As we transition into cooler weather, it’s that time of year when my wardrobe is starting to become a mix of summer and winter wear. Thin summer tops are being swapped for thicker layers, and my wardrobe can’t cope with the quantity of garments inside.
I like to keep my closet tidy, but despite knowing how to declutter my wardrobe like a pro, sometimes there’s not enough space. So to keep on top of my clothes, I always separate summer and winter wear.
Although I’d love to have a dressing room with two separate wardrobes to split my seasonal items, I have to rely on another method. And it involves hiding everything away under my storage bed.
Start by decluttering your clothes
Before I start tidying away my clothes for storage, I take a good look at what I’ve got. If I haven’t worn any of the items throughout the season, I place them in a donation pile, or, if they are worn out, I put them out for recycling. This helps me cut down on what I’m storing, as there’s no sense in putting items away that I’m not going to wear again.
Clean your clothes
Once I’ve sorted through what I’m going to keep, I don’t just bundle everything up and forget about my clothing until the sun comes out next summer. I take care to store my clothes correctly to keep them in the best condition, and that includes protecting my clothes from moths, mold, and dust.
So, before I store away my garments, I ensure my clothes are clean. This avoids the problem of marks, such as grease stains and sweat stains, going undetected and becoming impossible to remove once they are unpacked.
Cleaning your garments in one of the best washing machines will also remove odors, body oils, and food particles that get trapped in fibers. If left intact, these particles will attract moths, mold, and mildew, causing damage to your garments.
Apart from ensuring your clothes are clean, make sure your storage containers, drawers, or closet are clean too. Otherwise, you’ll be defeating the object of keeping your garments fresh.
The best storage solution
The type of storage you use will depend on the space you have. For me, this means packing them away in storage boxes.
Vacuum packs
If you have limited space to store your clothes, vacuum packs are a great solution. Sealing your clothing in airtight bags not only protects your clothes but also takes up less space, whether stored in the bottom of your wardrobe, underneath a storage bed, or elsewhere.
And because vacuum packs are transparent, you can easily spot where all your garments are stored without unpacking every bag. Although to keep everything fresh, it’s worth adding in some silica crystals to trap moisture, which will prevent the onset of mold, mildew, and unpleasant odors.
However, although vacuum packs are a good solution, they are not suitable for all clothing. Zips Cleaners explains that vacuum-packed clothes can be damaged if pressed too tightly, which may prevent them from returning to their original shape. For this reason, it suggests using other methods to store wool, cashmere, or silk garments.
Storage boxes
Standard storage boxes will take up more space than vacuum bags, but if you have to place them on display, they have a more attractive aesthetic.
IKEA has a great range of storage boxes that come in all shapes and sizes, including plastic and fabric options. The HEMMAFIXARE storage case, $22 at IKEA, is a particularly flexible option, as it has two zips to gain easy access to clothing — one on the top and another on the side.
I currently use something similar to the STUK storage case, $14 at IKEA, which I hide away under my storage bed.
But as mentioned above, it’s always a good idea to add silica gel sachets to your storage boxes to absorb excess moisture.
Should you use moth balls?
Mothballs are pesticides and are designed to kill clothes moths and other fabric pests. And because they are pesticides, they are regulated in the U.S. by the Environmental Protection Agency. Therefore, according to the National Pesticide Information Center, when using mothballs, take care to use them as directed on the label, as any other use is deemed illegal. They can also harm people, pets, and the environment, so great care is needed when handling them.
To use mothballs correctly, they should be placed in an airtight container. If the container is not airtight, toxic vapors can escape into the environment and cause health issues. And, they should never be used around food.
As an alternative to traditional mothballs, Dr Killigan’s produces eco-friendly moth traps without the dangers associated with conventional chemical pesticides. You can pick up a 6-pack of the Clothing Moth Trap for $24 at Amazon.
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