Does your wardrobe groan under the weight of clothes to suit every occasion? Do your outfit selections sometimes take hours as you rummage through overstuffed drawers in search of that shirt you haven’t seen in years?
Do you dream of a capsule wardrobe but can’t face the thought of throwing out many of your beloved items – even the ones you rarely wear?
These are just some of the reasons people decide to store their clothes. But when people decide against storing their clothes, they almost all cite the same reason: worry that their clothes will get damaged during storage.
This is a legitimate concern, because if you don’t want to throw out an item to thin out your wardrobe, you won’t want to lose it to damage either.
Here at Bingham Self Storage, we’re experts in storing all kinds of items, from furniture to cars. So we know exactly how to store your clothes in a way that makes the most of your storage space and protects your clothes.
In this guide, we’ll answer some of the most commonly asked questions about how to store clothes, including where to store them and what to store them in.
What to consider when storing clothes
When storing clothes for periods longer than a couple of weeks, there are two risks to be avoided: pests and mould.
Both of these can damage your clothes to the point of leaving them unwearable, so you should try to minimise exposure to either as much as possible.
Pests
Depending on where you store your clothes, the ‘pests’ that pose the biggest risk to your clothes are insects, rodents or birds.
In the UK, insects like silverfish or moths are most likely. If they get into your clothes they can start to eat through the fibres, weakening them and creating holes.
In certain environments, rodents can be drawn to your clothes as somewhere warm and comfortable to nest. They can also eat through the fibres to gain access, or make space, and there is also a risk of them damaging your clothes by soiling them.
Birds are not going to gnaw holes in your clothes. But if your items are stored incorrectly they can still soil them and even use them for nesting so it’s important your items are protected against them.
Mould
Another completely preventable yet incredibly common risk to stored clothes is mould. This happens when moisture is trapped in or around your clothes, allowing mould or mildew to thrive.
Once mould starts to grow it can leave stubborn stains and a nasty odour that can be impossible to remove. It is best to prevent or avoid mould in your clothes, as treatment is rarely effective.
Is it better to store clothes in plastic bags or cardboard boxes?
It is a lot safer to store your clothes in plastic than it is to keep them in cardboard boxes.
This is because plastic is more resistant to pests like moths, mice and silverfish. These pests will eat through cardboard and then through your clothes. But with plastic, they’ll struggle to get in.
Plastic is also more durable. It won’t buckle under weight as cardboard boxes do, and they won’t get soggy if unexpected humidity occurs. Using plastic containers or boxes, rather than bags, is a more rigid and protective solution.
Plastic boxes can also be transparent, giving visibility of their contents. Also a benefit.
However, there are drawbacks to plastic, too. Plastic doesn’t ‘breathe’ so it traps air in with your clothes, and it also traps the moisture in the air in with your clothes. And as we’ve covered, moisture is as bad for your clothes as pests are.
One of the best options for longer-term clothes storage is plastic vacuum bags. By vacuuming the air out, you remove the moisture – and thus the risk of mould. As long as your clothes are fully dry when they are stored, this is by far the safest way to store them for prolonged periods.
This storage method is also space-saving, so you can maximise your storage space.
The one risk with vacuum-sealed bags is that weak or natural fibres can be damaged by the vacuum seal. For clothes made of cashmere, silk, leather or other natural or delicate fabrics, you should stick to hanging your clothes in garment bags or folding them into rigid plastic containers. These should also be stored somewhere with little-to-no humidity.
How to Store Clothes in Bags
The first step when storing your clothes is to wash them, so no nasty smells or dirt get ‘stored’ with them. The second step, and one of the most important, is to dry your clothes.
They need to be absolutely dry. Even if you tumble dry them, make sure to leave them somewhere warm and dry for a few days to make sure they are aired and completely free of moisture. Skipping this step is a guarantee your clothes will be damaged – best case scenario, they’ll emerge smelling musty. Worst case, they will grow mould.
Once your clothes are dry, simply fold them and place them in the bag. Then, attach a vacuum cleaner or pump to the designated slot to remove all the air inside the bag. The bag will start to shrink, crumple around your clothes – keep it attached until all the air is removed and the clothes flatten as well.
How to Store Clothes in Cardboard Boxes
Cardboard boxes are a standard storage choice. As we’ve explained though, they are not a good choice for clothes.
If you want or need to store clothes in boxes, then it’s important to use heavy-duty ones that can withstand any pests. It’s also important to secure the boxes using packing tape. If you’re storing in climate-controlled conditions, then this will obviously help, but you should always store your boxes above ground level – using a palette or shelving. Somewhere cool, dry, and dark is best – though specialist self-storage with climate control and ventilation is the best choice.
You can also use silica sachets to soak up any moisture that does get in. Similarly, cedar balls or lavender bags can help deter moths and other pests.
Where to store clothes long-term
A lot of factors are going to affect where you store clothes. The best option is somewhere that you can control the humidity and temperature – like a dedicated self-storage facility.
But if you’re only storing a small amount of clothes, or you’re on a tight budget, specialist storage might not be an option.
The most common option for home storage is in the loft. Unfortunately, this is also a bad option.
As hot air rises, and the insulation of loft spaces in the UK varies, they are often very humid spaces that are subjected to severe temperature changes. This is seasonal, but even day-to-day temperatures can fluctuate causing condensation.
Lofts are also rarely completely sealed, so they are at risk of some type of pests too. And, because they’re not always an easily accessible space, you’re unlikely to spot these pests before they do damage.
Another common storage option is a spare room or large cupboard. As they’re usually easier to access than a loft, they are often a better choice but are still not without problems.
Spare rooms will also be heated, so the fluctuating temperatures and resulting condensation issues are still a concern. The risks of pests going unnoticed is admittedly much smaller, and temperatures might not hit such extremes, so it can be a better choice, especially if using vacuum bags.
The final storage option for your own home is usually the garage. And this is possibly the least suitable space. Garages tend to be cold and damp, which are the perfect conditions to grow mould. They are also ground-level, often with outside access, leaving them at risk of bigger pests like birds or rodents.
Only store in your garage if you must, and only for short periods of time.
How to store clothes in a spare bedroom or dressing room
If you’re storing clothes in your home, a spare room is the safest place. If the space here is at a premium, follow the steps for storing your clothes in vacuum-sealed bags, and your clothes should be safe for a few months between seasons.
Just make sure to store those bags out of direct sunlight and away from a direct heat source like a radiator.
However, if you have space, it is a better idea to store items hung on clothing rails. This removes the risk of your clothes being damaged by the vacuum-packing process, while still limiting the chance of mould growth. You should still monitor the environment for moths and other insect pests.
How to Store Clothes in the Loft
If your loft is well ventilated and insulated to prevent major temperature changes, then it can be a suitable storage space.
Realistically, everything you store in a loft should be in vacuum bags, then boxes or containers of some kind, to avoid issues with dust and lessen any chance of rodents or mould.
How to store clothes in a self-storage unit
If you’re going to store clothes for more than a couple of months, consider a self-storage option – especially if you have a lot of clothes and other items to store. A climate-controlled and secure storage unit will help protect your items against pests, moisture and mould.
With a storage unit, you don’t need to worry about vacuuming them either, as the temperature will be controlled and steady. Instea,d you can fold them into clear plastic containers, which will keep them safe from pests and mould.
How to Store Seasonal Clothing
With the somewhat changeable weather in the UK and temperatures fluctuating between up to 30°C in the summer and down below freezing in the winter, British folk have to have almost entirely different wardrobes for summer and winter. This can throw up storage space issues.
As such, storing seasonal clothing is a hot topic within home organisation and storage circles, so we have put together some tips on how to store seasonal clothing in the easiest and best possible way.
How to Store Summer Clothing
To effectively store summer clothing during the cooler months, follow these easy steps:
- Sort and Select: Go through your summer wardrobe and decide what you want to keep, donate or even sell on a site like Vinted. Only store items that you actually plan to wear again.
- Clean Before Storing: Wash and iron clothes before storing to prevent stains and odours from setting in. Dirt and oils can also attract pests.
- Use the Right Containers: Use vacuum sealed bags where possible. If not, choose breathable containers to reduce moisture buildup.
- Label Everything: It’s always a good idea to label your containers to make it easier to find what you need when the time comes.
- Hang or Fold Appropriately: Hang items like dresses and certain fabrics that can stretch or lose their shape on padded hangers. Fold other items neatly to prevent creases.
- Choose a Cool, Dry Place: Store your clothing in a cool, dry area of your home.
How to Store Winter Clothing
The steps to storing winter clothing are very similar. If you want to store your thick winter clothes during the hot season, check out these bullet points:
- Clean Everything First: Wash or dry-clean all items before storing to prevent stains setting in and deter pests. More sure clothes are fully dry before putting them in storage.
- Sort and Declutter: Decide what to keep, donate or throw away. Store only what you really need to save space.
- Use the Right Containers: Breathable storage containers are ideal for most clothes. Again, the best choice would be vacuum bags if possible.
- Vacuum Seal Bulky Items: Definitely try and vacuum seal very bulky winter items like heavy winter coats or down jackets to save space.
- Protect Delicate Items: Wrap delicate fabrics and knitwear in acid-free tissue paper to prevent creasing and fabric degradation.
- Fold and Roll to Avoid Wrinkles: Fold heavier items like sweaters to prevent stretching. Roll other items to save space and minimise wrinkles.
- Label Containers: Label all your containers and bags so it’s easy to find what you need when the temperature drops again.
- Store in a Cool, Dry Place: Always store clothes away from direct sunlight, in a cool and dry room. Avoid lofts and basements if they’re prone to extreme temperature changes or humidity.
Storing Clothes at Bingham Self Storage
At Bingham Self Storage, situated just outside of Nottingham, we would be all too happy to store your clothes in one of our storage facilities. There are many options available in terms of size, shape and unit material, with both short and long term clothes storage on offer. Get in touch with us for more info.
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