Storing summer clothes for winter properly is the difference between opening your wardrobe next spring to well-kept pieces, or ones marked by moth damage, discolouration and mould. Before you pack anything away, it's worth taking the time to sort through your wardrobe properly rather than boxing it up as it stands. Below, we share our top tips for storing summer clothes correctly, from preparation through to choosing the right storage method for different fabrics.
Should you sort your wardrobe before you start?
Yes, sorting first makes the whole job easier. Anything you haven't worn in the last 6–12 months, or that's damaged, stained or the wrong size, is worth passing on rather than storing. Clearing the clutter first means you can see exactly what you're dealing with, and gives your most-loved pieces the care they deserve.
If you have a particularly large wardrobe, keeping a simple inventory, noting condition, size and which box each item is in — will save considerable time when you come to unpack next season. This is especially useful for households managing multiple wardrobes, where it's easy to lose track of what's stored where.
How should you prepare clothes before storing them?
A few small preparation steps make a big difference to how well clothes survive the months in storage:
Wash or dry clean everything first. Moths and bacteria are drawn to food residue, body oils and even the scent of perfume, so nothing should go into storage unwashed.
Make sure items are completely dry. Even a small amount of trapped moisture can leave yellow staining over time.
Avoid ironing before storage. Pressed fibres become brittle and are more prone to tearing while folded or packed away.
What's the best way to store delicate or special pieces?
For fine, sentimental or particularly special items, lay clothing as flat as possible to avoid the wrinkle damage that hanging or tight folding can cause, and layer with acid-free tissue paper between pieces for extra protection. Natural moth deterrents such as cedar blocks or lavender sachets are a worthwhile addition to any storage box or wardrobe, and are a gentler alternative to mothballs, which can leave a lingering smell on delicate fabrics.
Which storage containers should you use?
The right container depends on the fabric:
Skip paper or cardboard boxes. They aren't waterproof, and in some cases can attract moths drawn to the glue used in their construction.
Plastic boxes offer good protection, though natural fibres such as wool, cashmere and silk need some airflow rather than a fully airtight seal.
Vacuum bags are excellent for reducing bulk while keeping items dust- and pest-free, butaren't suitable for natural fibres that need to breathe.
If hanging clothes, use padded, plastic or wooden hangers rather than wire, which can leave indentations, and make sure there's enough space between garments for air to circulate.
Where should out-of-season clothes be stored?
Choose a spot that's off the floor, cool, free from damp and away from direct sunlight, a cupboard or spare wardrobe usually works well. Avoid attics, garages or anywhere prone to temperature swings, as fluctuating heat and cold can damage fibres over time. In more humid homes, a moisture absorber in the storage box or cupboard will help protect against mildew. For particularly fine or precious pieces, a specialist storage service is worth considering.
Bringing in extra help at home
Keeping on top of a full household wardrobe, let alone several family members', takes real organisation, and it's exactly the kind of task a professional housekeeper is trained to manage alongside the wider running of your home. If you're looking to hire a housekeeper, whether live-in or daily, to take care of seasonal wardrobe changeovers and the rest of your household staff needs, get in touch with Greycoat Lumleys today, a specialist housekeeping agency placing household staff across the UK.