Your clothes are some of the belongings that you use every single day, but large wardrobes can take up a massive amount of space within your bedroom and home and can be relatively impractical. In an effort to free up more space, you may want to consider placing your items in storage—especially if you have small children and you plan on handing down your clothes as they grow up. However, you need to take the proper steps to protect your clothes from damage when putting them in self storage.
Launder Everything
No matter when the last time a specific item was worn, you need to make sure that you wash it before you place it in storage with other items. This will remove any dirt, debris, stains, or other chemicals and materials that could damage the fabric over time. Further, any hidden pests like moth eggs will be killed and removed during the washing process as well, saving your items form additional physical damage.
Pest Control
On a related note, you may want to place pest repellents around your items when you place them into storage. While mothballs are effective, they also carry a distinctive stink. Instead, you can use natural repellents like cedar chips, which smell nice and also work to keep insects and pests away. Scatter these around your storage unit instead of placing them directly on or by your clothing, however, since the smell of cedar can soak into the fabric and become hard to remove over longer periods of time.
Boxes and Garment Bags
For smaller items like socks and shorts, you can place them in sealed boxes. Long-term storage means that plastic totes are usually best, but be sure to place desiccant packets within the boxes to soak up any potential moisture that may be trapped in there as a result. Avoid using cardboard boxes unless you absolutely have to, since they can be damaged by moisture and eating through by pests. They can also be crushed in the event that other items are placed or fall on top of them. For more expensive items, you may want to consider purchasing individual garment bags to hold them, which will be breathable enough to prevent moisture damage but protective enough to keep dust, pests, and other elements out. Hanging items on clothing racks is the best way to ensure that their shapes are not altered or damaged.
If you're interested in renting self storage units, look into businesses like Stadium Storage.