Storing winter clothing can be challenging regardless of the size of your home. To save space, consider donating unmatched socks, worn-out gloves, and any sweaters that are beyond repair to your local textile recycling centre as you go through your winter items. As the seasons change, you’ll need to create space for your summer gear by keeping them away from home until you need them again.
If you’re looking for a specialist seasonal clothes storage company, SMART Wardrobe Services from SMARTBOX storage is an excellent option.
Here are some helpful tips for storing your seasonal clothing and help you switch
How to Prepare Your Winter Clothing for Storing
Storing winter clothing can seem like a daunting task, but with a bit of preparation, it can be done easily. Here’s how to get started:
Firstly, it’s time to let go of any items that you haven’t worn in years. Check your collection of sweaters, coats, gloves, and boots. If you find any wearable items that are in gently worn condition and no longer needed, you should consider donating them.
Next, clean your winter gear thoroughly before storing it. These items usually get coated with salt, snow, and mud, so they need a good wash. You can wipe or brush if you have soiled items that can’t be washed or dry cleaned, such as winter shoes and boots.
Finally, use an eco-friendly moth repellent to protect your stored sweaters from moths. You can use cedar, lavender, or cinnamon sachets to keep the moths at bay.
Storing Winter Clothing
Once you’ve cleaned your winter gear and removed any snow, salt, and dirt that can stain or damage clothing, it’s time to store them so they are still in pristine shape for next winter.
- Here are some helpful tips for storing your off-season items:
1. Put empty suitcases to work: Empty suitcases (not duffel bags) are great for storing off-season items, especially if you don’t travel more than a couple of times per year. After packing your belongings, keep your luggage in a cool, dry place. Avoid damp basements, unheated garages, or outdoor sheds, as these are not ideal for keeping your belongings in good condition.
2. Vacuum-pack bulky items: To store things like puffy jackets and snow pants in the off-season, use vacuum-sealed storage bags to take up less storage space. Large plastic bins work too, as you can press a lot into these containers.
3. Choose the right vacuum seal bag: The best ones to use are long and flat bags because even when stuffed, they can easily fit under a bed.
4. Use humidity packs: If you’re packing your things in vacuum bags, you should throw some humidity packs in between or around the stored bags to keep humidity out.
5. Rethink closet space: A large assortment of hanging storage caddies are available for everything from sweaters to scarves. The collapsible, hanging shelving can give you the biggest bang for your organizing dollars because they easily double your closet’s capacity. Invest in an option with cedar panel inserts, which will freshen and protect clothing.
Best of all, a collapsible storage solution does not take up much room when not in use. Just fold it and put it in a drawer or shelf until needed.
Storing Winter Accessories
An excellent way to store and organize hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves is a closet-door organizer with lots of pockets. It is a smart storage solution that will help you match gloves and mittens while keeping hats and mufflers easily accessible but out of the way. Consider these additional storage options:
- Show off winter hats: If you are proud of your winter hat collection, don’t have it collecting dust at the top of your closet. Show it off. Hanging your hats with clothespins on a cord or chain attached to the wall.
- Hang scarves: Head to your nearest home improvement store and pick up a cheap towel rack, and voilà, you have a scarf organizer. Secure the towel rack to the back of your closet and knot each scarf over the bar if you have more scarves than can fit, secure an additional towel rack underneath the original.
- Use shoe organizers: Over-the-door shoe organizers are perfect for storing small items like mittens. Unlike a drawer or basket, the individual pockets keep coordinating accessories together, so you do not have to dig around to find matching gloves or mittens.
Storing Winter Boots and Shoes
When it comes to storing winter shoes and boots, it’s best to dry them off and wipe them down first. Clear storage bins are great for keeping them out of the way during warmer months. If you have bulky winter footwear, store them in an attic, garage, or closet. Alternatively, you can try these creative storage solutions:
1. Repurpose one-litre bottles: Stuff them inside boots to help keep their shape. This way, you can repurpose empty bottles and then recycle them when it’s time to wear or remove your footwear.
2. Turn wine boxes into shoe storage: The cardboard sleeves inside make them perfect for storing shoes and boots. If you have wide shoes, you can bend or remove the cardboard slots.
3. Prevent humidity: After cleaning winter shoes well, apply a layer of wax to leather footwear. Let the wax soak in for several days before storing your boots. Don’t forget to put humidity packs inside your boots just in case, and then stuff them with newspaper so they stay in shape while stored. Tall boots should always be stored upright.
4. Combat odour with charcoal: Stuff your shoes with charcoal odour busters made for shoes. This is one of the most effective ways to keep them smelling fresh when stored.
