If you live in a climate where there is more than one season, you should store off-season clothing carefully to avoid damage from insects, mildew, and mold. Be sure to wash and dry all garments before storing and never store clothes in plastic bags or airtight containers. Rattan trunks, well-ventilated closets, and vented garment bags are perfect for storing clothing, as they allow air to circulate and the clothing to breathe. Even in a dry area, consider using a chemical desiccant such as calcium chloride or silica gel to absorb moisture and prevent mildew. You can also reduce dampness in closets by tying pieces of chalk together and hanging them from a support post or from the ceiling.
Here are a few other tips to ensure the safety of stored clothes:
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Remember Clean, Cool, Dark, and Dry. Your storage area must be all four of these in order to protect your clothing.
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Protect clothing from wood acid by lining dresser drawers with an acid-free shelf paper or fabric.
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When adding mothballs to a clothes storage area, place them in an old sock so they don’t touch the garments.
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Don’t hang silk, rayon, or knit items that can become misshapen by long-term hanging. Instead fold and stack in a clothes storage container with the lightest items on top and heaviest on the bottom.
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Leather and suede should be stored in a closet that is cool and well ventilated. Supple leather garments should be laid flat and padded well with white tissue.
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Linen garments should be rolled for storage. If you feel you must fold them, be sure to refold often to avoid permanently creasing the fabric fibers.
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Garments made of metallic fabric should be rolled with tissue paper separating each layer.
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Fur being stored long-term is best kept in professional cold storage.
(Tips provided by Laundry.com)
