For many, one of the best parts of winter making way for spring weather is the shedding of layers. As warmer weather dawns and spring cleaning begins to take place, a common task is trading out your bulky winter sweaters for lighter floral skirts and short sleeve shirts. But the problem always remains: what to do with those heavy winter garments you don’t plan to see for another six months. If you live in an apartment, small house, or dorm, you may not have the option to store your out-of-season clothes in your home. Thankfully, Safeguard Self Storage offers high-quality clothes storage ideas to fit all your needs.

Steps for Storing Your Winter Clothes

Before you pack away your winter clothes, make sure each item is clean, dry, and something you plan to wear next winter. Donate what you’ve grown out of or don’t love anymore. Then separate your items between what can be folded and what can be hung. Typically, anything that could lose its shape if being hung (a wool sweater, for example) should be folded. Anything that could wrinkle while folded (such as linen) should be hung. Next, you’ll need bins for clothing or vacuum-sealed bags to store clothing. Plastic bins should have lids that seal tightly, and vacuum-sealed bags should not be overstuffed. These two options are your best bets for keeping out pests, moisture, and other dirt. Properly zip, snap, and button all your garments to avoid them snagging other pieces of clothing.

Start by filling plastic bins with the heaviest knits on the bottom, like wool sweaters. Delicate or vintage items that are being stored in bins can be wrapped in acid-free tissue paper for extra protection. Shoes or boots can be stuffed with tissue paper or shoe shapers to keep their shape while being stored. Keep items like these in plastic bins, but don’t stuff too many into one container. For hanging clothes, be sure to remove dry-cleaning garment bags, and instead place clothes in real garment bags.

Keeping Your Clothes Fresh During Storage

Another area of concern might be how to keep clothes smelling fresh in storage. A few easy tricks can ensure you don’t take musty-smelling clothes out of storage next winter. Cedar balls or lavender packets repel pests, while charcoal bags or dryer sheets can absorb odors. The best place to keep these bins and boxes of winter clothes is in a climate controlled storage unit. Attics and basements may become too hot or damp and could impact the quality of your winter clothing. At Safeguard Self Storage, we offer a variety of storage options complete with computer-controlled access, individual door alarms, and digital video recording to keep your items protected and out of your way. Contact us today to find your nearest Safeguard Self Storage unit or get a quote on seasonal storage.