Although April showers are supposed to bring May flowers, all they are bringing, at the moment, is soggy feet or you being cooped up inside. Don’t let it get you down, though. Embrace being trapped indoors by the less-than-lovely weather outside and Spring clean, declutter, edit and organize your clothes closets. Look over your winter clothing before you pack it away. Decide which items are keepers for next year and which aren’t. Try on your shorts and swimsuits and dream about the nice weather ahead. Make a list of items you might need to fill in the gaps.
When packing away out-of-season items, keep in mind these storage tips to help preserve items made with quality fabrics, leather or fur.
- Remember that ventilation is important when storing natural fabrics like cotton, wool, silk, linen, suede and leather.
- Do not use plastic bags (including vacuum-seal bags) because they can permanently crush fabrics and furs. In addition, the airtight seals can cause mildew and mold growth.
- If you’re hanging garments, use non-rusting hangers and white, muslin garment covers. Allow sufficient space between items for good air circulation.
- When storing garments in boxes or bins, use sheets of acid-free, white tissue to separate items and line the containers.
- Save space by utilizing unused suitcases to store items made of fabrics that can be folded and stacked safely. Place the heaviest items at the bottom of the pile. Stack items loosely.
- Not all clothes should be folded and stacked. Fur must be hung from the shoulders. To avoid crushing fur, do not put it in a plastic bag or pack it in between hung items. For best results, fur should be stored in professional cold storage.
- Use cedar blocks, etc. to control pests. Because they are toxic, avoid using mothballs if children might have access to them.
- The glue in dresser drawers or trunks that are lined with wallpaper or adhesive liner paper can attract pests so avoid storing clothing in them. The same holds true for glued boxes.
- Do not use starch or fabric finish on any garments that are going to be stored.
Start working on your off-season storage project now and, with any luck, you’ll be done in time to go outside and enjoy the Spring flowers that arrive in May!
