Tips for preserving wardrobe in storage

Having to store your clothes can seem easy – but it can also be quite stressful. There are many mistakes that you can make. Sadly, these can cost you a lot of money – as well as your clothes. This is why preserving wardrobe in storage is quite essential. Doing so will help increase their lifespan by quite a huge margin. Luckily, you will not have to think too hard about this when using our storage units in the DC metro area. In this article, we will show you some of the most important steps to take when storing your clothes in a unit. Keep reading to find out how to keep your clothes safe.

A thorough inventory can help with preserving wardrobe in storage

Taking a detailed inventory is one of the most essential steps you will want to take before storing your clothes. There are many reasons why you should always do this. First, a list will give you an amazing level of control over the items you are storing. You will know exactly what’s going into the unit, what’s coming out, and in which condition they were.

Additionally, you will never forget an item of clothing when you put it on the list. This way, when searching for an item, you will know that it’s in your unit. Depending on how detailed your inventory list is, you will also know exactly in which box it is as well. So, you will not buy an extra item of clothing by accident. You save a lot of money and time by doing so.

What should you put on the inventory list? Well, the name of the article of clothing is a must – of course. You should also add the description of the item. Jot down the condition of the item, its size, anything special about it, etc. You should also write down which box you put it in, or which storage units Arlington VA you are using for which item.

Do not store old items

The next thing you will want to do is figure out is which items you want to store, and which you will still keep. Usually, you will either store off-season items or the things you do not use too often. There is also the “six months rule” you can use. For example, if you did not wear an item of clothing for six months, then you will probably not wear it too often. This is why it should go into our storage units.

There is an exception to this rule. If the items are not in good condition, then you will probably not wear them again any time soon. This is why you should not even bother yourself preserving wardrobe in storage if the items are not in like-new condition. Old clothes smell and might have stains, which can then both spread around the unit, thus damaging your items.

This is why you will want to figure out what to do with these items. Usually, you can either give them away or donate them – if people might still be able to use these items. In not, make sure you toss them away in a proper way.

Preserving wardrobe in storage starts with cleaning your items

Keeping your clothes in the optimal condition within the storage units starts by cleaning them up thoroughly. This way, you will be sure that your items are in optimal shape and ready for boxing. However, you should not just toss them in the bin and call it a day. Even when they are clean, you will need to prepare them thoroughly.

First, you will want to discard any plastic garment bags. There are many benefits of reusable plastic bins. It is great for repelling moisture, and this is why a lot of people choose to use it. However, just like it can keep any moisture away from the item, it can also keep the moisture in – thus, close to your garments. And, as you might know, this is perfect for growing mold and mildew, which can absolutely destroy your items.

However, this is not to say you should not wash your garments well before storing them. Just ensure you follow the instructions on the labels and dry them thoroughly before storing them. Even when not using plastic, you can still cause mold and mildew – and this helps reduce the odds. You might even use a clothing steamer to freshen up the item if it has a musty smell.

Store your clothes in a dry space

Since moisture can be such huge trouble for your items, you will want to find or create a dry space. It will help you preserving wardrobe in storage longer, through many means. First, you can use homemade desiccants – or buy them in stores. These are the substances you can use, which reduce the moisture in the air. This is important – no matter how dry your clothes are, if the air is musty, mold will develop.

This is why you should also carefully pick the spot where you will store your items. It should be a dark and dry room, that also can maintain a cool temperature. If possible, you should get a temperature-controlled unit. These give you good airflow which helps reduce the moisture. Keep in mind to avoid direct sunlight, because it can damage the color of your clothes.

Finally, preserving wardrobe in storage means staying away from airtight containers. Even though you will want to do so for most of your items, textiles need circulating air. This way, they will last longer. Otherwise, your clothes will absorb the smells and dampness – which you do not want.