Spring is in full bloom, which means it’s time to put away our heavy winter clothes that have been keeping us warm all winter long. Storing away winter clothes is one of my favorite tasks on my spring cleaning list, as it signals a new season of warmer weather and lighter clothing.
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Winter clothing can be tricky to put away because of its size, but if you don’t store them properly, your clothing may become exposed to dust, moisture, and other environmental factors that may damage them overtime. Here are 5 easy ways to properly store your winter clothes, so they stay fresh and ready to wear next season.
Donate Unworn Items
Before you begin packing your winter clothes, consider getting rid of tattered items and donating pieces you didn’t wear. It’s an opportunity to assess what you want for the upcoming season and to get rid of any items that no longer fit or are out of style. This practical approach will help you save storage space and will make unpacking much easier for the next year.
Wash Your Clothes
Wash every single article of clothing and make sure they are completely dry before storing. Refer to the wash label attached to your clothing and create piles for items that need to be dry cleaned, hand washed, use cold or hot water, etc. This makes the washing process much easier, and you’ll be able to tackle each pile efficiently.
Did you know? Natural fibres like cotton and wool are the most likely to host mold, but it can also grow on synthetics too. So make sure your clothing is completely dry before storing away.
Choose Your Storage Options
Choose a suitable storage container for your clothing. If you have a lot to store away and very little space, I recommend using vacuum-sealed bags. Another option is air-tight containers. As long as your storage containers are air-tight and moisture-proof, your clothing will stay fresh.
Tip: If you have a storage bin that has a strong plastic smell, create a paste solution using water and baking soda and wipe down the bin. Allow the bin to sit outside or in a dry and well-ventilated area for a day or two and rinse off and dry before using.
Keep Clothes Smelling Fresh
If you’re using a storage bin that held your spring/summer clothes, be sure to thoroughly wipe the bin before storing your clean winter clothes. You can include several dryer sheets in between clothing to keep them smelling fresh. Some natural alternatives you can use include adding several drops of essential oils to a wool dryer ball or paper towel. To protect fine fabrics, you can also include cedar blocks in your airtight storage bins to repel moths.
Tip: To freshen any kind of clothing that has been sitting in storage, simply hang them outside for a few minutes.
Proper Storage
Store your vacuum-sealed bags and bins in a dry, dark, clean, and cool area. This can be in a spare room, closet, or underneath your bed. Avoid areas that lack airflow and temperature control, such as attics or garages. The fluctuation in temperatures or humidity can cause mold growth which can ruin your clothing and lead to unpleasant smells.
With these tips in mind, you can keep your winter clothing smelling fresh until next season! What are some ways you keep your clothing smelling fresh in storage? I’d love to hear your tips. For more posts relating to productivity, visit my tag here.
Fabulous suggestions! I think it’s a great idea to keep clothing in storage bins smelling fresh by using wool dryer balls infused with aromatic oils. Have a good weekend!
https://www.melodyjacob.com/2023/04/spring-and-summer-basics-every-woman-should-own.html
Thank you for reading Melody, I hope you enjoyed your weekend!
These are all such great tips… I’m SO ready to put those Winter clothes away! When storing, I like to use scented sachets to keep them smelling yummy. 🙂
Scented sachets are a great idea! Thank you for reading Heidi!
Throughout the seasons I don’t actually store the clothes for other seasons. But if I had more space in my ottoman bed, I possibly might pop them under. Maybe that can be a task I practice this year. Thank you for sharing these helpful tips. I didn’t know that wools and things are more likely to host mould!
Lauren x
Yes, it’s so important to store your clothes properly so you can prevent mold growth! Thank you for reading Lauren!
I don’t normally store my winter cloths away. I know I should but, I’m one who just keeps everything available all year round. However, I did enjoy the tips, especially the one on how to get the plastic smell out of a bin.
That’s great Wendy, stick to what works best for you! I store mine away for more closet space haha. Thank you for reading!
I don’t really out clothes away seasonally as I don’t currently have the storage space but I think I will separate them out and see if I can at least do something to keep them fresh while they are not being worn. Thanks for this!
There are so many ways to keep them fresh, even if they’re hanging in the closet! I love using essential oils or just hanging them outside for a bit. Thank you for reading Molly!
I am actually planning to put away my winter clothes tomorrow and these tips are pretty helpful. Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad they’re helpful. Thank you for reading Fritzie!
These are great tips for getting prepared for storing winter clothing and make sure people don’t mess up their stuff in the process.
Absolutely, it makes unpacking for next year much easier. Thank you for reading!
Wonderful tips! I like the idea of using essential oils on wool dryer balls to keep clothing fresh in storage bins! Have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you Jodie! It’s my favorite natural alternative to keeping your clothes smelling fresh. Thank you for reading and have a lovely weekend!
It’s the time of year to start going through clothing again. These are really great tips for storing clothing.
Yes, I can’t wait to take out my spring wardrobe. Thank you for reading!
These are great tips! My daughter has a collection of winter jackets and pants that we have been storing under the bed, so it would be good to go through them and donate some. Also, that’s a good tip to use dryer sheets between the clothing to keep them smelling fresh.
That’s a great idea Karalee! There’s always something to donate and I love the extra space I have afterwards. Thank you for reading!