Posted on Tuesday, 22nd April 2025
Perhaps you’re going travelling, rotating your wardrobe for the new season, or storing clothes while you relocate – whatever the reason, understanding how to store your clothes properly will ensure they stay in pristine condition ready for the next time you need something to wear.
If you’re running out of wardrobe space at home, don’t forget that we offer both short-term and long-term storage options, so your clothes can have the space they need in a safe, secure and temperature-controlled environment.
Learning how to store your clothing properly can help prevent fabrics from becoming mouldy, moth-eaten or faded. It can also help you make the most of the space you have available to you, so you don’t have to search through piles of clothes to find what you’re looking for.
Once you’ve got an organised and functional space, the hard work is done, and your clothes will be all ready for when you need them next.
As a first step, consider if there are any items worth getting rid of. The 3-pile method is a great place to start: simply organise your clothes into individual keep, donate/sell and discard piles. If there’s something hiding at the back of your wardrobe that you haven’t reached for in the last year, it might be time to let it go.
Once you’ve decided what you’re keeping, it’s time to give your clothes a clean. It might not be necessary to put everything through the washing machine; however, if you plan to stow your garments away for an extended period, washing them will help deter any moths, and when you take them out of storage, your clothes will be fresh and ready to wear.
It’s really important to make sure your clothes are 100% dry before you pack them away. This will help prevent any mould build-up, and help keep your clothes smelling fresh. Bonus points if you can dry your clothes outside before you pack them away, so they retain that super-clean, just-washed smell.
There’s no need to iron your clothes if they’re going into storage, especially if you’re planning on keeping them boxed up for a longer period of time. Fabric will naturally crease over time, so save yourself a job, and get the iron out once you take each piece of clothing back out of storage.
Rolling clothes, rather than folding, can sometimes allow you to store more clothes in a single container, and helps prevent deeper creases from forming. If you go for this method, it’s a good idea to stack heavier items on the bottom, and lighter items on top, so your delicate t-shirts and dresses don’t get squashed underneath your winter coats.
Choosing the right storage for your clothes can be a game-changer in extending the life of your garments. Consider factors like humidity control, accessibility, and light consistency when making your choice.
Piling your garments on top of one another means that air can’t circulate, so your clothes are likely to get mustier and dustier more quickly. You’re likely to see more long-lasting damage if you tightly pack more clothes into a single space, so make sure each garment can sit comfortably.
Whatever your preferred solution, it’s always best to store your clothes in the centre of the storage area, as big shifts in temperature or humidity can hamper their quality. Place them away from draughts and vents where fluctuations in temperature can occur and try to ensure a stable, low humidity. Clothes should ideally not be stored in temperatures warmer than 23 degrees.
It's absolutely fine to store clothes in plastic bins for shorter periods, but if you’ll be storing them longer-term, you might want to choose a suitable alternative. Plastic can sometimes increase moisture levels and mould, while transparent options may let in light that damages fabric dye.
To protect clothes from moths, rats and other pests, you could try adding a natural deterrent like a lavender bag or cedar block. These will not only help deter moths but also help keep your clothes smelling fresh.
If you’re storing your clothes long-term, it’s recommended that you check on them at least twice a year. Keep an eye out for any damage or heavy creases and leave some time for them to air out.
