Storing clothes in Storage Units
No matter whether you’re looking at storing baby clothes, winter outfits and jackets, or seasonal wardrobes; it’s very important that you know how to store clothes in a storage unit correctly It may seem as easy as packing boxes with clothing and loading them into your unit, but there’s a bit more to how to store clothes in storage units. To maintain the quality of your clothing, you want to make sure it is stored properly. Which means choosing the right storage containers, the right storage unit, and taking steps to avoid moisture and pests from ruining your clothes. I have uncovered some important tips on how to store your clothes in a storage unit but for further tips and tricks visit https://www.lifestorage.com/blog/storage/storing-winter-clothing-during-the-summer-months/
1. Wash Everything
Before you even begin to pack, make sure to wash all the clothing you might want to store. This is really important in maintaining the longevity of all the clothes you are storing. Unwashed clothing can produce, mould or mildew, and even begin to smell if left long term. Even if your clothes don’t look or smell dirty, they may reveal stains over time. Residual perfumes, lotions, oil, or even sweat can sit in the fabric and turn your clothing yellow. Food stains or clothes that have been starched can attract pests, which will ruin your clothing. And that would be awful if that happened…
2. Donate or Sell Unwanted Items
While you’re getting ready to pack, perhaps go through your closet and decide what you would like to keep and what you want (or need) to get rid of. Put aside anything you haven’t worn in the past 8 months. Why haven’t you worn 
it? Do you plan to wear it in the next 8 months? If not, it may be time to part ways with it. Channel your inner Marie Kondo, and set aside anything that doesn’t fit or has stains or rips. You can sell your clothing through garage sales, Trade Me, or Ebay. Or, you may also choose to donate your clothes to an organisation like Habitat or the Salvation Army
3. Use Plastic Bins
Many people use cardboard boxes or plastic bags to store clothes, as these are more cost-effective options, for storing clothes in storage units. However these methods can leave your clothing vulnerable to damage. Plastic bags can trap moisture and can lead to mould and mildew. Free used boxes may seem appealing, but if they were previously used to hold food, they may contain bacteria or hidden pests. Cardboard boxes are also vulnerable to humidity and water damage.
Instead, invest in plastic bins that snap shut to keep your clothing safe from all above threats. These bins will keep your items safe from pests, water, humidity, and dust. Make sure to not overpack the bins, as there is no air flowing through to let your items breath. Opt for clear bins so that you can see the items inside. If your unit will be exposed to light, choose darker bins to avoid fading in your fabrics.
4.Create an Inventory System
Creating an inventory system is crucial to keeping you organised and allowing you to easily access items of clothing. There are a few options to choose from when deciding on an inventory system.
5. Colour coordinated inventory:
For this inventory system, you colour code each box in your unit. Each colour could be linked to a specific type of clothing whether it be divided by family members, season, or item type. Keep a sheet to refer to that will indicate which colour coordinates with which items.
6. Labels:
With this system, you label each box for storing clothes in storage units. Something like “Dad’s Woolly jumpers” for example. This way, you can easily find the bin that has the item you are looking for. Make sure you are organised and specific while packing to help when you need to unpack.
7. Inventory List:
The inventory list is the most extensive option. It can be combined with the other two options and will help you be certain about where your items are. On this list, you write down every item in your bin. You list the item, along with a brief description of it, as well as the size of the article of clothing. This can be taped onto the bin or why not go crazy, and create a spreadsheet! It will allow you to know for certain the contents of your bins so that you don’t waste time digging through them.
8. Never Vacuum Pack
Vacuum packing may save a lot of space, but it’s also very damaging to your clothing. Packing clothing this way long term can lead to permanent creasing and wrinkles. Natural fibers need to breathe, and by sucking all the air out of them, you are quickening the process of deterioration to your clothing. To avoid suffocating your items, lightly pack them into bins, keeping the heavier items on the bottom.
9. Keep Bugs Out
Let’s be honest, mothballs smell awful. Luckily, they aren’t your only option when storing your clothing. Instead, throw some cedar chips in with your clothes to deter pests. They work just as well as mothballs, but without pesticides that can be harmful to your clothing. You can purchase them in either porous bags, or in larger blocks. At My Storage, we practice preventative pest control and we do not allow food storage, which is another way to avoid pests in your clothing.
10. Store in a Dry, Dark, & Cool Place
Store clothing in a dry, dark, and cool environment. If the environment is bright, the light can cause fading in your fabrics. Many people choose to store their clothing in attics or garages, but these areas are susceptible to extreme temperature changes, which can damage clothing. Your best option can be climate-controlled storage units. Climate-control units are kept at consistent humidity and temperature, providing you with a perfect environment for long-term clothing storage.
11. Use a Wardrobe Box
For more delicate clothing, invest in a wardrobe box to hang your clothing. You should always avoid metal hangers, as they can cause the fabric to stretch. They may also rust in humid environments or rip clothes with their sharp edges. Instead, invest in wooden or padded hangers for your clothing. Do not cover wardrobe boxes with plastic. Instead, cover with a cotton sheet to protect them from dust and light.
12. Refold Every Few Years
If you won’t be rotating your wardrobe, you should visit your unit every 1-2 years to refold your clothing. This helps prevent permanent creasing and will also allow you to check on your clothing. You can check and make sure there are no pests, dust, water damage, or stains developing.
By following these 
tips, I’m sure you can feel confident that your clothing will stay in good condition while in storage. Now that you know how to store clothes in a storage unit, the next step is to decide on the storage unit that is right for you. Our friendly staff at My Storage has plenty of tips on unit sizes, so why not give us a call on 035444393, fill out the contact form below or come see us in the office at 68 Gladstone Road, Richmond NZ. We will help walk you through your options and help you get the right unit.
Look forward to hearing from you. Bye for now..
For more tips and advice for storing clothes in storage units visit Salvation Army: https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/centres/nz/nelson-marlborough/nelson
or Habitat: https://habitat.org.nz/restore/nelson/ as well as https://www.persil.com/uk/laundry/laundry-tips/washing-tips/storing-clothes.html
