As soon as the temperatures start rising we get ready for the new season. And also for the clothes in our wardrobe, that are best for the new weather. But can throwing winter coats, scarves, and gloves into a large plastic bag be called “smart storage”? Definitely not. You need to think forward and do your future self a favour.
Inconsiderate winter clothes storage can be disastrous. Well, just think about that expensive beautiful coat bought recently. Next year it may have a funny smell. Not necessarily pleasant. You would certainly like to avoid that or, for example, moths eating it. So how to store your winter things so that they don’t lose their beauty?
How to Prepare Winter Clothes for Storing
1. Do a general wardrobe review
Go through your winter closet and honestly assess which sweaters you really wear. Maybe these pieces of clothing deserve a new owner? If only your clothes are still in good condition and you think they can be of use to someone else – donate them. You can do it online or bring your clothes to special meetings organized for this purpose. There, people refresh their closets by exchanging clothes and accessories with others.
2. Cleaning Time
Winter equipment and clothing don’t have an easy life. They often get dirty from salt and mud or get damaged on the ski slopes. Make sure they are in the best possible condition before you put them away. Repair the zipper on your jacket if it gets stuck, or sew up a slit. But most importantly, machine wash what you can. For the rest, such as ski boots and coats that can’t be washed in the machine, hand wash. But firstly, brush off the dirt and then wipe with a clean, damp cloth.
3. Protect Your Clothes Well
You don’t have to use toxic substances to protect your clothes from moths. There are many eco-friendly products on the market that you can apply to your clothes before storing them in the wardrobe. You can also make your own scented, moth-repellent bags. Use lavender or mint leaves.
Where to Store Your Winter Clothes
How you prepare your winter clothes for winter storage is extremely important. However, it’s time to address where you can actually keep them. There are several more and less obvious places. Let’s go through them all.
Plastic Boxes and Containers
This is by far the best storage option for winter clothes and accessories. Such boxes will easily fit into the spacious drawers of your sideboard. You can also stack them at the bottom of your wardrobe cupboard. Fold jackets into cubes, sort out gloves, hats and scarves separately. Put winter boots in another box, and small ski equipment (such as ski boots or goggles) in yet another.
Old or Unused Travel Suitcases
This is simply a variation of plastic boxes. If you have old suitcases at home, such as those with broken handles or without wheels, don’t throw them away. They are a great alternative to plastic boxes. You will save some money and give a second life to your old suitcase. Reusing is fun!
Cardboard Boxes
Cardboard boxes are also great for storage. You probably have a lot of them in different sizes at the house. This allows you to match the right size to the type of things you want to keep in them. It’s also easy to write something on them and create a few, easily recognisable categories of winter garments. After all, you’ll need these clothes again in a few months, and the descriptions will certainly make your life easier.
Pro tip: Just remember not to put the boxes in a cold, damp garage or unheated loft. They will get wet along with your clothes. As well as the unpleasant smell, mould can also appear on these items
Sliding Door Wardrobe
Perhaps you are in the process of replacing the furniture in your bedroom and are wondering what wardrobe would be the most appropriate to most effectively accommodate the equipment for all seasons. The answer will be a large wardrobe with sliding doors. This piece of furniture is a lifesaver when you have a lot of clothes, accessories and other trinkets which you would like to hideaway.
The sliding door closet has one important advantage over wardrobes with hinged doors. You won’t need extra space to open the doors. This means that you can opt for a deeper (and therefore roomier) wardrobe while maintaining equally good access to it.
Conclusion
There are several advantages to good winter storage organisation. Firstly, you get rid of clothes you no longer wear from your wardrobe. Secondly, you’ll have spring and summer clothes at hand, without having to dig through piles of thick jumpers to reach your favourite t-shirt. Thirdly, in a few months from now, you’ll be grateful that everything has its place and is so easy to find
There are plenty of ways of channelling your inner Marie Kondo (she’s an expert in effective cleaning and organising space at home). Thoughtful organisation of winter clothing storing is definitely one of them.
