No matter their square footage, closets just never seem big enough. The latest trends and the outfits you just know you need compete for space with the last season’s fads. Make more room in that coveted area by packing away your summer clothes when autumn creeps in. Display only your cold weather outfits in your closet.
Choose A Container
Look for a container that is large enough to store your clothes. If you have quite a prolific wardrobe or plan to switch out the whole family’s closets, you might need a few containers to store similar items. Large plastic containers with lids work well. Containers should seal tightly to keep out moisture, bugs or mildew. Mothballs or fresh cedar chips repel any pests that might make their way into the container. Cedar chests or other wooden boxes may also store your clothes. Check the seal on the lids and consider using plastic to help create a tight closure.
Prepare the Clothes
You should get this process started at the end of summer as you start needing the warm clothes. Wait until you do not need your summer clothes any longer. If you enjoy a good bargain, go on a shopping spree at your favorite clothing stores. Retailers will put their summer clothes on sale to make room for winter clothes. Buy them now and pack them with your other clothes. Wash all the clothes you plan to pack, including the new ones. Although they may seem clean, any skin cells, sweat drops or small particles may invite pests and stain over the winter. Consider how much your kids will grow before next summer. Sell or donate the clothes that they have or will outgrow. There is no reason to store them.
Pack the Clothes
Organize your clothes into similar groups. Keep all your blouses together and all your shorts together. If you have business, casual or other different types of clothes, you can organize them by type. Put all your work clothes into one pile and all your beach clothes into another. Purchase or find in your linen closet an old dark sheet to line the inside of a container. Lay one sheet going one way and another sheet going the other way in the container. The sheet will prevent the fabric from contacting the plastic or other container. It also prevents light from reaching the clothes and decolorizing. Slide the clothes piles into the containers. Place the containers in your attic or basement away from water or changing temperatures.
Photo Credit
- fashionable bathing suit image by terex from Fotolia.com
