Clothing can hold a great deal of sentimental value, especially special pieces like wedding dresses. If you don’t have room to store these clothes in your home and you need a long-term solution, storage units are excellent resources to use that keep them safe. However, it’s important to pack your garments in the correct way to ensure they aren’t damaged by the elements or pests.

How to Keep Your Clothes Safe in Storage Units

1. Wash Clothes Before Packing

Make sure you thoroughly wash the clothes you’ll be storing to remove stains. This is crucial because worn clothing contains bacteria and organic materials inside their fibers, which will attract moths. Pests are especially attracted to natural materials like wool and cotton, so make sure these items are especially clean. Smells and stains will set into the clothing when left for a long period of time. Make sure they’re completely dry when you pack them to prevent mold or mildew as well.

2. Choose the Right Container

Never store your clothing in plastic bags or cardboard boxes. Plastic bags trap moisture which causes mold, and cardboard boxes are easy for pests and vermin to get into. Instead, opt for a plastic container with lids. They’ll protect your clothing from moisture, dust, mold, and mildew. Pests also can’t get into them because of the hard plastic.

3. Use Cedar Blocks

Many people use mothballs to keep these insects away from their clothes, but they can smell and the chemicals can be harmful to your clothes. Instead, add some cedar blocks or balls to your containers. These keep away moths and also protect against bad odors. You can place a few cedar blocks around your storage unit as well to help soak up lingering smells.

If you need a long-term storage solution, trust the American Mini Storage in Staunton, VA. The facility offers affordable, climate-controlled storage units to residents across Augusta County. They have units in a variety of sizes to meet your needs. They also allow customers 24/7 access to their belongings without compromising security. Visit their website to learn more about their services or call (540) 885-7231 to ask about their available sizes.