Living in a cold climate like London and the UK requires a larger wardrobe compared to areas with stable temperatures. Wearing shorts outside in the middle of January is not an option for Londoners, unlike those who live in warmer regions.
As one of the world’s fashion capitals, London provides an opportunity for residents to express their personality through their wardrobe. However, inadequate wardrobe space can be a challenge for city dwellers. For fashion enthusiasts, a new season means new trends to follow.
If you find that your wardrobe is too crowded, you might be considering ways to save some space. One of the most effective ways to declutter your wardrobe is by SMART Wardrobe storing clothes that you no longer wear.
It’s time to face the truth: you need more space. Your wardrobes are so full that they might burst if you try to add anything else. It’s time to declutter your wardrobe and create some space.
Twice a year, it is common practice to store seasonal clothing.
For those of us who wear clothes that are appropriate for the weather, it’s a fact of life to have a perpetual cycle of seasonal clothes storage. In both spring and fall, it’s time to perform the ritual of swapping your seasonal clothes for the ones that are best suited for the upcoming season.
Whether you’re packing away your swimwear or shorts in the fall, or your mitts and sweaters in the spring, there’s a right way and a wrong way to store your seasonal clothes. It is worth taking the time to do it properly as this can help extend the life of your clothing.
Additionally, when your seasonal clothes emerge from their hibernation months later, they’ll be well-organized and you’ll have fewer headaches to deal with. Use these nine seasonal clothes storage tips whenever you’re switching over your wardrobe.
1. It’s a good idea to simplify your wardrobe.
As seasons change, it’s a good opportunity to evaluate your wardrobe and get rid of clothes that are no longer useful or desirable. According to a recent poll, 63% of people plan to declutter their closets in the next year, but sometimes life gets in the way and we don’t always follow through on our plans.
This is why many of us have unworn or barely worn clothing taking up space in our closets. Some of this clutter may be due to seasonal clothing that doesn’t fit, is out of fashion, is damaged beyond repair, or was bought on sale but never worn.
Take some extra time to go through your clothing collection and get rid of items you don’t wear. This will free up closet and drawer space, and also save you time when you’re looking for something to wear.
2. Wash and repair your clothes before storage
When storing your seasonal clothes for several months, it is essential to wash and fold them properly. For delicate items, it is advisable to take them to your dry cleaner. Leaving an untreated stain on your clothing can cause more significant problems later on, as the stain will set in further and cause a worse discolouration of the fabric.
It is also important to deal with any smells of body odours, perfumes, or colognes left on unwashed seasonal clothes. If left unattended, these smells will become more difficult to get rid of, and your clothes will attract pests like closet moths, especially if they are not washed.
To avoid any mould or mildew problems, ensure that your washed seasonal clothes are completely dry before being put into storage containers. Damp clothes being stored in a sealed space with no airflow can lead to mould and mildew problems.
Before storing your seasonal clothes, take care of any sweater de-pilling or necessary mending tasks, such as fixing broken zippers or replacing missing buttons. By investing a little extra time to make sure all of your seasonal clothes are fresh and ready to wear the following year, you will thank yourself in the future.
3. Use plastic storage containers
How to store your seasonal clothes, always opt for clean plastic storage containers with secure lids instead of cardboard boxes. Make sure to label them appropriately for easy retrieval. Although cardboard boxes may seem like a good option, they eventually fall apart and are challenging to move around.
Moreover, rodents and insects can easily infiltrate them, which is not the case with plastic containers. Clothing stored in cardboard boxes for extended periods of time may also develop white or yellow stains. Therefore, it’s best to avoid using them.
While storing clothes in plastic containers, make sure you don’t overstuff them, as it can lead to tough-to-remove creases and wrinkling. Also, don’t forget to leave a bit of space in the containers to allow air to circulate, which will prevent your clothes from developing a musty odour.
4. Proper Usage of Mothballs for Storing Seasonal Clothes
Mothballs are a great solution to prevent insects from damaging your clothes, but it’s important to use them correctly. Mothballs are actually pesticides and have a certain level of toxicity, which can be harmful to pets, children, and you if used improperly. To avoid any safety concerns,
it’s recommended to wear gloves when handling them. If you want to eliminate any safety worries altogether, you can opt for chemical-free mothballs or use cedar blocks or cedar-lined chests as a safer alternative.
Also, keep in mind that mothballs need to be used in an airtight container or bag to be most effective. You should also use the right amount of them, and remember that after a while, they lose their effectiveness and will need to be replaced.
5. Where to store your seasonal clothes in your home.
When it comes to storing your seasonal clothing, not everything can be folded and put in storage containers. Some clothes need to be hung, which is why it’s a good idea to install a wardrobe organizer and some helpful accessories like extra hanging rods to create more storage space in your wardrobes.
You can also add an extra shelf in the upper area of your closet to store items you don’t need for some time. However, be careful not to overcrowd your closets with too much seasonal clothing, as it may limit your everyday use of the space.
There are other areas in your home that you can use for seasonal clothes storage, such as wardrobes, larger walk-in closets or dressing rooms, bed surrounds with under-bed storage, suitcases, and laundry rooms with extra cabinet storage space. Just keep in mind that if you choose to store your clothes in the laundry room, you’ll need to use a dehumidifier due to the high moisture levels.
6. It’s advisable to store your belongings in a space that is climate-controlled.
If you’re planning to store your seasonal clothing, it’s important to ensure that you choose a climate-controlled facility for it. SMARTBOX Storage facilities across London offer stable storage conditions with consistent temperatures, which are recommended to keep your clothes well-preserved.
If you’re planning to store your clothes at home, make sure your basement is not too damp and avoid keeping your clothes too close to your furnace. Also, don’t use your garage unless it’s climate-controlled.
Your storage space should be clean and, if possible, kept in a darker space to prevent your clothes from fading, especially if you’re using clear storage containers. Attics can be too hot and dusty for seasonal clothes storage, so it’s better to avoid them.
Finally, some of your seasonal clothes may be packed away for a long time without being used, so it’s important to take extra care when storing them.
7. Hanging certain items is not recommended.
If you have a lot of hanging space in your closets, you might be tempted to hang all your seasonal clothes. But, some of your delicate knitwear or sweaters may lose their shape if left hanging for too long.
To avoid this, it’s best to fold your sweaters and store them in a drawer or plastic container. For long-term storage of delicate items like quilts or wedding dresses, wrap them in acid-free tissue to prevent damage.
If you must use hangers to store something, opt for high-quality padded or wooden hangers as they provide better support for your clothes than wire hangers.
8. Don’t use plastic bags for seasonal clothes storage
It is not well-known that storing clothes for a long time in a dry cleaning bag is not recommended. The term “dry” in “dry cleaning” is somewhat misleading, as liquid solvents are used in the process.
If the solvents are not completely dried by the dry cleaner, moisture trapped inside the plastic bag can lead to yellowing and mildew on the fabric.
Even if your dry-cleaned items were completely dry when you brought them home, the plastic cover does not allow your delicate clothing to breathe, which is necessary. For long-term storage of winter coats, suits, and formal wear that is only used occasionally, it is best to use breathable garment bags.
9. Some things are not meant to be stored in vacuum-sealed packaging.
When it comes to storing your seasonal clothes, you might think that vacuum sealing them using a vacuum attachment or hand pump is a great idea to save space. However, not all clothing items are suitable for vacuum sealing.
Compression of natural fibres can cause the material to take months to return to its natural form, or worse, never return to its original shape. Clothing made from natural fibres needs some air circulation to breathe, which vacuum sealing eliminates completely.
Therefore, delicate and fluffy clothing or textiles such as bulky winter coats and down jackets, towels, winter gloves, comforters, pillows, leather products, sleeping bags, and anything made from wool, cashmere, or silk, should not be vacuum sealed.
Find better ways to store your seasonal clothes
Schedule a free pickup with SMART Wardrobe let us help you find better ways to store and organize your seasonal clothes, everyday clothes, and just about anything else in your home.
