9 Tips To Store Your Clothes Properly

Do your laundry 

It goes without saying, but part of your wardrobe declutter and reorganisation should include a thorough laundry job before items are replaced. That means all of those hand-wash sweaters and delicate pieces, too. As for those items marked dry-clean only, don’t panic. “Delicate fabrics require a gentle approach to cleaning, but ironically, chemicals from the dry cleaner are actually super tough on them,” say the experts from New York laundry brand The Laundress. Depending on whether the piece is silk, linen, velvet or wool, start gently. “Before washing any of these fabrics, always test an inconspicuous area of your garment for water reactions before washing. Most fabrics should be stable if manufactured properly, but certain fabrics will release dye, which could stain other items in a load.” For a full break down, click here.

Choose the right hangers

We all know those flimsy wire hangers aren’t fit for purpose – especially when it comes to hanging more delicate fabrics which are prone to stretching and pulling. But with this extra time on our hands, now might finally be the time to do the big switch over. For Ashley Knierim from lifestyle and home décor site The Spruce, wooden hangers should be your first choice. She explains: “Wood hangers are a great choice for heavier items prone to wrinkling, like suits and coats. They add a sense of organisation and upscale look to any closet, and can withstand more weight than typical metal or plastic hangers.” If wooden hangers are out of your budget, or you fear they could take up too much space, try opting for velvet instead. “Velvet hangers look classy and are a great choice for delicate items like dresses and camisoles that are prone to slippage in your closet. They are also space saving – taking up less of a profile than wooden and plastic hangers. If you have a variety of clothing to hang in your closet, match these with a simple white wood or wire hanger for a seamless look.”

Check for moths

As we move into spring, now’s the time to do your biannual moth check. Unfortunately, according to pest control experts Rentokil, the first sign of clothes moths is likely to be damaged garments. “Clothing damage will most frequently occur in knitwear (commonly wool, cashmere, alpaca or angora), silk or leather garments,” they explain. “The damage will present itself as irregular ‘holes’ in clothing and the size of the holes will depend on how long moth larvae have been left undisturbed to eat the protein-based fibres. It is sometimes the case that non protein-based garments are attacked.  This normally happens when garments that are stained with food or perspiration are left.” It’s also important to remember moth damage can occur in drawers, wardrobes and cupboards – so invest in some anti-moth products to keep your clothes safe. Rentokil recommends these moth traps, which are available in six month refills. 

Set the temperature

If possible, try to keep the area where you store your clothes as cool and away from direct sunlight as possible. This is particularly true if you’re storing items you’re not wearing every day – like occasion wear or heavy winter coats. According to storage experts from Safestore: “When storing clothes, the rule of thumb is that the temperature should be no warmer than 23°C, with a relative humidity of 55°C. However, as long as you find somewhere to keep your clothes that is dry, cool, clean and dark (since bright light fades colours), they should look as fresh coming out of storage as they did going in.” Bear in mind that humidity matters too: high humidity will promote detrimental biological activity and break down in fibres, while very dry conditions could lead to fabrics becoming crispy.   

Keep wood at a distance

If you’ve done a thorough declutter, a bulging wardrobe shouldn’t be an issue. But if you find garments are nestling up against the wooden doors or walls of a wardrobe, it could be causing more damage to your clothes than you realise. Wood contains acids that can damage textiles over a long period of time, which means special garments might need removing and storing elsewhere to keep them safe over the long term. Moths also like to gravitate towards wood, so keeping clothes in close proximity could increase the chances of critters poking holes. Try wrapping each item at the end of your rail in acid-free tissue paper or lining the inside of your wardrobe or drawers to minimise contact.

Invest in special tools

Whether it’s acid-free tissue paper, a cashmere comb or a simple hand-held steamer, investing in some helpful tools could help you stay on top of your wardrobe.  
 Here are some of our favourites…