When it comes to winter, there are a lot of things to look forward to. Whether it’s the relief from the summer heat, the hot beverages to enjoy during the cold nights, or the joy of having snowball fights with your loved ones, there are many chances to create some unique memories. But the arrival of winter also means that it is time to buckle up for some necessary preparations to survive the cold weather. And winter-specific clothing is one of the most important necessities at this time.
However, once it is time to bid farewell to the chilly days, the need for all those bulky clothes also disappears. You no longer need your hoodies and jackets for several months to follow. So what should you do with the warm clothes that are taking up so much space in your home?
If you keep them in your closet, not only will you not have enough space for your summer wardrobe, but your winter garments will end up gathering dust too. It’ll be a headache to wash them over and over again when you’re not even using them in summer.
Therefore, to make things easier for yourself, consider storing your winter wear efficiently. Taking some useful measures for proper storage will keep your attire safe and durable in addition to solving your storage issues. Check out some pro tips for storing your winter clothing given below:
1. Look for A Good Storage Unit
The most efficient way to reduce some of your burden is to put your things away in a storage unit. Renting a suitably sized warehouse for your belongings can help keep space in your home for the necessities of the current season. Moreover, it can save your place from looking too overcrowded with unnecessary stuff. Just look for a storage unit in a location nearest to your home. Storing your unwanted items away will help you keep them safe for many seasons to come. You can also store your summer necessities there when you spot the first snow of the year. It will allow you to enjoy every season with minimal clutter at your place.
2. Only Pack What You Intend to Use
Whether you’re storing your stuff in a warehouse or at home, make sure you don’t pack unusable stuff. At the end of the season, it is better to do a little assessment of your clothing and discard anything you feel won’t last another season. Storing useless items will only increase your troubles. You’ll have to rent a bigger warehouse at a greater price or buy multiple storage boxes only to find expired items once you open them next season. Top it up with buying new items to fulfill your needs next winter, and your expenses are already doubled. So, only store the clothing that seems durable. If you have kids, keep in mind that those little buds bloom into flowers before you know it. Therefore, don’t store any of their winter clothing that you believe won’t fit them next year.
3. Wash and Dry for Proper Storage
For proper storage, you need to put some effort into making your clothing ready to be put away. Wash all your winter necessities, including your blankets, quilts, boots, and coats, in addition to items of everyday clothing. In case some items require dry-cleaning or hand-washing, don’t let laziness take over. It’s better to engage in some labor now than to face frustration and regret next season at finding your clothes expired. And take care not to store anything wet. Everything should be completely dry before you start wrapping it up for storage. Doing so will prevent the clothes from getting moldy.
4. Use Vacuum Sealed-Bags
Using vacuum-sealed bags can take care of many of your concerns in one step. They not only keep the clothes clean but also prevent dust from getting in. But they also leave no space for insects or moisture to crawl into the bags. This helps give a long expiration date to your clothes. In addition, vacuum-sealed bags make for an efficient storage option by reducing the size of your winter clothes. They are designed in a way to squeeze your clothes into a smaller size for storage. But despite all these advantages, you need to take some precautions while using them. For instance, not all clothing materials are suitable for storing in these bags. So, you should do your research before you start stuffing up the vacuum-sealed bags with everything you have.
5. Use Plastic Containers
Plastic containers are ideal for storing winter clothes to keep molds and bugs from feasting on your favorite dresses. They also provide significant protection against moisture and humidity, boosting the durability of clothes. A plus point to consider while using plastic containers is that you can put labels on them and store similar items together. Make categories and store your coats, boots, blankets, sweaters, and jeans in separate boxes. It will save much time and energy during searching once you’re in need of anything specific later on.
6. Prevent Moths from Invading
Sure, plastic containers and vacuum-sealed bags seem to be enough protection to keep unwanted trouble from approaching your clothes. But moths are your biggest enemy when it comes to winter clothing. You need to be extra careful and take some additional steps to prevent them from finding their way into your storage. So, while you’re storing your clothes in sealed containers and bags, put some lavender sachets or powdered herbs inside your clothing and the bags. Moths hate the smell of these things, so there are fewer chances of them invading your storage territory.
Conclusion
While storing winter clothes is one challenge, you also need to make sure that you store them properly to make them last an entire season of being locked up in storage boxes. If you follow some of the tips given above, it’s more likely that you’ll ensure efficient storage of your winter wardrobe, even if you feel like your house has insufficient storage space.