Spring is often a time for cleaning, adjusting your clock an hour ahead, and organizing. This is also a great time to bring in your warmer-weather clothing and pack away your winter items. At Closet and Storage Concepts, we’re experts at all things storage and want to help you create a life well organized. Keep your clothes fresh and make the most of your space by using these tips when storing your out of season clothes.
Clean Carefully
Before clothes or shoes are put away, make sure to give them a clean. This is also a perfect time to assess your wardrobe. If there are items that you bought that you intended to wear last fall or winter but never actually used for whatever reason, consider donating it.
With clothes, give them a wash or bring them to the cleaner before stowing them away for the season. You’ll be able to wear them right away once they’re pulled out of storage. When storing dry cleaned items, take them out of the bag and let them breathe as some chemicals can continue to emit from them and cause build up on your clothes. For shoes, make sure caked on dirt or scratches are buffed and cleaned before they’re put away to prevent staining and a future headache.
Determine Storage Areas
Once you’ve determined the items that need to be stored, it’s time to figure out how and where they will be housed.
If winter blouses, tops, and suits or skirts need to be hung, we suggest putting them towards the back of a reach-in or in a less-used area of your walk-in. If your closet space has a lot of vertical space, try a wardrobe lift. These are great custom closet accessories. The lift makes it easy to store out-of-season items out of reach, with easy access when you need it. This can be a perfect solution when storing heavy wool coats as you transition in lighter pieces.
Boxes or drawers keep long-sleeve shirts and sweaters, which are impractical during the summer, perfectly neat in your closet. Store them out of the way as you make the transition. Clear boxes or bins are perfect so you can easily see items without the hassle of digging around in them. For extra security and something more permanent, try a glass front insert on your drawers. This can give a nice modern touch to any built-in closet system.
Have a small closet? Consider storage areas outside of your closet or wardrobe. Under-bed storage is one popular option. Utilizing multipurpose furniture pieces are also great choices for those tight on space.
Keeping Clothes Fresh
Keep your clothes and accessories fresh even after they’ve been stored. Having the right storage areas will help to keep your clothes wrinkle and damage free. Be sure to use other tools to keep your clothes in top shape.
Using proper hangers will help to keep slippery silks off the ground and wrinkle free, while keeping suits on sturdier wooden hangers will help to keep the shape of the garment. Also consider using cedar wood or mothballs to prevent damage from insects. Bins and tubs that have a lid are especially helpful in preventing dust and dirt from wreaking havoc on your clothes while they’re tucked away. For leather purses and shoes, be sure to place them in their dust bag.
If you’re running out of closet space in your home, it’s time to get organized! Start with a free design consultation from your local Closet and Storage Concepts designer.