing them, however, is there something I should put in the bin with her clothes to protect them from mold and/or mildew?

        Reply
        • Zara Hunter says:

          Hi Tia,
          Thank you for your comment.
          We would recommend wooden cedar balls which repel any insects and/or dry sacs which absorb moisture to keep your clothes fresh.
          I hope this helps!

          Reply
  2. Kathrin says:

    Hi everyone! Thanks a lot for sharing this article! I have a lot of clothes which I want to donate but I still don’t have time to take care of that idea so I should store them somehow. Thanks again for the tips! Regards!

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Kathrin,

      I am so glad you liked the article and thank you for taking the time to comment. Those were just a few tips that I found the most useful. Stay tuned as I will be writing one on storing woolen items in the near future.

      Reply
      • Joe says:

        I am shipping my clothes overseas and I am planning to put into a cardboard boxes
        First put practice inside then the clothes withs kitties silicone gel bags and wrap around with plastic and close the carton box

        Please let me know if I am doing the right thing

        Thank you

        Reply
  3. Haley Bennett says:

    I have furniture and some boxes I should take to a self storage unit. I especially need to put away some of my clothes. I didn’t consider ironing my clothes before packing them though; I will have to try that before storing them this year. Should I air out my clothes a few times a year or will the material be fine to stay in storage for a year or more?

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Haley,

      Thanks for taking time to read my blog and I hope you did find some of it useful. I have done a little research on airing out clothing in storage and there are no real rules on how often you should air out clothing in storage. I always let my long term tenant’s know it is a good idea to check your storage at least every 6 months including checking the external of boxes to make sure that they have no damage from vermin or any water stains and mold. There are certain fabrics that do need ventilation such as cotton, silk, linen and wool so I do recommend airing these items at the 6 month mark. If I was storing my clothing I would definitely check them and air them at 6 months.

      Reply
  4. SuperCheapBoxes says:

    For best results, store your clothes in boxes with sealable, airtight lids. This will prevent insects from sneaking their way inside. The boxes should be clean and the clothes must be dry. Moisture buildup inside the box could create mildew and mold. Don’t fold coats into boxes. The material could be wrinkled and damaged over time. Instead, hang them using a non-rusting coat hanger and a wardrobe box (which will give the coat room to breathe while still protecting it from insects) or store them flat in a very large box. Your tips is very helpful.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi SuperCheapBoxes,

      You have added very useful information in your comments especially the reference to the wardrobe boxes and how they allow clothes to breathe while being stored. If you are using cardboard boxes for any type of storage I do advise splurging and purchasing new boxes which will ensure that the boxes are clean and there are no left over odours or stains that may rub off onto your clothing.

      Reply
  5. Jesse Dennis says:

    For best results, store the clothes in plastic boxes with sealable airtight lids which will prevent insects from getting inside and spoling the clothes. The box in which the clothes are to be packed should be cleaned and the clothes must be dry. If some moisture is left inside the box then it will lead to mold and mildew which of course spoil the texture of the cloth.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Jesse,

      Thanks for reading my post and I hope you have found some of the tips useful. Plastic containers are great for storage and also worth the investment as they can be reused for different storage purposes. Your tip about ensuring your container is clean and dry is extremely important especially for long term storage. As you have pointed out mold and mildew love to breed in those conditions and can ruin your clothing.

      Reply
  6. Tracey Butler says:

    Thanks for your tips. I have sentimental baby clothes and I was about to look at buying some of those vacuum bags. So glad I read your article first ?
    Tracey

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Tracey,

      I am glad you found my article useful and thank you for taking the time to comment. If you do have sentimental clothing the best way to store them long term is to box it with acid-free tissue paper. Ideally, you want to keep the clothing away from anything that could stain it over time so acid-free tissue paper is fantastic and by boxing the gown it seals in the air.

      Reply
  7. Sarah says:

    Thank you for the post. I wish I read this long time before. Never the less it is really a great post. I stored our family clothes in boxes in the garage only to find my husband winter vintage gown chewed by rats, was so disappointed, and some of my good clothes all chewed up and some with yellow stains as you mentioned.

    I just keep storing never rarely give to charity and never used again I really don’t know why I kept them especially after find good stuff destroyed.
    As a result I decided to create a market place for people like me to sell only secondhand stuff to earn extra cash from good stuff instead of storing only to find the rats feasting on them.

    While, I ended up with the same problem how to store them safely until they are sold, then I found your post. Thanks a million times.

    If anyone want to open an online secondhand shop in my market place check us out we are international market place for secondhand items only. https://www.eopshops.nz

    Thank s again for the wonderful post.
    Sarah

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Sarah,
      Thank you for taking the time to read my article and for also mentioning your online secondhand shop – people looking for storage usually do a clean out before storing so they may need to sell some items on your website and also stumble across something they really like too 🙂

      Reply
  8. Briana says:

    Hello! I’ve read as well that even if you only wore it for 5 minutes you should wash it before long term storage… My mom recently moved countries so I tried on all her clothes and kept some of it, a bunch of it is heavily sequined/dry clean only and I don’t want to have to fork over the cost of washing every one unless it’s necessary, plus the extra damage the wash would do to the barely-used fabric… They’ve been sitting around my mom’s house for a bit as well unused so I definitely understand refreshing them before use.

    What do you think about spraying them with vodka, or any of these other alternatives?:
    http://www.thankyourbody.com/green-dry-cleaning-alternatives/

    It seems unnecessary to go for a dry clean, I think vodka might be good enough? It gets good reviews. http://thelacedangel.blogspot.com/2012/03/gettin-rid-of-funk.html

    I plan on using a clothing rack with breathable covers for certain items, and a breathable fabric box with unbleached muslin as a layer between folds. I live in Florida so mildew is a thing. I keep reading that long term storage in plastic is a big no-no because it doesn’t allow fabrics to breathe.

    thanks!

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Briana,
      Thank you so much for posting those links. I have just had a read and I love the vodka cleaning. I never thought of soaking a whole garment in the vodka, I have used it as a spray to freshen up heavily beaded costumes which worked really well. I try to avoid dry cleaning and will always try soaking out stains myself – testing a swab of the material first before plunging the whole item in. I find dry cleaning expensive and now I know about the chemicals they use I will definitely avoid them 🙂

      Reply
  9. Alex Trodder says:

    I just got a bunch of cardboard boxes that my parents have been storing for me since high school. They said that I needed to decide what to keep and what to throw out. I actually found my old Letterman’s jacket in one of the boxes. Sadly, some of the wool ribbing didn’t stand the test of time. However, it is really humid in the Northwest. I guess it’s to be expected. I’ll keep your tips about how to store clothes so that they last.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Alex,
      Thanks for taking the time to read my article and I am sorry to hear the wool ribbing on your jacket didn’t stand the test of time. Living in humid conditions means you do run the risk of your clothes sweating creating moisture build up and thus weaken the fibres and in some cases causing mold. It is always a good idea to air out stored clothes after a period of 6 months, or at the very least to check the boxes they are stored in to ensure there are no water stains or holes where vermin or bugs can get in. Good luck with going through your stuff – I always have fun going through my old clothes, it reminds me of how tragic fashion can be!

      Reply
  10. Donna says:

    Great tips – we are on the move allot and I’ve been thinking lately about storing our clothes in plastic containers for safe keeping from mouldy wardrobes that we end up with sometimes when we’re renting. So this was really help. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Donna,
      No problems and thanks for taking the time to read my article. Plastic containers are great for storage and also worth the investment as they can be reused for different storage purposes.

      Reply
  11. Guy Dawson says:

    It is very necessary to storage the clothes. I plan to using storage in Almira. We mostly wear clothes according to season. We keep old clothes in storage. Thanks for sharing your site with us.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Guy,
      Thanks for taking the time to read my article. I store all of my seasonal clothing in plastic containers in my garage at home as I find it easier to find what I need when there is less stuff to go through – as do a lot of people.

      Reply
  12. Laura Hosler says:

    Hi Jodie,

    Thanks for your blog.

    I have a lot of designer clothing (all seasons) that I need to store while I get back to my original size 4. It will probably take about 6 – 8 months to get to that size. I don’t have a lot of space and considered using the Ziploc plastic bags that you seal with a vacuum cleaner until I read this blog.

    I had initially thought to store the clothes in plastic bins that I had purchased from Walmart but upon a little research found that silk, wool and cotton need to be stored in a place that permits the clothing to breathe such as a rattan chest. I found that solution to be way too expensive and it takes up too much room!

    Now I see that it is ok to store in plastic containers. Can you tell me which kind you would recommend? As I mentioned, I purchased cheap plastic clear containers with lids.

    And would it be recommended to use white tissue paper between each article of clothing? Are there any items that I can store in the vacuum sealed bags?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Laura,

      Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog.

      As you mentioned the best solution is to store those delicate material’s in a rattan chest so the fibers can breathe, however you are right, it is an expensive way to do it. I do believe that plastic containers should be fine for delicate materials as long as the plastic container is dry (has no traces of moisture), can be completely sealed, the clothes you are placing in are completely dry and you are NOT storing the container in humid conditions. I have stored my kids baby clothes in plastic storage containers that I got from my local hardware store. I find the clear plastic containers with the clear plastic lids that have coloured snaps on the side work well. I like them to be clear as well so I can at a quick glance see if there is any mold or mildew forming in the container.

      I do recommend using tissue paper between each article of clothing as long as it is white acid free tissue paper. I would also line the plastic container in acid free tissue paper for my more delicate, expensive and sentimental items. I found this useful step by step guide that shows how to wrap delicate items in tissue paper that also maybe helpful: http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/pdf/preservation/how_to_store_a_fragile_garment_or_textile.pdf

      In regards to vacuum sealed bags – they are fine to use for a short period of time. As I mentioned in my blog I have used them in the past for storing seasonal clothing, however they were only stored in there for a couple of months. I would probably stick to the containers and the tissue paper if these items are expensive.

      Reply
  13. Anna J. White says:

    I have heard that tip before- using a straw. Too bad the air always gets back in the bag. I have found that by using vacuum seal bags the material actually keeps air from getting back in. My zipper bags used to always “blow up” and gain air while in the freezer. A FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer is now my favorite kitchen appliance.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Anna,
      Thanks for taking the time to read my article and I am glad you found some useful information. Vacuum seal bags will always be better than any zipper bags in regards to keeping the air out 🙂

      Reply
      • dee wooding says:

        hi my stored my sons newborn baby clothes ..I wanted to keep them ..he is 24 now they have been stored for 23 years and I looked at them last week there still as new and fresh as the day I packed them away ..heres what I did //I put them all into scented pedal bin bags just loosely folded over then put eaac bag in to his whicker moses basket ..there like new no smells no stains ..I washed them all gently before I stored them .they were then put in an alcove in my bedroom on a top shelf //blankets sheets .baby grows snow white newborn vests ..my friends cant believe there 23 years old

        Reply
        • Zara Hunter says:

          Hi Dee,
          What a great story! Thank you for taking the time to share it with us. We are glad your son’s baby clothes have been preserved so well. Very precious! Well Done!

          Reply
  14. Melinda Durham says:

    I have 2 vintage blankets (wool) with silk border that is a treasured family heirloom. What storage should I use? These were hand weaved from paper shillings during the depression.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Melinda,
      For such an important piece you are best to get advise from a museum or specialist in materials from that era. I did find a useful article for your to read that outlines important steps to take to prepare and store precious textile heirlooms from the University of Kentucky that has contacts at the end of the article – https://fleming.ca.uky.edu/files/caring_for_your_textile_heirlooms.pdf. The contacts are from the US however there should be similar services available in Australia. Try googling The Textile Conservation Centre with the city you are in.
      Hope this helps 🙂

      Reply
      • dee wooding says:

        hi I also have these blankets stored with my sons other baby clothes 23 years old .do what I did above ..mine are still like new and no smells or stains ..I think it was storing them in his whicker moses basket were they could keep ventilated and fresh ..

        Reply
  15. Laina Pearson says:

    Hello Jodie,
    I have 100 bolts of fabric. My husband built me shelving that perfectly stores the bolts. The shelving unit attaches to the wall, no doors. The bottom shelf sits about a 1″ off the floor. I was thinking of making a curtain for the front. I would like to house the fabric in the garage. It is an attached garage. I have not had any water leaking from the roof or the walls. The walls are insulated, not the garage door. I monitored the temperature last winter, the lowest it got in the garage was 38 degrees. What would be your opinion on housing the fabric in the garage?

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Laina,
      Thanks for reading my blog.
      I believe there is no problem storing your fabric in a garage. There are things to consider when storing fabrics in any environment that can damage the fabric. Light, high temperature, high humidity, sealed environments, abrasion, soil and dust, insects and rodents which are all harmful to textiles.

      In regards to the curtain on the front of the shelving as opposed to a door, this will allow your fabrics to breath however you may want to consider fumigating your garage and protecting it from rodents and insects. Dust may also be a factor in a garaged area, depending on where is it located and the frequency of the roller door opening an closing. You would want to make sure the shelving is away from a window as over time, with a curtain as a “door” to your shelving, it will fade and weaken the fibers and may damage your fabric on the shelving.

      It is great that you have monitored the temperature in the winter, however I would also monitor it in the summer as high temperatures cause brittleness of fibers and often are accompanied by excess dryness. Avoid any storage area where fluctuations of temperature occur, as fragile fibers will expand and contract as the temperature changes, and humidity over 55% promotes the growth of mildew which stains fabric. Temperatures of 18-21 degrees Celsius are recommended for storage.

      You may want to consider wrapping your bolts in an unbleached muslin cloth for extra protection. Another tip is to place a clean laundered unbleached muslin sheet in the bottom of the storage shelving in order to quickly identify pest droppings or any small, dislodged fibers as that is a sign that insects are eating your fabrics. Finally it is important that check on your fabrics on a regular basis so that problems can be identified and solved.

      Reply
  16. carol says:

    Can baby powder or baking soda be placed in the plastic container along with the acid free tissue paper, or wld it draw bugs?

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Carol,
      Thanks for reading my blog. In answer to your question, although baking soda and baby powder does not ruin clothing – although I would be careful of ingredients in baby powder as some may stain clothing – I would recommend putting a small bowl or open container of baby powder or baking soda on top of the sealed plastic container as long as it is a tightly sealed container. If your plastic container is on a shelf you could put it next to the container. From what I have heard it is when baking soda and sugar are mixed together roaches and insects are attracted to the mixture and I am guessing it is the sugar part they can detect to be attracted to it. I am not sure if they can smell the baking powder as such. As far as baby powder that will deter wasps, bees and mosquitoes. I hope that is of some help 🙂

      Reply
  17. Donna says:

    Hi I have a storage unit with concrete floors. Using tote storage and have plastic covering the floor. Will cat litter help with keeping moisture out of the unit?

    Reply
  18. tj hall says:

    hi I need help?
    I am trying to organize and store things.I am trying to store long sleeves shirt for winter and summer in plastic containers. I am not great with computer-but I can try.
    I can seal the container with tape? Should I disinfect the container with what spray? Can you recommend a technique to learn how roll shirts and not fold them–I cannot find out how to properly roll the shirts(is it better to roll them).
    I live in Southern califonia-only 68 years old.
    I procrastinated and bit of a hoarder,I is there a web site or some that I can actually talk to do you have a book that you could rcommend or a site?
    I have no website.My number is 949 380 2640

    Reply
  19. Claire Allen says:

    Hi,

    I currently live in the Caribbean but am returning to colder climates for a few years. What’s the best I can do to store my clothes? Plastic containers won’t work due to the humidity plus plastic itself won’t last against dry rot. I won’t be able to air anything out for at least 2 years. Hope you can help?

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Claire,
      You may need to store your clothes in a climate controlled storage unit hung on a clothes rack on hangers well spaced so there is ventilation. Cover the racks with a breathable cloth to protect them from dust and dirt. The other alternative would be to invest in a camphor wood chest layering each item of clothing with acid free tissue paper. I have never had to store clothing in such humid conditions like you will be and the methods I have mentioned above I have not tried or tested. Good luck and I hope this has been of some help.

      Reply
  20. Debbie says:

    Hi I have five bridesmaid dresses that I need to keep for eighteen months, have put them in suit bags and hung them from the ceiling in my attic, do you think they will be ok and should I take them out of bags for twenty four hours once a month. Thank you

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Debbie,
      As a safe guard I would definitely take them out once a month to air. It is always best to be safe then sorry. That little bit of effort will be worthwhile especially if they are waiting to be worn for your special day. Good luck 🙂

      Reply
  21. Ivy Baker says:

    I liked that you pointed out that it would be smart to wash your clothes before putting them in storage. That is good to know for me because I will be moving soon and I need to put my clothes in storage. Also, I am glad that you explained that mothballs can help keep bugs away from my clothes.

    Reply
  22. Emily says:

    Hi,
    I’m struggling to find plastic containers which have a good seal. Can you recommend any?
    Regards,
    Emily.

    Reply
    • Zara Hunter says:

      Hi Emily,
      Thank you for your comment. Have you tried places like Spotlight, Bunnings or Office Works? We have not personally used sealed boxes from these stores but I’m sure any employee from these stores could give you their professional advice on the seals. I hope this was helpful.

      Reply
    • Zara Hunter says:

      Hi Athletic Storage,
      Thank you for taking the time to read our blog and we are glad you enjoyed it. Keep watching this space for more blogs!

      Reply
  23. Leviticus Bennett says:

    Interesting, wooden cedar balls can replace mothballs. I will be sure to tell my grandma that tip. All of her kids moved out of the house so she is packing her belongings to a smaller place. She will need a storage unit to stow away all the family heirlooms and clothes from raising five kids.

    Reply
    • Zara Hunter says:

      Hi Ben,
      Thank you for your comment. We hope your grandma benefits from this tip! A lovely idea to store all the family heirlooms and kids clothes. Good Luck!

      Reply
  24. murtaza says:

    It is actually a great and helpful piece of information. I am satisfied that you simply shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  25. Gerty Gift says:

    Thank you for mentioning that cardboard won’t keep out rats and mice. I knew about not keeping our clothes in plastic, but I didn’t consider that mice or rats could get to our things if they were packed in cardboard. We’ll be sure to look into what you’ve advised and we’ll probably use it for our clothing storage.

    Reply
  26. Burt Silver says:

    I really like what you said about washing and ironing your clothes and how dirty clothes can attract insects and damage your clothes. That’s a really good point and something that I will have to keep in mind because I am looking to store away a lot of my clothes and winter gear for the summer. Hopefully, I can find a good storage unit where I can do this.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Burt,
      It is important to wash your clothes before you store. Just make sure they are completely dry before packing into storage. Even though washing all your clothes to prepare for storage may be a pain, it will be worth while in the end.

      Reply
  27. Victoria NZ says:

    Hi, it’s winter where I am and I’m planning to buy new winter clothes for my kids and store them for next winter. I plan to store them in airtight bags or bins – unsure at the moment. Do you have any specific recommendations for storing brand new clothing for a year?

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Victoria,
      You can store new clothes the same as any old clothes. I would still wash them first before storing and make sure they are completely dry. If they are everyday clothes that you are storing for the year it should be fine to pack them in a air tight plastic container. I have stored my 6 year olds every day clothing in a plastic container for 12 months and they were fine when took them out. I lined the plastic container with some white cotton material and also popped some wooden cedar balls in there too. Just make sure the area you are storing the container in is dry and there are no pests around that may get into the storage container. Hope this is of some help 🙂

      Reply
  28. Sutton Turner says:

    I never knew that it is suggested that clothing should be stored in conditions that do not exceed 23°C with a relative humidity of 55%. I am storing my maternity clothes in our storage facility until I need them again. Thanks for the tips on storing clothes long term.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Sutton,
      Thanks for commenting on my blog. By storing your clothes in these optimal temperatures will ensure that they stay in the best condition possible until you need them again. I am glad you found my blog helpful 🙂

      Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Supysticy,
      Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and I am glad you enjoyed it. If there is anything about storage you would like me to write about please let me know 🙂

      Reply
  29. Easton Memmott says:

    I liked your tip to clean your clothes before you pack them for storage. I am putting all of my clothing in storage for the next few weeks. I will be sure that they are clean before I do so.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Easton,
      Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. It is a very important step to wash your clothes before you put them into storage. It maybe a bother at the time but it will be worth it in the end 🙂

      Reply
  30. Frank says:

    Caring for infant and children’s clothes are similar to adults, but on a smaller scale. There are some detergents and that are not suitable for baby’s skin, thus, parents should select mild detergent containing no added colors or fragrances.

    Reply
  31. Arrow Organizing says:

    As an organizer I often must store Linnens and heirlooms of a cloth variety. Your blog was helpful in that the transferrals of dyes in folds of quilts can happen without much temperature difference at all! The acid free paper was a great tip. I had a client once with a severe allergy to cedar she didn’t know about until her daughter packed her things with the cedar sticks and she could not wear her garments without a rash even after washing many times. Be sure to test your own threshold before it is used. And always seal the clothes from any direct contact with products absorbing moisture as they can cause adverse health reactions.. baking soda open is the only exception I know of personally.. the tubs of gel that change colors are at least contained, but baking powder has aluminum in it so don’t breathe it in. Thanks again from California’s Napa Valley!

    Reply
  32. Maynard says:

    I learned the hard way that the worst place to store clothing is the basement. That is because the basement tends to be more humid because it is usually mostly of not all underground. This environment creates mold. And clothing seems to be a perfect medium for mold to grow. Once mold starts to create a home on your clothing it can be very difficult if not impossible to get out the stains especially on the natural fabrics like cotton, wool, hemp etc.
    For this reason too I would not store anything else of plant or animal based fabrics/papers/cardboard including newspapers, magazines, photos and even upholstered furniture in a basement due to the higher moisture which too can cause these materials to rot.
    The other reason not to store these items in a basement too is that a basement depending on your area can get flooded.
    And let’s not forget about mice as this is usually where they first come in at and they will often chew on these materials and use them as a home and as the material for their nest.
    And since many people don’t go down in their basement often enough by the time they notice these things it’s too late.

    Reply
  33. Kiffer Ward says:

    Thanks for these helpful tips! I really liked it and I enjoy reading your tips. I hope that you’ll share more tips like this. I also hope that others will found your site so that it can also help them.

    Reply
  34. Jocelyn McDonald says:

    My sister is moving to a new home soon, and I suggested she rent a storage unit to store all the items she can’t take with her. Your article had some great tips for storing clothes in a locker like this, and I liked how you said to avoid mothballs and opt for natural wooden cedar balls instead, as they smell better and are often more effective. Thanks; I’ll share this with my sister to help her properly use a storage unit during her move.

    Reply
  35. Sarah Smith says:

    I really like your advice to use cedar balls to keep moths away from your clothes when you are storing them at a storage facility. My mother passed away last month and we would like to move her clothes where they can be safe until we are ready to sort through them. We’ll start looking for some smaller storage units and start moving the clothes in when we find the right one.

    Reply
  36. Kerri says:

    How would you recommend storing everyday clothes to protect against moths.I was finding holes in clothes so decided to keep them in plastic storage containers.Some clothes at bottom of box hadn’t been moved for around 4 months. When I took all of them out 3 light coloured tops all had purpley / grey / blackish stains all over them that didn’t wash out.This was definitely not mould, it was big streaks. The plastic container is red . I rubbed every top that I had in there( also rinsed corners of them under tap) to see if colour was transferring from any of them – it wasn’t . What is this , is the plastic giving off chemicals that is making dye transfer from the clothes ?Is the dye from the plastic ? Yet if I rub the plastic box no colour comes off. I don’t know what to do now or how to store my everyday clothes to protect from moths.Also I noticed denim jackets & jeans had white lines where folds / creases were – is it the plastic making this happen ?

    Reply
  37. Dean Phillips says:

    I thought it was great how you said to wash your clothes before you store them. My wife and I have a lot of our clothes lying around our bedroom. It would be great if we could have a way to store them in our bedroom.

    Reply
  38. Alisha Ross says:

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate your efforts and
    I will be waiting for your further post thank you once again.

    Reply
  39. Gerty Gift says:

    I liked your suggestion to check them once a year to minimize damage. I never thought about how something as simple as that would help with minimizing damage while your things are in storage. It’s definitely something that I’ll be looking into since it sounds like a great idea.

    Reply
  40. Jenna Hunter says:

    I like what you said about washing your clothes before storing them. My family is thinking about getting storage for the family. It could be really helpful to store it with a professional.

    Reply
  41. Anna Dawn says:

    Very helpful article. It is really confusing what to store where in the wardrobe. These suggestion are really amazing keep the wardrobe sorted and perfect.

    Reply
  42. Shaylee Packer says:

    I didn’t realize that airtight plastic containers were the best way to store clothing. This does make sense, as it would be harder for anything to get into them. We are looking to put a few things in storage while we get our house ready to sell. I will have to keep these tips in mind as it gets closer to pack everything up.

    Reply
  43. Fred Gibbons says:

    It’s great that you point out that you can free up space in your home by keeping your old clothes in a storage unit. I have a bunch of old clothes that are crowding my wardrobe, so I’m thinking about renting a storage unit to hold some of them. I’m going to look for a good business in my area that can rent me a storage unit.

    Reply
  44. Storage says:

    Thanks for sharing these helpful tips. One of our family member is moving so I can share these tips with them about the self-storage.

    Reply
  45. Thomas Clarence says:

    I had no idea that storing clothes in vacuum-sealed bags can quicken the process of deterioration. My wife and I have a bunch of hand-me-down clothes that we want to save for our next child, but we don’t have any room to store them in our small apartment. We are wanting to get a storage unit, so we will be sure to avoid using vacuum-sealed bags.

    Reply
  46. Alec Burns says:

    It’s interesting that this article points out that keeping your extra clothes in a self-storage unit can help you create more free space in your home. I don’t have room in my closet anymore for all of the clothes that I have, so I’m considering renting a self-storage unit to hold the ones I don’t need at the moment. I’m going to search for a reputable self-storage business in my area to use.

    Reply

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