How To Properly Store Clothing
Clothing takes up a significant amount of space within your home, and as a result it's sometimes a good idea to put clothes into storage, especially when it's out of season. However, clothing can become damaged if it is improperly stored, ruining your favorite outfits. Thankfully, there a few things that you can do to keep your clothing in the best condition possible while it is in storage.
Storage Location
It doesn't matter if you store your clothing somewhere in your home or in a self-storage unit, but you should make an effort to look for certain qualities no matter which one you choose. First, look for a storage option that is climate controlled, and does not have a significant amount of humidity. You should also take care to store your clothes in a location where they are not reached by sunlight, as this can cause the colors within the fabrics to fade. Finally, be sure to place any boxes or containers with clothes within them on something, so that they are not in contact with the ground. This helps prevent water damage and mold growth.
Packing
For more expensive articles of clothing, it's a good idea to seal them within a suit bag or a similar storage option. Avoid anything that's airtight, as this can cause damage to sensitive materials and encourage mold growth – regular suit bags offer enough ventilation to avoid both of those situations. Less expensive items, and ones that are extremely bulky, can be simply hung on hangers, or they can be folded and placed in boxes and trunks. For sensitive items, you may want to separate them from other articles of clothing using acid-free paper (which can be found at most department stores).
Pest and Mold Control
To prevent rats, moths, and other pests from getting to your clothing, you should place mothballs or another deterrent within the boxes and bags that your clothing is stored in. Again, keeping your containers off of the ground can help prevent pests from getting at your fabrics. Additionally, you should avoid using any containers which have glued on decorative paper on the inside, as this glue attracts rodents and other pests. Finally, in order to help avoid moisture damage and mold growth on your clothing, you can purchase desiccants, like silica gel, which will absorb small amounts of moisture and humidity, helping to keep your clothing in the best possible shape.
For more information, contact companies like Foothills Storage.