How to Store Clothes For the Long Term
If you’ve ever pulled something out of the wardrobe and smelled must on it, or shaken it into shape and discovered thumbnail-sized moth holes in the fabric, you’ll know how discouraging it is to lose your best pieces to factors outside your control. There are many factors that can contribute to clothes getting damaged in storage: damp, humidity, insects and temperature can all creep in undetected, turning a carefully cultivated wardrobe into stress central.
The best way to store clothes often isn’t in the wardrobe for a quick grab-and-go, however – every fabric is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for storage. If you’re wondering how to store clothes without inadvertently leaving them to the elements, here are a few top tips to keeping the bugs out and the threads in.
How to Store Clothes Long Term
The best way to store clothes long term is to keep them dry, clean and sealed away. Your wardrobe may be designed to optimise air flow, but even a breezy room can still fall prey to critters and damp. The only way to guarantee the safety of your clothes is to keep both out – permanently.
Plastic Boxes: It’s not as good for the environment as your handmade knitwear, but plastic is one of the few materials that can keep everything out: bugs, dust, mould and (of course) moisture. Use a strong, sturdy plastic lid, and press it down until it clicks around every edge. Avoid overfilling in case you warp the shape of the lid and cause gaps between it and the box.
Climate Control: Even if your clothes are safely tucked away in plastic boxes, you should still make sure that they aren’t stored in damp and humid rooms. Avoid pressing them against outer walls, and buy a cheap reptile sensor to keep tabs on the humidity and heat in the room. This step is especially important if you own fur and leather, since animal hides can dry-rot in high temperatures.
Cleanliness: Clothes should be as clean as you can get them before they’re boxed up and stored away. You can’t keep grime out if it’s coming from inside the house! Dirt could spread and discolour more than the original piece, and it may also cause degradation and a rather unpleasant smell. Do your future self a favour and run the washing machine before you set off to your storage unit!
Darkness: We know it’s painful to plunge your best pieces into obscurity, but when you’re storing clothes, you need to avoid sunlight at all costs. UV light will fade colours and stain fabric, discolouring your pieces beyond repair. Choose a place without direct sunlight, and make sure that your clothes are stored in the dark as much as possible.
How to Store Winter Clothes
Winter clothes are often thicker than summer linen, padded with down insulation or lined with soft fleece and fur. If you’re wondering how to store coats, you’re right to be specific – when storing winter clothes, you’ll have to consider the balance between their natural sturdiness and the fickle nature of their lining. Winter clothes are more susceptible to taking on damp, and once they have it, they hold it.
Hangers: Since fluffy coats can be a breeding ground for insects and mould, you should avoid stowing them away in boxes like the rest of your clothes. Heavy coats should instead be hung on wide-shoulder coat hangers in a clean, dry part of your house. It sounds counterintuitive to storing them, but when it comes to heavy and fluffy items, air flow is better than a barrier.
Climate Control: Never store heavy coats in a damp room. The down and fur will soak up the moisture, holding it until those lovely puffy sleeves are riddled with mould. If possible, avoid storing them against outside walls, and keep them in an airy wardrobe with enough space between the hangers for your clothes to breathe. You can use reptile gauges to keep tabs on the humidity in the room.
How to Store Summer Clothes & Dresses
Summer clothes and dresses are usually made of light, airy and delicate fabric susceptible to damage. These fine materials can tear easily, pulling at seams and running threads if they’re bumped around in transit. They can also suffer additional damage from zips, bra hooks and buttons.
Garment Bags: Hanging a dress in a garment bag is a great way to keep it safe from dust. If your bag is made of breathable fabric, it can protect your dress from mould and moths, too!
Fold Heavy Dresses: If your summer dress has a lot of extra weight to it in sequins, beads or extra decor, you shouldn’t store it hanging. Heavy clothing warps easily when pulling down on a hanger, and with a dress, these changes are especially notable. Fold and store heavy dresses in the same way you would store normal clothes.
No Metals: Zips are a no-no when you’re storing summer clothes. Keep clothes with buttons, zips and bra clasps separate from your fragile pieces, and make sure to fold your clothing properly to make sure that items with zips don’t catch or rip themselves.
What Are the Best Containers for Storing Clothes?
Everyone has their own take on which storage containers are best for clothes. You’ll find that different solutions are better depending on what you’re storing and for how long – a breathable box could work in your living room, for instance, but it’ll quickly take on water if you’re storing items in the attic or cellar. Here’s what to look for in your next storage container:
Plastic: Acid-free waterproof plastic can’t be beaten when it comes to keeping your clothing dry. Make sure that the lid is pressed down completely and clicked into place, and triple check to press out any gaps between the lid and the box. Then store the box in a dark spot away from any outside walls.
Self Storage: Climate control is about as easy as it sounds. It can be incredibly difficult to keep a room at a certain temperature and humidity constantly, always checking for fear of fluctuations. By storing clothes in a long term unit, you can benefit from the constant conditions of one of our facilities without having to check back on your clothes every few days.
Posted on 25th September 2020 by Sophie Bagnall | Last updated on 16th April 2025
