With only so much space in your closets, it’s helpful to place some of your clothes in long-term storage when you don’t need them. Whether you want to put your winter clothes away until December or lock up valuable but seldom-worn items for special occasions, it makes sense to keep them in a self-storage unit. Rather than simply dropping them off, consider how best to organize and preserve them. Below, learn how to prepare your clothes for long-term storage. 

4 Tips for Long-Term Clothing Storage 

1. Categorize Your Items 

As you remove clothes from your closet, figure out what you want to keep in the first place. These pieces may include formal attire, baby clothes, seasonal pieces, a relative’s old outfits, or other items. Those clothes should be placed in storage. Anything you don’t want anymore can be sold, donated, thrown away, or even repurposed as crafting scraps or upholstery fabric. 

2. Clean & Repair 

Put all the everyday clothes through your washer and dryer. Any delicate and valuable items should go to a dry cleaning service. To prevent mold growth or damage from pests, ensure they’re thoroughly dry and free of food crumbs.  

Also, examine them for holes, stains, or loose threads so that you can fix them before they worsen from disuse. 

3. Pack Protectively 

Thick sweaters, jackets, and blankets should go in plastic bins to prevent moisture buildup and preserve the materials. Use dust bags for gowns, dresses, and anything made of silk or wool so that they don’t accumulate dirt. Purchase a portable hanger to hang them up, perhaps in a wardrobe box. 

Although vacuum-sealed bags create more space, they’re a poor choice for clothing with fine fibers that need oxygen, such as leather and suede. They’re fine to use for polyester, spandex, and cotton, but even they should be switched to new bags every few months. 

Whatever containers you choose, include cedar chips to deter moths and other pests. Also, choose a facility that offers cool, dark, and dry storage units to prevent damage from sunlight or extreme temperatures. 

4. Implement a System 

Put labels or symbolic colors on the boxes or bags so that you can easily find them in the storage facility later. Also, keep a record of everything that you’re placing in storage and on what date. That’s the best way to remember what you still own, or to keep track of when you should check on them or pull them out. 

 
If you need a safe place to store your clothes, turn to Texarkana Self Storage and RV. Located in Texarkana, TX, they offer cool, dark, dry, and affordable storage units of various sizes guaranteed to fit all your belongings. Every unit is available for you to access 24/7. For your convenience, they also manage a location in Lakeside. To find out more information, call them today at (903) 792-7867 or message them online.