You likely free up space a couple of times a year by storing seasonal clothing. You want your dry-cleaned clothes to be ready to wear when the time comes around, so proper storage is a must. Let’s go over some storage tips that will help you protect your dry-cleaned clothing.
Use a Dry Cleaning Delivery Service Before Storage
You should never store dirty clothing. First, stains and odors can set in during storage, making it harder to clean when it’s time to wear the clothing again. Also, the stains and smells might attract insects. Then, you could end up with holes in your clothes due to an insect infestation. Thus, contact a dry cleaning delivery service to freshen up your clothing at the end of the season. Once you get it back, you’ll be ready to store it.
Choose a Temperature-controlled Storage Space
Next, you need to think about where you will store your clothing. While you might want to toss your garments in the attic, that’s a bad idea unless it’s insulated and climate-controlled. Instead, you need to choose a temperature-controlled area. Also, select an area that’s dark so your clothing won’t be exposed to UV rays.
Many people store clothing under the bed or in another closet. For instance, if you have a guest bedroom, you can use that closet for your seasonal clothes. Then, your clothing will get the protection it needs during the winter or summer.
Choose What to Hang vs. Fold
Then, you need to look through your garments and decide what to hang and what to fold. Be sure to fold clothing that stretches easily. This includes sweaters and knits.
On the other hand, you need to hang garments that are prone to wrinkles. A dry cleaning delivery service will return the clothing wrinkle-free, and you can keep them that way by placing them on hangers. This includes dresses, suits, dress shirts, and blouses.
Storing Folded Clothing
Some people choose cardboard boxes for storing folded clothing. However, cardboard attracts pests, so you could end up with an infestation when you get your clothing out of storage. Also, cardboard doesn’t keep moisture out. Because of that, a leak could ruin your garments if you store them in a cardboard box.
Instead, choose plastic containers. Then, place acid-free tissue paper between each folded item. Put one garment on top of the next, but don’t stuff the container too full. You need to give your clothing room to breathe. Also, put the heavier garments on the bottom, followed by the lighter garments on top. This will also help the clothing breathe while in storage.
Storing Clothing on Hangers
Next, you’ll need to store your items on hangers. Choose heavy wooden or padded hangers for your clothing. After putting the garments on hangers, you’ll need to secure them in garment bags to protect them. Avoid using plastic garment bags. Your clothes can’t breathe in plastic. Instead, you should use cotton garment bags. The material will protect your clothing while still allowing air to circulate.
Label the Clothing
If you’re storing lots of clothing, it’s a good idea to label the containers before placing them in storage. Then, you won’t have to dig through boxes to find what you’re looking for if you need an item.
For instance, assume that you experience an unseasonably cool day in the spring and want a sweater. With labels, you’ll know exactly where it is, so you can go through one box instead of five or six.
You can use a marker to label the outside of the boxes or make labels with a label maker.
Along with labeling the boxes, you might want to label the garment bags as well. Place notes on each garment bag so you’ll know what’s underneath each one. That way, you won’t have to lift bag after bag, looking for your items. Then, you won’t have to worry about securing the garments back on hangers while looking for the clothing you need.
Protect Your Clothing With Cedar Blocks
Back in the old days, people used mothballs to protect their clothing in storage. However, many people have gotten away from this practice. First, mothballs are toxic, so they pose a threat to kids and pets. Also, they don’t have a pleasant smell. The last thing you want to do is put on clothing that smells like mothballs. That’s the wrong way to make an impression.
Instead, place cedar blocks in the storage area. These blocks will keep pests away and also help your clothes smell fresh. You can use the same cedar blocks season after season, but you need to sand and re-oil them so they’ll remain effective. Do this at least every three years so you can get the most out of the cedar blocks.
What About Wedding Gowns?
Wedding gowns are a bit different than other clothing. You’ll want to begin by taking your gown to a wedding gown preservation company. Then, the company will take care of your wedding gown dry cleaning and storage. You’ll get the gown back in a box for storage. You’ll want to store it in a temperature-controlled place, away from direct sunlight.
Start with a Dry Cleaning Delivery Service
From wedding gowns to business clothes, a local dry cleaning delivery service can handle it all. Begin the process by entering your zip code on the website. Then, you can get pricing for dry cleaning pickup and delivery. You’ll be surprised by how reasonable the prices are. Part of the reason the service is so affordable is that you don’t pay for pickup and delivery. That’s free, so you can save a bundle with this service.
After you schedule your service, the company will clean your clothing and drop the garments back off. Then, you can use these tips to store your dry-cleaned items so your clothes will be ready for next season.
Sources:
https://www.dcleaners.com/blog/3-reasons-dry-clean-clothing-storage/
https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/15-tips-for-storing-seasonal-clothes/
