Storing Off-Season Clothing

Don't try to keep all your clothes in your closet. Weed through your clothes from the passing season, keeping only what you love and donating the rest. Moths and other insects are attracted to the dirt in fabrics, not the fabrics themselves, so wash or dry-clean clothes before storing them. Be sure to treat any stains now, as they often darken while in storage. Remove clothes from dry-cleaning bags before storing them, and put them in breathable garment bags. Do minor repairs and re-affix buttons before storing clothes, so they're ready to wear next year.

Stack folded clothes loosely in plastic bins with tight-fitting lids, and be sure to label the bins. Dampness and temperature extremes in attics and basements can be damaging to fabrics, so store the bins in a closet or under a bed. Put hanging clothes in a guest bedroom closet, or if you must store them in an attic or basement, purchase a rack with a natural canvas cover. If you use cedar blocks to repel moths, be sure the cedar is not in contact with any fabrics, as the oils in the wood can stain clothing. Lightly sand the cedar blocks to refresh their scent and effectiveness. There are also sprays on the market that you can spray directly on the garment to prevent those damaging grazed areas and holes.

This is also a good time to weed through any clothes that don't fit you right now. Don't leave them in the closet where you see them every day and feel bad about those pounds you need to lose! Donate what you don't absolutely love, and pack the rest up in bins with a label, so you know where they are when you need them. I like to keep a separate bin under the guestroom bed for a few in-between-seasons clothes.

Copyright 2007 by Cara Kinning, ORGANIZED FOR LIFE

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