How to Properly Store Clothes Long Term

If you need to store clothes to make room for seasonal garments or to store extra clothes for an extended period of time, then follow these tips to ensure that your clothes remain in good condition while kept away long term.

Donate or discard clothing you won't use anymore

You should only store clothes that still intend to use in the near future. Otherwise, it is better to discard, sell, repurpose, or donate them, as storing them for a long period of time will only cause smell and stains to set in.

Clean clothes first

Before you store clothes for future use, you need to make sure that they are clean either by washing or dry cleaning.

Some clothes may not visually look dirty, but there might be dirt in areas you may not be aware of unless you carefully inspect them. Over time, this dirt can cause yellowing stains on clothes. Not to mention, that dirt can attract moths that can potentially damage the fabrics. 

Do not iron the clothes before storing them as it can weaken the fabric and cause tearing along the clothes' creases. You may use a clothing steamer if the garment happens to have a musty smell to it.

If you had your clothes dry cleaned, remember to remove them from the plastic bags. Moisture trapped in the bag can cause the clothes to produce a foul and musty smell.

Choose a good location

The best place to store clothes is a dry, cool, dark, and well-ventilated area. Avoid locations that are directly exposed to sunlight to prevent colors from fading. However, if you have no other option, then you can use an opaque storage box to keep sunlight away from your clothes. 

Also, the attic is not an ideal place for storage due to extreme heat and neither is the basement as it is prone to excess moisture and flooding.

Choose good boxes

Avoid using cardboard or wood boxes for storing clothes. Cardboard and wood contain acids that can over time damage the textile and discolor the clothes. Also, cardboard and wood are pests magnet. These pests will eat their way into the boxes and feast on your garments.

Instead, you can use plastic boxes or containers. But don't use air-tight containers, especially if you plan to store the clothes for a long period, as textiles also need to breathe to last longer. If you would be using opaque boxes, make sure that your label them accordingly, to make it easier for you to find what you need. 

If possible, use boxes of uniform size so that it will be easy for you to stack them. Avoid using box size that would require many folds or creases on the garments. Also, once a year,  refold the garments to avoid creases from setting that can degrade the garments over time.

You may also put a cotton or linen cover on your storage boxes or clothing racks to keep dust and pests out while still allowing proper air circulation. You may also want to use acid-free paper to line the boxes, as well as to separate and protect the garments.

If you opt to hang some of your clothes, make sure that you use wide and sturdy hangers. This will ensure that clothes retain their shape even when stored for a long period. Also, remember to have them covered to prevent dust and pest from damaging the garments.

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