Key Takeaways

• Winter clothes should be washed, repaired, and dried before storing
• Plastic bins are ideal for safely and securely storing winter clothing
• You should avoid storing winter clothes in attics, basements, and garages
• Using silica gel packets and natural repellents can help protect winter clothing
• Storage Hub offers climate-controlled storage for winter coats and clothing

When spring arrives and the weather starts to warm up, it can be hard to find a spot to store all your winter clothes. Learn more about how to store winter clothes to keep them fresh when the cold weather returns.

• Step 1: Clean and Repair Winter Clothing Before Storage
• Step 2: Choose the Right Storage Container for Winter Clothing
• Step 3: Fold or Hang Winter Clothing Before Storage
• Step 4: Find the Ideal Storage Location for Winter Clothing
• Tips for Storing Your Winter Clothing
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Ensure Your Winter Clothing Is Ready for Next Season with Proper Storage

Step 1: Clean and Repair Winter Clothing before Storage

Storing winter clothes isn’t as simple as tossing them into a labeled box and putting them in your storage space. To ensure your winter clothes are in good condition when you need them next winter, start by cleaning and repairing any damaged items.

Check the tags on your winter clothing for care instructions. Synthetic jackets and cotton sweaters can usually go in the washing machine in a cold, gentle setting, but some items may need to be hand-washed and hung up to dry. Washing all your winter clothes before storing them can help prevent stains and odor, mold growth, and even pest infestations.

Any damaged winter clothing should be repaired before storing it. Small tears and punctures can worsen over time, so repairing your clothing now can prevent further damage when you’re getting your winter clothes out next year.

Step 2: Choose the Right Storage Container for Winter Clothing

Choosing the right storage container is essential when it comes to seasonal storage for winter clothing. Let’s take a closer look at some of the different types of containers and their pros and cons.

Plastic bins

Plastic bins are used for everything from seasonal clothing and decor to electronics and more. While plastic bins don’t create a fully sealed environment, they do a good job of keeping moisture and pests out. It’s important to ensure the clothes you’re storing in these plastic bins are dry to keep moisture from building up inside the bin.

Another big benefit of plastic bins is their ability to stack. If you want to maximize limited storage space, you can stack several plastic bins on top of each other without crushing them. Other storage options, such as cardboard boxes, aren’t as resilient, especially when they’re exposed to moisture.

Cardboard boxes

Cardboard boxes are a simple, cost-effective way to store winter clothing. You can pick up cardboard boxes for a few bucks at various stores, or you can get them for free from grocery stores and other retail businesses. You might even have some cardboard boxes lying around your home.

However, cardboard boxes aren’t sealed, so they’re not as resistant to moisture. Cardboard is highly permeable, which means it can absorb moisture that can damage your winter clothes. This moisture absorption can also damage the cardboard itself, which means you no longer have secure storage for winter clothes.

Generally speaking, cardboard boxes should be avoided for winter clothing storage.

Vacuum-sealed bags

Vacuum-sealed bags have become an increasingly popular storage method for clothing, and there’s a good reason for that. Unlike cardboard boxes and plastic containers, vacuum-sealed bags create a fully sealed environment that protects your winter clothes from moisture and pests. A simple pump makes it easy to store and retrieve winter clothes in no time.

The downside to vacuum-sealed bags is the potential for damage. Some materials, such as cashmere, can be damaged by vacuum sealing, and any moisture trapped inside vacuum-sealed bags can damage clothing over time. Winter clothing can also become wrinkled after long-term storage, which can be an issue for items that can’t be machine-dried.

Step 3: Fold or Hang Winter Clothing Before Storage

One of the biggest challenges with long vs. short-term storage is keeping your winter clothes in good condition. Here’s how to store your winter clothing to avoid wrinkles, stretching, and other damage.

When to fold winter clothing

Ideally, you want to fold certain types of winter clothing to keep them from stretching. Materials like wool, cashmere, and knits should be folded before storing because they’re more prone to stretching. More resilient materials like cotton and polyester don’t tend to stretch as much, so you don’t have to worry about neatly folding them before putting them away.

Folding your clothes doesn’t just prevent stretching; it also helps you maximize your storage space. However, avoid stuffing too many delicate items into a single bin to keep them from getting damaged.

When to hang winter clothing

Delicate winter clothing should be folded, but you can hang up more resilient items, such as winter coats and jackets, before storing them. Hanging your coats and jackets up before storing gives them a chance to dry fully without damaging the insulation. As long as you’re not working with a delicate material like cashmere or high-quality wool, you should be able to hang most of your winter coats and jackets safely.

Pay attention to how you’re hanging coats and jackets. Make sure each coat sits properly on the hanger to allow the coats to keep their original shape.

Step 4: Find the Ideal Storage Location for Winter Clothing

Once your winter clothing is cleaned, repaired, and ready for storage, you can focus on where to store your winter clothes. Choosing the right location is a crucial aspect of storing winter clothes, whether you choose a closet or a storage unit.

Best storage locations for winter clothing

There are several good spots around your home for storing winter clothes, but the most important thing to focus on is finding a dry environment. Here are a few ideas:

• Closet. If you have some closet space you’re not using, that’s a great place to store a few containers of winter clothes. You can also hang winter coats and jackets in unused closets to save space and keep them dry throughout the winter.
• Under the bed. Under-bed storage is another great spot for winter clothing. You can store winter clothes in the pull-out drawers or buy plastic containers that are designed to fit beneath your bed.
• Self-storage unit. If you have a shared bedroom with limited space, a climate-controlled storage unit may be the best way to store winter clothing without cluttering your home.

Places to avoid when storing winter clothing

Storing winter clothes in areas that are prone to moisture or contamination can be a problem. Attic storage is a common place to store winter clothes, but storing clothes in damp, musty attics can damage clothing. This also applies to basements and garages, especially in humid climates where moisture is a problem throughout the year.

Tips for Storing Your Winter Clothing

Once you understand the basics of how to store winter clothes, you can use some of these tips to make your winter storage routine even more effective:

• Avoid plastic bags. Plastic bags are prone to punctures, which can allow moisture in and damage your clothing.
• Check in. Check on your winter clothing periodically throughout the year to make sure it’s in good condition.
• Label storage containers. Put a detailed label on each container so you know where to find your coats, sweaters, gloves, and scarves without rummaging through containers.
• Organize by category. Organizing your winter storage by category makes it easier to find what you need, and you can make the most important items easy to access.
• Use silica gel. Silica gel packets help absorb moisture and prevent damage to winter clothes.
• Use a natural repellent. Natural repellents keep pests out and protect your clothes.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start storing winter clothes?

You should start preparing your winter clothes for storage between the late spring and the start of summer, waiting for the weather to warm up before putting everything away. Waiting until late spring helps you stay prepared for potential late cold snaps.

How long can winter clothing be stored without risking damage?

Winter clothes can safely be stored for 6 to 12 months without risking damage, but it’s important to make sure each item is washed and dried before storing. You can also use silica gel packets and natural pest repellents to protect winter clothes for long-term storage.

Is it better to store winter clothing at home or in a storage unit?

Storing winter clothes in a climate-controlled storage unit can be a safer alternative to storing clothing at home, especially if your home is prone to humidity. When storing winter clothes in a storage unit, it’s important to choose a climate-controlled unit.

Ensure Your Winter Clothing Is Ready for Next Season with Proper Storage

Learning how to store winter clothes makes it quick and easy to switch back to your winter wardrobe. As long as you’re following these basic tips and choosing a safe storage spot, you’re good to go.

If you don’t have enough storage space at home for your winter clothes, Storage Hub can help. Find a Storage facility near you to store your winter clothes today.