Store as much as you like for as long as you like
Store as much as you like for as long as you like
Have you noticed the weather? Let’s be honest, as Brits, it’s one of our favourite topics of conversation, especially when it starts to change. With the daffodils opening and the birds singing, spring has finally sprung. Which means many of us can put away our ultra-thick winter jumpers and start moving towards lighter outfits! Every year this brings up the same question – how do you store seasonal clothes properly so that you can wear them again and again for years to come?
The biggest thing to remember here is that ‘seasonal’ is subjective. There’s no arguing that a woolly hat and scarf is winter clothing, but when it comes to things like jumpers, the lines get blurry. After all, there’s still a chill in the air in the evenings, and a jumper can make all the difference. So rather than just categorising all of your clothes as ‘winter’ or ‘summer’, ask yourself what you feel comfortable in at this time of year. If you’re not sure, test drive some items in the current weather to find out. And remember, a little flexibility is good for any wardrobe.
Before you store any clothing for the season, you need to make sure they’re clean. It’s tempting to put this part off until it’s time to get the clothes back out again, but that’s not the best idea. Any stains on them will only get worse while left in storage, not to mention any crumbs or residue that could start to grow mould and attract insects. Once you have your ‘storage’ pile sorted, give it all a wash and make sure it’s completely dry.
Depending on how fashion-conscious you are, you might find yourself faced with a very big pile of clothes! so the question is, what do you store them in? Your best option is a suitcase- We all have one lying around that we only use a few times a year – blow the dust off and you have the ideal clothes storage. If you don’t have one, or find your suitcase is too small, then it’s time to invest in some plastic boxes. They keep pests and dust out, and can be tucked away for easy storage, especially if you opt for the ‘under the bed’ style.
Next comes the environment. Ideally, you want a space that’s dark, dry and not too warm to keep your clothes in the best condition. Basements, attics and under the bed are all good options, but you do need to make sure there’s enough ventilation to stop moisture build-up and mould. Dehumidifiers help with this, or a better option would be a self-storage unit. These spaces are climate and light controlled, so you know your clothes are in the best condition while they’re in storage.
You wouldn’t want colours to run and transfer in the wash, and you wouldn’t want it to happen in storage either. Luckily, it’s an easy thing to prevent. Just add a layer of acid-free tissue paper between each piece of clothing to prevent colour transfer. there’s also the bonus of stopping any buttons, embellishments or badges from snagging and causing damage! It adds a few minutes to the process, but it’s worth it.
If you’re storing your clothes at home in a space like your attic, basement or garage, then there’s an extra step you need to take to protect your clothes. Moths absolutely love clothes -they lay their eggs in the fabric, and when they hatch the babies have a ready-made buffet waiting. Since you don’t want holes in your clothes when you get them out of storage, pop some moth balls into the box /suitcase before you store them away. These little discs work on a slow-release system letting evaporated insecticide into the air, killing any eggs or love and deterring moths. Rus they last about 3 months!
At Blue Box Self Storage we know many of our customers use our units to store household items, including clothes. We have units available in all shapes and sizes, on low cost, short or long-term lease agreements. If you’d like to find out more, just get in touch with the team today.