Living in Texas, we all know if you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes, and it will change! We have certainly had plenty of examples of that recently with temperatures switching from the 90s to the 30s in just a matter of days. But, the change of seasons is on the way with Spring on the doorstep and Summer not far off. The season changes cue a change in our personal wardrobe too. Time to put away “off season” clothing and bring out the stylish threads for the new season. But, what’s the best way to store clothing when not in season use? Macho Self Storage has a few tips for you!
If you are moving out of a house or apartment and have appliances you need to put in storage for a bit, we have some helpful tips on how to properly prepare your items for storage. And, we have the space to store your appliances too!
Your appliances storage may be short term or long term, but in either case, it is important to properly prepare each item for storage.
Organize Clothing
When you are sorting and separating your seasonal clothes to keep in your closet or to put in storage containers and put in a self-storage unit, it is a good time to do a little “spring cleaning.” Donate or discard clothing you have not worn in a long time or never will wear again. Look for worth causes to donate your useable clothing to or sell at a yard or garage sale. The remainder of the items you want to keep can stored in containers and put in the storage unit.
Wash Clothes Before Storing
It may seem unnecessary to wash clothing that you are putting in storage, but that is exactly the time to do it! This helps protect the textures and lifespan of clothing and always prevents mold and mildew forming from unwashed clothes. Clothing store over long periods of time perhaps can reveal stains from perfumes, oils, and other liquids that might be in the fabric.
Use Plastic Bins
Cardboard boxes are great for storing many things in a storage unit but NOT for clothing. Here’s a better way to store clothes. We recommend investing in clear plastic bins when placing your clothing in storage. These securable bins provide great protection and are easy to use when identifying what’s inside. Sure, most people pack their clothing in boxes or plastic bags when moving from one home or apartment to another. But, when it comes to long term storage for your clothing, plastic bins are ideal for added protection from insects and rodents or any other external element, such as water, humidity, and dust, that might cause damage to your belongings. With clear plastic bins clearly labeled, it will provide you ease of mind when the season changes again and you return to the storage unit to gather clothing.
Vacuum Pack Your Clothes? NEVER!!
The easy thing to remember about whether to vacuum pack your clothing for storage is to NEVER DO IT! The temptation is do vacuum pack because it saves a lot of space, but it is not good for your clothing in long-term storage. Here’s how to store clothes the right way! Instead, place heavier clothing at the bottom of a storage bin and stack the less heavy items on top. This allows the fabrics to “breathe” while in storage and prevents from breakdown of the fabric. It is a natural tendency to fold clothes when putting in storage, but you might also consider rolling each item. It will take up more space, but the advantage is, over a long period of time, you will not have the creases that would normally show from folded items.
Inventory List
Create an inventory list of what clothing items are store in each plastic bin. On this list, you will write down every item in your bin. You should list the item, a brief description of it, and the size of the article of clothing. This can be taped onto the bin or live in an Excel spreadsheet. It will allow you to know for certain the contents of your bins so that you don’t waste time digging through them. This will make it easier to locate and remove season clothing as needed. You might consider displaying the inventory list inside the storage unit for easy reference. Clearly mark each plastic bin in accordance with the inventory list, however you decide to separate the clothing:
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter clothing
- Sweaters
- Casual clothing
- Swim attire
- Mom’s Spring Clothes
Cedar Chips
How to store clothes by adding cedar chips! Tossing in some cedar chips in each plastic bin is an option to deter pests, and honestly, spell much better than mothballs! 😊 We work very hard at all our Macho Self Storage locations to deter pests from our units.
Climate Controlled Units
For extra storage precaution with clothing, you might consider a climate-controlled unit. These units are a welcomed option for those of use in north Texas due to the extreme heat and humidity we experience. Climate-controlled storage units normally keep the temperature between 50-80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Your clothing will stay in excellent condition.
Don’t Mix Fabrics
How many of us when moving to a new location simply toss all our clothing in a plastic bag or cardboard box and move everything together? It’s a bit different when considering how to store clothing for long periods of time. It is advisable not to mix fabrics. Natural fibers need to be able to breathe. So, just take a little extra time to separate wool, silk, cotton, and other fabrics in to separate plastic bins.
Inspecting Clothing in Storage
If you place clothing in storage for a long period of time and plan to leave those items in the storage bins, it is a good idea to visit the unit every couple of years to refold or roll the items. This is advisable to help prevent creases forming and for general inspection of the fabrics.
Putting your off-season clothing in a self-storage near where you live will make it convenient when transporting additional items to storage and when inspecting clothing you have in storage. It will also give you peace of mind knowing your valuable clothing is in a safe and secure storage environment. And, it saves space at your home!
We can store your out of season clothing for you! Find a convenient location in north Texas near you!
