Winter clothes take up space, and once the weather turns there is little reason to keep them in your everyday wardrobe. Storing them well over the warmer months protects the fabric, frees up room and means everything is ready to wear again when temperatures drop. The steps below cover how to prepare, pack and store winter clothing so it comes out of storage in good condition.
Clean everything before you store it
Always wash or dry clean winter items before they go away for the season. Marks that look invisible now, such as sweat, body oils and food, can set over several months and become much harder to remove. Clean fabric is also less attractive to moths and other pests, which are drawn to natural fibres and the residue left on worn clothing.
Make sure everything is completely dry before packing. Any trapped moisture in a sealed box or bag can lead to mildew and musty smells.
De-pill knits before they are packed away
Jumpers, cardigans and wool blends tend to pick up bobbles over a season of wear, particularly around the cuffs, underarms and anywhere the fabric rubs. Storing them in this state lets the pilling settle in, so it is worth tidying knitwear up first.
A f40 Fabric Shaver removes bobbles quickly and leaves the surface smooth, so your knits look closer to new when you unpack them next winter. Working through each item before storage is quicker than tackling a full wardrobe of pilled jumpers when the cold weather returns.
Steam before you store, rather than iron
Steaming relaxes creases and refreshes fabric without the direct heat and pressure of an iron, which is gentler on wool, cashmere and delicate weaves. A quick steam before packing helps garments settle flat or hang neatly, reducing the deep creases that can form over months in storage.
A f10 Handheld Clothes Steamer is easy to run over items as you pack them, and it is light enough to keep to hand. For coats, heavier knits and larger loads, the f1200 Clothes Steamer Pro holds more water and covers bigger garments in fewer passes.
Choose the right storage materials
Boxes and breathable bags
Natural fibres need to breathe, so avoid sealing wool and cotton in airtight plastic for long periods. Breathable cotton storage bags or fabric boxes are a better choice for knitwear and coats. Plastic vacuum bags can save space, but they are better suited to synthetics and bulky items like padded jackets than to delicate natural fibres.
Folding and hanging
Heavy knits should be folded rather than hung, as the weight can stretch the shoulders and distort the shape over time. Coats, blazers and structured pieces are better hung on sturdy hangers with enough space around them so they keep their form.
Where to store winter clothes
Pick somewhere cool, dark and dry. Lofts and garages are convenient, but they often swing between hot and cold and can attract damp, which is hard on fabric. A spare wardrobe, the space under a bed or the top of a cupboard inside the home usually offers more stable conditions.
Adding cedar blocks or lavender sachets can help deter moths without the strong smell of mothballs.
Refreshing clothes when you bring them out
When the colder months come back around, give everything a quick check before wearing. A light steam will lift any creases that have formed in storage and freshen up the fabric, and a quick pass with a fabric shaver will catch any new bobbles on knits.
If you would rather keep your garment care tools together, the Garment Care Duo pairs the f10 steamer with the f40 fabric shaver, which covers both jobs for most winter wardrobes.
With a little preparation now, your winter clothes will spend the summer protected and come out of storage ready to wear.