Properly packing clothes for storage unit is essential for keeping your wardrobe clean and protected from damage. Whether you’re packing items away for a season or moving long distance, how you pack will determine how well your clothes are in storage. With the right packing materials and methods, you can prevent wrinkles, dust, mildew, and pest damage even after months or years in boxes.
We will cover everything you need to know about how to pack clothes for storage like a professional organizer. We will discuss preparation, materials, folding techniques, labelling, and more. By implementing these steps, you can exude confidence your clothes will be ready to wear again when you unpack. Let’s get started!
Pack Clothes For a Storage Unit
Pre Treating
Before you start packing clothes for a storage unit, first do some sorting. Follow it then by pre-treating your clothes. Go through everything you want to store and organize it into categories like tops, bottoms, dresses, etc. This will make items easier to find later. Pre-treat any stains or spots on clothes with a stain remover too.
Sorting & Washing
Cull your clothing collection by donating or discarding anything that is damaged, out of style, or doesn’t fit right. Having fewer items packed away will save you space. You’ll also want to wash or dry clean any clothes you plan to store in order to remove odours, dirt, or allergens before folding. Washing insulates fibers from moisture and gases that cause deterioration in storage.
Packing Materials To Pack Clothes for Storage
Acid-free Tissue Paper
When it comes to packing clothes for storage unit, quality is the key. It keeps the clothes odor-free, protected, and crease-free during storage. Here are some tried and true materials. Wraps delicate fabrics to prevent scratches or friction and absorbs moisture. Look for 100% cellulose tissue without chemicals.
Polyethylene Bags & Storage Boxes
Sealed bags keep out dust, gases, and insects. Choose thick 4-6 mil bags labelled specifically for long-term clothing storage. Sturdy cardboard boxes or plastic tubs with tight-fitting lids provide a durable barrier. Go for archival-quality cardboard or acid-free plastic.
Silica Gel Packs & Packing Peanuts
Absorbs excess moisture in the air inside boxes/bags to prevent mildew. Packing peanuts provide cushioning between layers of clothes with less mess than tissue. Biodegradable peanuts are a greener option.
Labelling- Acid Free
Labelling is important to get an easy access. These are free tags or markers that can name your box for item identification. Label boxes clearly so everything can be identified later. Get a label maker and some acid free stickers that you can print yourself for more ease.
Folding Techniques
Shirts & Pants
With the back of the shirt facing up, fold the left sleeve in and then fold the right sleeve in on top. Then fold the shirt evenly in thirds from bottom to top. For folding pants, align the front legs and fold the pant legs together once or twice, then fold the pant waist towards the back.
Undergarments & Sweaters
Roll tightly undergarments to save space without the risk of creasing compared to folding. Secure them with a rubber band. For sweaters, lay flat and fold the sleeves over the front of the sweater first before folding in thirds.
Dresses & Skirts
For these type of clothing, You have to make sure for a tidy folding that does not damage the shape of dress. Lay flat and fold from the bottom up, being careful not to crease delicate fabrics.
Blankets & Coats
These should be folded and stored in a way, where you can save as much space as you can. Try rolling compacts these bulky items. Roll tightly and secure with ribbon or rubber band. Or you can fold them and vacuum seal them.
Packing and Labeling
Layering
Start layering folded clothes into storage boxes or bags with acid-free tissue paper between each layer, perfect for efficiently packing clothes for a storage unit. Add a silica gel packet too. Leave some empty space at the top for another packet. Securely seal or close boxes/bags, labelling the exterior clearly with category, season/year, and a contents list so it’s easy to find what you need when packing clothes for a storage unit.
Store In A Cool Space
Store in a cool, dry space free from moisture, direct sunlight, or wide temperature fluctuations which can damage fabrics over time. Optimal storage conditions are between 50-70°F and 50% relative humidity, ideal for packing clothes for a storage unit. Spinach boxes are a sustainable alternative to plastic tubs for short to medium-term storage.
Vacuum Seal
You can also store out-of-season clothes in vacuum storage bags to save even more space, working great for maximizing what you can pack clothes for a storage unit. Just be sure to label the bags clearly too!
Tags Should Be Clear
Don’t forget to label everything clearly! I like using acid-free tags and writing content directly on boxes with a Sharpie. Include things like season, year, and contents to avoid any guesswork later on. That way you always know exactly what’s in the 12 boxes of winter clothes in the basement!
Unpacking Your Storage
Avoid Creating Dust
When it is time to access your stored clothes again, carefully unpack the following tips, handling with care after packing clothes for a storage unit. Open boxes/bags slowly to avoid creating dust. Check for signs of pests and isolate damaged items promptly. Air out boxes outside before bringing them indoors if any odors are detected. Spot-check a few stored items for colorfastness before laundering everything.
Dry Clean
Wash or dry clean according to original care tags before wearing stored clothes. By thoroughly preparing, carefully packing, and properly unpacking your stored clothing collection, you can keep garments protected throughout their off-season storage period. Come spring or fall, your clothes will be wrinkle-free and ready to wear again with the utmost confidence. Happy packing!
Take Your Time
Packing up clothes for storage is an important task to keep your wardrobe in good condition until you need it again. Whether you’re storing items for the winter or getting ready for a move, how you pack everything makes a big difference. Taking the time to fold clothes neatly and use archival-quality materials goes a long way in preventing damage down the road.
Task to Perform Before You Pack Clothes for Storage!
Laundry
It’s also a good idea to pre-treat any stains or do a load of laundry on everything you plan to put away. Washing removes dirt, odors, and allergens that can attract bugs or cause fabrics to deteriorate over time in storage. When it comes to packing materials, it’s worth spending a little extra on long-lasting supplies.
Keep Them Dry
Acid-free tissue paper gently wraps items without scratching. Storing clothes in thick plastic bins or sealed bags with desiccant packs keeps them dry and free from dust mites and other pests. Boxes or tubs with tight-fitting lids provide an additional barrier. Just be sure to clearly label everything so you know what’s inside later on.
Right Folding Technique
Mastering folding techniques is key for wrinkle-free clothes when you unpack. Things like folding shirts in thirds and rolling up sweaters or blankets save space and prevent creasing. For trousers, folding the legs together and then folding the waistband neatly over works well. Undergarments can usually be gently rolled instead of folded to maintain their shape.
Basement / Attic
Layer folded items into your storage containers with tissue paper separating layers. Leave some empty space at the top for another desiccant pack to help absorb moisture. Ensure boxes and bags are completely sealed or closed securely and labeled clearly before stowing items in a dark, cool place. Basements or attics usually provide ideal storage conditions to preserve fabrics long-term.
Check For Pests & Damage
When it’s time to retrieve your stored clothes, carefully unpack to prevent any dust. Check for signs of pests and isolate anything that seems damaged. Before wearing stored items, it’s a good idea to wash or dry clean them following original care tags and spot-check for fading. With the right packing and storage methods, your clothes are sure to come out of seasonal storage just like new ones again!
Tips To Avoid An Accidental Mess
Check The Quality Of Storage Box
One of the keys to packing clothes properly is using the right materials. Plastic storage bins are handy because you can see what’s inside without unpacking everything. Just make sure to get the thicker ones labeled for long-term use – the flimsy cheaper ones won’t protect clothing as well over multiple seasons.
Protect Vulnerable Areas
Tissue paper is your friend when it comes to folding clothes. It creates a barrier between layers so your nice sweaters don’t get fuzz from folded jeans rubbed onto them. Pro tip: scrunch tissue into balls and tuck them into hoods and sleeves for extra protection of vulnerable areas.
Iron, To Get Rid Of Crisp
We’ve all had those annoying “crispy” clothes that come right out of the dryer feeling like cardboard. To prevent this in stored clothes, I always give everything a good iron before packing. The steam helps erase creases and wrinkles that could set in permanently over months packed away.
Organized Stack
Speaking of which, when folding do so neatly with sharp edges and corners. Sloppy folding is how clothes start to look dingy after being boxed up for a while. Take your time so everything stacks in an organized, wrinkle-free way. This makes retrieval way easier too.
A Hack That Helped Me
When packing clothes, one of the most important things is proper folding. This prevents creasing and wrinkles from forming during storage. A tip I learned is to fold clothes loosely rather than tightly squeezing them. Tight folds can cause creases to set more easily over time. Lay the item flat and fold it over once or twice loosely.
Quality Of Packing Material
Synthetic Fiber Pillows
Another key is using the right materials inside boxes and bins. In addition to tissue paper between layers, you can add synthetic fiber pillows or blankets cut to size. Materials like polyfill absorb moisture better than paper alone. Make sure to scrunch pillows or blankets on the ends of sleeves, legs, and hoods where wrinkles often form during storage.
Plastic Tubs Or Cardboard Boxes?
Plastic storage tubs with lids are great for most items. But delicate fabrics like silk may fare better in cardboard boxes. The sides provide support without clinging like plastic. Acid-free cardboard is best to prevent chemicals from affecting fibers long-term. If using plastic bins, I line the bottom with cardboard for added protection from moisture.
Take Care Of Cushioning
When packing clothes in bins, alternate between folded items and materials like tissue or polyfill for cushioning. This prevents bunching and potential creasing from clothes stacked directly on top of each other throughout the whole bin. It also makes unpacking easier later on since you aren’t pulling out a massive wad of clothing all at once.
Protect From Light & Air
Speaking of unpacking, take care not to handle stored items more than needed. Exposing things unnecessarily to light, air, and handling risks fading or premature wear and tear developing on stored clothes you want to preserve freshness. Always carefully fold items back for repacking if not being used right away.
Conclusion
Choosing right packing material will result in neatly stored clothes that won’t become wrinkled over time, perfect for efficiently packing clothes for a storage unit. Always fold items you intend to actually wear again someday. Items to donate may just need rolling so they are ready for packing clothes for storage.
Proper packing goes a long way in keeping clothes in great condition during storage. With some simple folding techniques and the right materials, your wardrobe will be fresh and wrinkle-free when the next season arrives. Taking a little extra time packing ensures clothing lasts through years of storage rotations.
Frequently Asked Questions
With the right materials and storage conditions, most clothing can be stored safely for 1-2 years without issue. More delicate fabrics like silk may only last 6-12 months preserved well. Synthetics can often last longest at 2-5 years. Proper packing and occasional inspections help maximize storage life.
Ideal areas are cool, dark, and low-humidity like an unfinished basement, cellar, or attic. Avoid hot attics. Temperature should stay between 60-75°F and relative humidity below 50% for long-term preservation. Closets and garages tend to fluctuate more.
Yes, it’s best to wash using the fabric care instructions before packing away clothes long-term. This removes smells, dirt, and chemicals that can damage fibers over months. Air drying is preferred to prevent residual moisture issues in storage.
Vacuum sealing is great for compact storage but may trap odors and moisture against clothes if the bag is compromised. Use quality zipper bags and add desiccants as extra protection. Check seals periodically when using vacuum bags long-term.
Lay sweaters flat, fold sleeves over the front, and fold in thirds. Tissue or garment sheets prevent creasing. Plastic or cardboard storage boxes provide shape support without clinging like tubs.
Hang tightly rolled coats with pockets emptied and zippers zipped. Or use a vacuum garment bag for compact storage. Mothballs can repel pests but shouldn’t directly contact fabric.
Group similar items and clearly label storage tubs, boxes, and bags by category, season/year to easily locate stored clothes later on. Consider keeping an inventory list too.
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