There are numerous ways that you can protect your clothing from pests and damage in general when they are not being worn. Something which is frequently overlooked is that winter clothing needs a little additional care when it is being stored for the warmer seasons. 

This is due to the different materials which are used, and the types of protective clothing which cannot be treated the same as cashmere, for example. Here are five steps to help you store your winter clothing. Click here for more tips to storing winter clothes. 

Step One: Clean Everything

Even if you think that your winter clothes are clean, it is important that everything gets another wash to prepare them for storage. This prevents any bacteria that could be on any of the pieces from spreading to other items, and protects the clothes from additional damage. 

Of course, certain fabrics will need careful treatment when it comes to thoroughly cleaning them. Because of this, it can take a little time to get all of your winter clothes ready for storing. Cashmere, for example, typically needs to be hand washed rather than added to the machine. This can cause significant damage and even lead to shrinking. 

Make sure that all of your clothing has been cleaned and dried before getting ready to store your items. 

Step Two: Make Necessary Repairs

The next step to getting your winter clothes ready is carrying out any repairs which are needed. This includes fixing any loose stitching, reinforcing any fabric that has worn down over time, filling holes that have opened up, and anything else that is needed. 

To save money, you could do this by hand. However, some people prefer taking their damaged winter clothes to a tailor or seamstress who can make the repairs for them. 

The advantage of this step is that you will be able to unpack your winter clothes when the season begins, and be able to wear everything right away. You do not want to reach for a particular item only to find that it is still ripped from last winter. 

Step Three: Sort Materials

Similarly to washing your clothes, you will then need to sort all of the materials. Create piles of items that are made out of the same fabric. These can be stored together. More delicate fabric or clothing pieces will need to be packed separately, or even hung depending on what they are made out of. 

If you are unsure about how to store a certain item, then you can take a closer look at the clothing tag. Likewise, you could check out the link above for more suggestions on how you can protect your winter clothing over time. 

Step Four: Fold Or Hang

As we’ve mentioned, you will need to consider whether to fold certain items from your winter closet, or hang them. This can be determined by the fabric that each piece has been made from, and how delicate the fibers are. 

If you want to store certain items upright so that they don’t lose their shape over time, then you could hang them inside a garment bag. This is a great way of keeping your winter clothing safe, without causing any damage to them when they are not in use. 

Similarly, certain items of clothing have been known to become damaged over time when they are hung in the same position. Because of this, it could be worth carefully researching the different types of fabric that your winter clothing has been made out of, and how you can protect everything. 

Most people carefully fold more flexible items from their winter closet, and place them into a breathable container or sealed bag. The type of container used should be carefully considered ahead of time, so that you can make sure you have enough of your chosen option. 

Step Five: Choose A Dry Place

Finally, once everything has been carefully packed away into appropriate containers or garment bags, you can choose a dry place to store your winter clothing. 

The ideal conditions for storing clothing when it isn’t being used are a dry area that does not get direct sunlight, and is a relatively consistent temperature. Keeping your winter clothing in this environment can protect the quality of them over time. 

Summary

Winter clothing varies in the fabric it has been made out of. Because of this, you should take careful consideration into how you are storing your items at the end of the season.