Top 5 Tips For Storing Your Clothes

There could be many reasons you may need to store clothing or textile items in a self-storage unit, whether for long-term purposes such as seasonal clothing such as ski wear or for shorter rentals like moving house or possessions from a loved one. Storing clothes in self-storage can help give you space in your home and more time to decide what needs to be kept or thrown out.

Prep the clothes before storing

It may seem like a hassle, but washing and ironing your clothes before you pack them away will help keep them in better condition in the long run, especially if you are storing them long-term. Any stains can be much more stubborn to remove after a while as the dirt will have sunk into the fabric's fibres.

Get the right clothes protection

• Vacuum bags are sufficient for short-term storing of clothes but aren't a good idea for any natural fibre clothing as they can heavily crease the clothes. Any clothes with natural fibres such as linen, cotton, silk and wool need air to help maintain their structure and quality.
• Plastic tubs are the ideal way to store clothing and textiles, allowing the fibres to 'breathe' and avoid heavy creasing. The tubs are more accessible to stack and ideal for any antique clothing that may need more protection.
• Plastic bags should be a no-go when storing clothes, especially if they're being stored over a long period. They trap moisture very quickly, can cause mildew to form on the fabric, and leave your clothes with that distinctive musty smell.

Keep your clothes fresh

It's not the easiest to keep clothing fresh while they're in storage and the smell of mothballs isn't the most enjoyable! There are plenty of natural alternatives that can keep your clothes smelling nice as well as being a deterrent to moths.

• Cedar chips or blocks have an aromatic aroma. You can hang them next to suits and jackets or pop them in the tub next to your clothes. Change them periodically to keep them fresh.
• Dried mint is another natural deterrent which can help keep moths at bay and your clothes smelling fresh. Make a sachet of dried mint or cotton balls soaked with peppermint oil to release the fragrance - be careful to keep the oil off the clothes as they can stain.
• You can easily purchase dried lavender satchels at the store, or if you want it extra fresh, you could make your own with small hessian pouches.

Make sure your unit is cool, dry and dark.

You don't want your belongings to incur any unnecessary damage from the elements outside, so ensure where you are storing your clothes is a consistently cool temperature, dry and out of direct sunlight. All Store First storage units are internal storage pods kept clean, dry and cool to ensure our customer's belongings stay protected all year round.

Check-in on your items

If you plan to store clothes or textiles for an extended time, check your storage periodically. Boxes may have fallen if not stacked correctly, and if you are holding any valuable clothing, it'll give you peace of mind to check they are still in good condition and protected in the container you have put them in.

Need self-storage for clothing and textiles? Find a storage facility near you or get in touch with a member of our team who can help you with your storage needs.