How to Store Clothes in a Storage Unit the Right Way

When you’re putting last season’s clothes away – or making extra room at home – you’ll want everything to come out of storage looking just as good as the day you packed it. The secret? Storing your clothes the right way! With a little prep and the right packing habits, you can keep your wardrobe fresh, protected, and instantly ready to wear again.

Whether you’re decluttering, moving, or just tucking away seasonal pieces, how you store your clothes can save you time, money, and frustration. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to prepare, pack, and protect your wardrobe so every item stays in great shape.

Preparing Clothes for Storage

A little prep before you pack makes all the difference. Here’s how to get your wardrobe ready for storage in three essential steps:

Step 1: Clean Your Clothes Before Storing

Always start with clean clothes, no exceptions. Even items that look clean can carry oils, perfumes, or lotions that attract pests or lead to stains over time.

Use a gentle detergent and skip the fabric softener or starch, which can leave residue and weaken fibres. Most importantly: make sure everything is completely dry. Even a hint of moisture can cause mould or mildew once clothes are sealed away inside a bag or container.

Step 2: Declutter and Donate What You Don’t Wear

Storage time doubles as the perfect moment to edit your wardrobe. Sort items into “keep” and “donate” piles, and be honest with yourself. For example, if you haven’t worn something in a year, someone else could get more use out of it. Plus, you’ll have more space and less clutter to manage.

Step 3: Sort by Type and Material

Organizing before you pack makes everything easier later. Group clothes by fabric type and weight so delicate items stay protected and heavier pieces don’t cause damage. Moreover, you’ll know exactly where everything is when you need something from your unit.

Packing Clothes for Storage

Once your items are cleaned and sorted, it’s time to pack with intention. The right techniques can keep your clothes fresh and damage-free.

Use Proper Storage Containers

Choose clean, air-tight plastic bins with locking lids. These protect against dust, moisture, and pests far better than cardboard boxes, which can break down or attract unwanted critters over time.

Consider Vacuum-Sealed Bags

Vacuum-sealed bags are fantastic space-savers for bulky items like winter coats and duvets. Just use them cautiously for long-term storage. Extreme compression of the sealed bags can crush and damage natural fibres like wool and down and can cause permanent wrinkles in more delicate fabrics. If you do use them, don’t remove all the air, so you can ensure there’s enough room for fabrics to breathe.

Folding, Rolling, or Hanging Clothes

Different types of clothes call for different packing methods:

• Folding: Best for heavy items like jeans, sweaters, and knits.
• Rolling: Great for durable pieces like t-shirts, workout wear and pyjamas. This reduces wrinkles and saves space.
• Hanging: Ideal for structured or delicate items like blazers, suits, or dresses. Use padded hangers and store these items in breathable garment bags or wardrobe boxes. Whatever you do, avoid wire hangers, since they’re notorious for stretching fabric.

Protecting Delicate Items

Some wardrobe pieces need extra TLC. Here’s how to keep delicate clothing in top condition:

• Wrap fragile fabrics individually in acid-free tissue paper to prevent snags, discolouration, and creasing.
• Store accessories separately in labelled pouches or divided boxes.
• Prep shoes properly by cleaning and drying them, then stuffing them with acid-free paper or using shoe trees to help maintain shape. Store them in their original boxes or a dedicated shoe container.

Keeping Bugs and Moisture Away

A clean, dry, pest-free environment is essential for keeping your clothes in pristine condition.

• Prevent pests. You can do this naturally with cedar blocks or lavender sachets. It works much better than chemical mothballs, which can damage fabrics and leave lingering odours.
• Control moisture. Place some silica gel packets or moisture absorbers into your clothing bins. Inside your unit, keep bins off the floor using pallets or shelving to promote airflow.
• Check your unit regularly. A quick visit every few months helps you catch any issues early and gives you a chance to refold items to prevent deep creases.

Specialized Storage Tips

Some items need a bit of extra care. Here’s how to store the more demanding members of your wardrobe:

• Comforters & bulky bedding: Fold neatly and place in breathable bags or large bins. Don’t over-compress them.
• Coats & jackets: Hang on wide, padded hangers and protect with garment bags. Leather and fur do best in climate-controlled
• Dresses & gowns: Casual dresses can be folded or rolled into airtight containers, but formal gowns deserve extra care, so for these articles, be sure to use padded hangers and individual garment bags.

Best Practices for Long-Term Clothing Storage

If your clothes will be in storage for several months or longer, these habits help keep everything just the way you left it:

• Label each bin clearly so you don’t have to dig through everything later, and specify the exact contents, e.g. “Shorts & T-shirts”.
• For extra organization, keep an inventory list on your phone or in a notebook so you know exactly what you have in storage and where to find it.
• Consider climate-controlled storage of sensitive fabrics like silk, satin, leather, or furs, especially for long-term storage.
• Refresh items regularly by checking your unit every few months, refolding pieces, and making sure there’s no moisture or pest activity.

Get the Most Out of Your Storage Space

A few simple habits, like cleaning, organizing, choosing the right containers, can make all the difference when storing your clothes. With a thoughtful approach, you’ll keep every piece looking, smelling, and feeling exactly the way you want it to until the time comes to take your wardrobe out of storage.

Frequently Asked Questions