Seasonal storage of clothes

Short answer: Clothes that will be stored for half a year need to be clean and completely dry before they are packed away. Stains and moisture turn into damage during the months when nobody checks on them, so a little preparation now saves disappointment when the season changes again.

Wash everything before storing it

Invisible stains from sweat and food attract moths and become permanent if they sit for months. A garment can look clean and still carry traces of a single day of wear. So wash everything, including what you only wore once. A bamboo hoodie for men from last winter should go through the machine first too.

Completely dry before packing

A damp item in a closed box starts to smell within a month. Clothes can feel dry on the surface and still be damp in seams, cuffs and waistbands. Let them hang an extra day rather than one too few. This applies especially to thicker pieces and long sleeve styles, where the sleeves dry last.

Breathable rather than airtight

A box that can breathe is better for textiles than an airtight bag, because the small amount of residual moisture that is always there can escape. A fabric box, a cardboard box or a basket with a lid works well. Small items like socks for men can go in a cloth bag so they stay together.

Sort by season

Pack clothes by when they will be needed again, not by where they usually sit in the wardrobe. That way you know exactly which box to bring out when the weather turns. Write the contents on a note on the box. It takes a minute now and saves you opening every box to find one particular sweater.

Fold rather than hang

Soft and heavy pieces like sweaters and hoodies can lose their shape if they hang on a hanger for half a year. The shoulders get bumps, and the fabric slowly stretches downwards. Fold them loosely instead and put the heaviest pieces at the bottom. Avoid pressing too much into the box, as tightly packed clothes get sharp creases.

Choose the right place

A dry, dark place with a stable temperature is best. A wardrobe in a heated room or the space under a bed often works well. An attic with large temperature swings is the worst choice, because warmth and cold can alternate and cause condensation. A damp basement is not good either, as moisture slowly works into the fabric.

Check in along the way

It helps to open the boxes once in the middle of the period. Smell the contents, look for small holes and give the pieces a light shake. If you find signs of moths, it is much easier to deal with early than after half a year. The clothes also get a little fresh air.

When the clothes come out again

When the season changes, it is a good idea to air the clothes for a few hours before wearing them. The stale smell disappears, and the creases partly fall out on their own. If an item still smells, a short wash usually sorts it out. Use the moment to set aside what you did not wear last year.

Frequently asked questions

What should you do before putting clothes away?

Wash everything and make sure it is completely dry. Stains and moisture turn into permanent damage over half a year, even when the clothes look clean.

Should you use airtight bags?

Only for a short time. Over several months a box that can breathe is better, because residual moisture is not locked in with the clothes.

Where should clothes be stored?

Somewhere dry and dark with a stable temperature. An attic with large temperature swings is the worst choice, and a damp basement is not much better.