Storing your clothes safely in a self storage unit involves more than just tossing them into a box and hoping for the best. Preparing and organizing your clothing properly will ensure it remains in tip-top condition, free from damage or deterioration, and ready for when you need it again.
These are some steps for you to follow if you wish your clothing to remain in pristine condition while it is in storage.
Take time to prepare your clothing items before storing
Before packing any items make sure they are clean and completely dry. Launder or dry-clean them to prevent stains, odours, or mildew from setting in during storage.
Sort and organise clothes before storage
Sort your clothing by category (formal, casual, seasonal, for example) to make retrieval easier. For added convenience, you can organise them by type of garment, separating shirts, pants, coats, and dresses.
Use proper storage materials for your clothes
Choose clean, new, cardboard boxes. Avoid using plastic bags as they can trap moisture, damaging your clothes. Furthermore, these bags tend to disintegrate over time which will expose your clothes, leaving them scattered, and making a mess in your storage unit.
Use good quality hangers if you intend to use a clothing rail.
Bulky clothing can be vacuum sealed to save space, although natural materials such as wool and cotton will deteriorate if they cannot breathe.Fold and pack clothes for storage
Folding clothes neatly will minimize creases. Pack them carefully and avoid overfilling the boxes. Placing tissue paper between delicate garments will also help prevent creasing.
Use a clothing rail to hang items such as dresses, coats, and suits. This will allow these items to maintain their shape.Protect from moisture during self storage
Make sure that all clothing items are bone dry before you pack them. Just to make extra sure there is no moisture, place silica gel packets inside boxes to absorb any dampness.
Allow ventilation during storage of clothes
Adding racks and shelving units will keep your clothes off the ground and allow air to circulate.
Place boxes on wooden pallets or line the floor of your self storage unit with a tarpaulin as a further measure to prevent any dampness from a cement floor from seeping into them. Air circulation is important to prevent mustiness and mould.
Leave some space between boxes and walls for air circulation.Label your boxes before storing clothes
Clearly label each box with its contents so you can easily retrieve items if and when needed. Keep a detailed inventory to keep track of what you have packed.
Regular checkups of y0ur stored clothes
If possible, visit your storage unit regularly to inspect for any signs of damage or signs of a pest infestation. If you notice any signs of pests, inform the management of the facility of your findings. Taking swift action against potential problems will limit damage to your belongings.
Security of your stored items
Use a secure lock on your storage unit to prevent unauthorized access. Insuring your stored items will give you additional protection against any unforeseen circumstances.
If you follow these effective storage techniques, you can preserve the quality of your clothes and keep them in great shape for future use. Taking shortcuts in your planning and preparation can have disastrous consequences.
To ensure the longevity of your clothes, it’s essential to take proper care when storing them. By being aware of the factors that can cause damage during storage, you can take preventative measures to avoid any potential problems. This will ultimately save you from the inconvenience and cost of replacing your clothes.
There are three main sources of potential problems – environmental factors, storage conditions, and handling errors – that work against storing clothes successfully.
Environmental Factors
Excessive moisture and humidity in the storage environment can lead to mould, mildew, and those musty odours. Any moisture can cause the fabric to weaken, discolour, and develop unsightly water stains which cannot be removed. Check that the storage unit you choose does not have any rising dampness, and always make sure that anything you store is completely dry before you pack it.
Extreme temperatures, whether too hot or too cold, can affect clothing fibers which will damage the garment’s structure.
Exposure to sunlight can fade colours, and cause yellowing or discolouration, particularly in natural fibers like wool or cotton.
Storage Conditions for Clothes Storage
Storing clothes in the wrong holders such as plastic bags can trap moisture, leading to the yellowing of your clothes or the build-up of mildew and mould.
Poor ventilation means a lack of airflow in your storage area, trapping moisture and leading to mustiness and bad odours in your clothing.
Clothing is susceptible to damage by insects and pests such as moths, silverfish, and rodents. These feed on natural fibers, make nests in stored clothing and can ruin your clothing quickly.Handling Errors during Storage of Clothes
Folding and hanging clothes properly is important. Incorrect folding techniques can lead to permanent creases, especially in delicate fabrics like silk. Hanging clothes on wire hangers can cause stretching and your garments becoming misshapen.
Storing dirty clothes can lead to them becoming discoloured and permanently stained.
Don’t stuff too much into your packing boxes as this causes your clothing to become compressed and wrinkled.
To keep your clothing in top notch condition during extended storage periods, it’s crucial to understand the potential risks and take preventative measures when packing.
Stop & Store Fareham Self Storage for Storing Clothes
There are many reasons why you may need to store your clothing. If you are moving home, changing jobs, making space at home to keep organised, or just need a place to keep your seasonal items, we at Stop & Store Fareham can ensure a secure, clean storage unit where you can store your clothing with confidence.
- Security is as important to us as it is to you. Our facility is protected by CCTV and monitored 24/7. Access is strictly controlled.
- Our units vary in size from 12 sq ft to 200 sq ft, they are safe, dry, pest-controlled, and ideal for storing your belongings safely and securely.
- Conveniently located in the Fareham Shopping Centre, in the heart of the town, with easy access to load and unload your goods, Stop and Store is open 7 days a week from 8 am to 8 pm.
- Please check our website for any specials we may be offering.
Tel: 01329 556174