It is that time of year again where we swap out our sweaters for t-shirts and winter boots for sandals. Many people get overwhelmed with the process of switching out their off-season clothing and putting it away because they have no idea where to start. But we have listed some tips and tricks to help you store your clothing smarter and more efficiently!
Preparing to Pack away off-season clothing
Since winter clothing is only used for a limited time each year, it should be packed away for long-term storage. For storing the winter items, try to store them in the same place you store your summer clothes. This makes it easier to find what you want when you’re ready to wear them again. Another way is to sort clothes by colors for storage.
But no matter where you want to start, here are some suggestions to help you get going!
Wash It:
To keep your winter garments in good condition, wash them before pressing to remove stored dust and odors. Wash all clothing with a mild detergent, and make sure to gently wash any wool items by hand or machine wash in a mild detergent with cold water on delicate cycles and lay flat to dry
Hang It Up:
Hanging things up in your closet won’t take up much room, and is the best way to keep your clothes from getting wrinkled or stretched out. Winter clothes are best stored on hangers. The correct way to do this is by rolling up the sleeves, folding one side of the garment over the other, and then rolling it up like a sausage roll—making sure that it’s not twisted.
Fold It:
If you don’t have enough hanging space in your closet, it’s better to fold your clothes and stack them one on top of the other which in turn will help you save more space as well.
Get Rid Of It:
You probably have some worn-out sweaters, stained blouses, or clothes that just do not fit anymore hiding in the back of your closet. Storing for the season is a good time to go through your clothes which you can give away to friends and family or donate anything you no longer wear.
Give It A Rest:
Before you put everything away in storage bins or plastic bags, lay clean clothes flat to air dry on a rack, then roll them up tightly before storing. You can pack them with some dried lavender, cedar blocks, or dryer sheets so when you unpack them they will smell fresh.
Storage Tip #1: If you’re short on closet space, you can store folded sweaters on shelves. To keep things neat, place each sweater in its own acid-free tissue paper.
Storage Tip #2: For winter items like scarves, hats, and mittens that don’t wrinkle easily (or at all), there’s no need to wrap them in tissue paper before storing.
Using your space efficiently
Get your winter clothes ready for storage by following these tips:
- Divide the area where you store your winter clothes into sections for different types of clothing.
- Put winter blankets and pillows right in the middle of the parts of your closet that hold heavy coats.
- If you have a spare closet or storage room, use it to store seasonal items that don’t fit in other areas of your home
- Keep regular hangers organized alphabetically and fold clothes so they’re easier to pack away when you’re finished with them
To organize and pack your winter clothes, you’ll want to create a small, separate bag for each piece of clothing.
Start by folding large items such as coats, blankets and sweaters in half horizontally so that when you open them, they lay flat.
Fold smaller items vertically; this will take up less space than laying them horizontally, space saving bags free up more room.
Then fill all of your space saving bags with clothes that are folded and then place them in larger storage bags.
Items that can help preserve clothing in storage
Buying the right storage container for your clothes, shoes and accessories is just one part of the equation when it comes to your wardrobe.Winter clothes that are being put into storage may be better organized using a variety of different types of hangers that will fit the shape of the garment. Hangers made from wood, plastic or even felt will give your clothing its own space instead of bunching up together on several different hangers.
Winter clothes should be stored in breathable containers that allow air flow, such as:
- mesh bags
- plastic bins
- hanging garment bags.
Protect your clothes from pests and mildew
To prevent mildew and moths, store them in a dry, cool place. Before storing away your winter coats and sweaters, be sure to protect them from pests and fire hazards by treating them with a washing agent.
The drawback is that many of these products are toxic to humans and animals. Most organic products smell good and have a mild scent, but some also contain pheromones, which attract moths. Try using citronella oil in cotton balls as moths hate the smell!
Conclusion
Organizing and storing clothing is one of the things Boston closet does best! We are one of the best in the Boston area that can help transform your closets, storage, and organization. Summer is coming so now that you know how to store your winter clothes, it’s time to get to work!
