How to Store Your Winter Clothing

As the weather warms up, the idea of packing away your winter gear can feel like a major hassle – especially when you’re staring at piles of bulky coats, sweaters, and boots with nowhere to put them. If your closets are already overflowing and your drawers are begging for relief, you’re definitely not alone. But taking a little time now to store everything properly can save you space, protect your favourite pieces, and spare you the frustration of dealing with musty or damaged clothing next season. Let’s walk through how to get your winter wardrobe out of the way and safely stored for next year.

Step 1: Preparing Your Winter Clothes for Storage

Before anything goes into a bin or bag, give your items some attention now to avoid headaches months from today. A little effort makes a big difference, so let’s begin with some basic preparation steps:

Sort and Declutter

Start by going through everything and sorting your items into four simple piles:

1. Keep: Clothing staples and favourites you’ll wear again next winter.
2. Donate/Sell: Good quality pieces you’ve outgrown, literally or style-wise.
3. Recycle/Toss: Worn out, damaged, or stained items that aren’t worth saving.
4. Store: What you’ll be packing away for the season.

If you’re feeling stuck on an article of clothing, try the 5-Second Rule: pick up an item, count to five, and make your decision. If it takes longer than that, it’s probably time to let it go.

Clean Everything Before You Store It

Even if something looks clean, tiny amounts of invisible body oils, food residue, or sweat can attract pests, and stains only get harder to remove over time.

• Wash or dry-clean every item first.
• Use unscented detergents. Heavy perfumes and scents will fade and may attract insects.
• Make sure every item is completely dry before packing. Even a little dampness can lead to mould, mildew, and musty smells that are nearly impossible to reverse.

Clean Your Shoes & Boots, Too

Salt, dirt, and grime can break down materials if left sitting for months.

• Clean your footwear thoroughly and deodorize (a sprinkle of baking soda does wonders). Once dry, stuff each boot or shoe with acid-free paper or shoe trees to maintain their shape and prevent sagging or creasing.

Step 2: Choose the Right Storage Methods

How you pack your winter items is just as important as the prep work. The right method protects your clothing fabrics, while the wrong one can stretch, compress, or damage them.

Folding vs. Hanging

Different garments need different treatment:

• Fold knits and stretchy items: Sweaters, cardigan, and heavy knits, whether composed of natural fibres or synthetic, should always be folded. Otherwise, hanging these pieces for months will stretch the shoulders and distort the shape.
• Hang structured garments: Coats and tailored pieces hold up best on wide, padded, or wooden hangers. Avoid thin wire or plastic hangers, since they create dents in the fabric and weaken it over time.

Using Vacuum-Sealed Bags

Vacuum-sealed bags are space-saving miracles… but only for the right items.

• Use them for: Durable synthetics ski pants, polyester fleece, and puffer jackets.
• Avoid using them for: Wool, cashmere, and anything with natural down. Compression crushes their fibres and can permanently reduce warmth and loft.

Pick the Right Containers

Your storage containers are your first line of defence against pests, dust, and moisture.

• Clear plastic bins with airtight lids are ideal for folded items.
• Breathable garment bags (cotton or non-woven fabric) protect hanging coats and allow airflow.

Once everything is packed, label your bins clearly. Instead of using broad labels like “Winter Clothes,” define the specifics, like “Cashmere Sweaters,” “Kids’ Snow Gear,” “Hats & Scarves.”

Step 3: Organize Your Winter Clothes & Boots

Now that your winter attire is clean and ready, smart organization will save you tons of time when cold weather returns.

Group Similar Items

Think about how you’ll unpack later. Try grouping items into bins like:

• Everyday sweaters & long-sleeve tops
• Heavyweight outerwear
• Base layers & thermals
• Special occasion wear

Using categories lets you unpack in stages as the weather gets colder, instead of having to sort through everything at once to find what you need. When packing, place the heaviest items on the bottom of the bin and delicate pieces on top to prevent crushing.

Organizing Winter Accessories

Don’t let gloves, hats, and scarves become a tangled mound:

• Use small organizers or mesh bags inside your bin.
• Keep glove pairs together in their own bag.
• Roll scarves to prevent wrinkles and tangling.
• Stuff structured hats with tissue paper to keep their shape.

Pack Your Winter Boots Properly

Once you’ve cleaned and stuffed your boots:

• Wrap each boot in acid-free paper or a soft cloth to prevent scuffs or dye transfer that can stain lighter-coloured footwear.
• Place boots side-by-side or sole-to-sole to maximize space and minimize friction.

Step 4: Choose the Best Place to Store Everything

Where you store your winter gear matters just as much as how you pack it.

Storing At-Home: Know the Risks

Garages, basements, and attics might seem like convenient spots to stash your seasonal clothing, but they can pose major damage risks:

• Temperature swings can weaken fabrics and cause brittleness.
• Humidity encourages mould and mildew.
• Pests love dark, undisturbed spaces, especially where natural materials live.

If you must store items at home, don’t place bins directly on the floor. Elevate them on shelving or pallets to promote air circulation underneath and protect them against moisture and pests.

Why Self-Storage is Your Smartest Option

A self-storage unit gives your winter wardrobe the protection you want, but without struggling to find room in a suitable environment at home:

• Professional facilities offer clean, dry, temperature-stable environments.
• Pest control and durable building materials help keep critters out.
• You regain valuable closet space at home.
• Flexible storage unit sizing makes it easy to store only what you need, whether it’s a couple of bins or the seasonal clothing for your whole family.=

Store Your Winter Clothing with Confidence!

Storing your winter wardrobe properly doesn’t have to be a burden, and the payoff of using proper storage techniques is well worth the effort. By giving your coats, sweaters, and boots a clean, dry, and stable storage environment, you’re protecting them against the most common issues that arise during the off-season, namely moisture, pests, and fluctuating temperatures.

Choosing to rent a self-storage unit simply makes the process of winter storage easier. You free up valuable space at home, keep your closets organized, and know your seasonal items are stored safely until you need them again. Whether you’re packing away a few containers or a larger collection of winter gear, you can trust that everything will be just as you left it – clean, well-organized, and ready to go when the cold weather makes a come-back.

Winter Storage FAQs

Below are quick answers to the most common questions people ask before packing away their winter wardrobe: