Perhaps you’re moving out of state temporarily for a job or have military duties overseas. Maybe you are trying to increase closet space by putting seasonal clothes somewhere else. Whatever your motivations are for renting a storage unit, you don’t want the clothes to sustain damage from mildew, moths, or anything else. Use these tips to keep your stored clothing in excellent condition.

What Are the Best Tips for Keeping Clothes in Long-Term Storage?

1. Launder or Dry Clean Everything

Wash and dry clean your clothes to lift body soils, food stains, and other agents that degrade the fabric during storage. Ensure all laundered clothing is completely dry before packing it away to prevent moisture damage, and take the opportunity to make small repairs such as sewing missing buttons or replacing damaged zippers. Make an inventory list as you go, creating categories by type or color.

2. Use Vacuum-Sealed Bags Sparingly

Use vacuum-sealed bags for polyester, cotton, spandex, and lycra fabrics without worrying about the fabric fibers losing their shape. The process protects clothing from moisture, dust, mildew, and insects without taking up significant storage space; however, fabrics made from natural fibers become creased in vacuumed-sealed bags. Leather items also sustain creases, while puffy coats become misshapen because they lose their air.

3. Employ Plastic Bins & Dust Bags for Everything Else

Keep thick sweaters, jackets, natural fiber items, and blankets in plastic bins with sealable lids since cardboard boxes do not prevent rodent, insect, or moisture infiltrations. Place dry cleaned garments such as gowns and other special fabrics, including leather, beaded, silk, and wool items in dust covers before hanging them on a portable wardrobe or hanger. Dust covers protect fabric but allow it to breathe. If you’re using a hanger, place it on a pallet. Floor contact increases the chances of insect and rodent activity.

4. Label Bins & Add Cedar Chips

Create labels to slip inside the bins detailing what they contain, such as snow pants and down jackets, sweatshirts and hoodies, or swimwear and other summer clothing. Compare your labels to your inventory list to make additions or other edits as needed.

Once you’re finished stacking your bins and setting up hangers or wardrobes, scatter cedar chips around the storage unit as further protection from vermin. Cedar chips repulse insects and rodents but offer a pleasant scent, unlike mothballs that leave clothing odorous. 

Preserve your clothes at Northgate Mini Storage, the facility providing moving and storage solutions to residents throughout the Jacksonville and Cabot areas of Arkansas. Enjoy choosing unit sizes ranging from 5 x 10 to up 10 x 30 in a clean facility with a computerized gate that’s accessible seven days a week. Call (501) 985-5054 today to discuss your storage needs or visit the website for the latest coupons.