Summer vacation has flown by again this year. With more than enough anecdotes, we return to family, friends, and colleagues. Yet upon returning, a chore awaits that not everyone is waiting for: unpacking and storing your summer outfits. Depending on your storage space, you have several methods to make this process as orderly as possible. Here are some tips so you can pull your vacation clothes out fresh next year:
1. Wash everything thoroughly
A simple task, but certainly no less important. You’d be surprised how much change, pens, and papers we forget in our pockets. So empty them first so they can’t discolor or damage the fabric. Also, look at the washing instructions on the label before you start; this will preserve the quality. Also, let them dry out well to avoid mustiness and mold.
2. See if summer outfits still fit you
This is a great time to clean up. Does something no longer fit or attract you? Donate it to a thrift store or sell it yourself online. Garments that are damaged or worn out are best recycled. See if there is a collection point near you where you can drop it off.
3. Choose the right storage
To avoid discoloration, it is advisable to store clothes in a dark room. It is wise to go for an area with stable temperature and low humidity. This can be a closed closet that you don’t open often or the attic/loft. It is wise to store your clothes in breathable places like crates or cardboard boxes. Should you have little suitable space, vacuuming your clothes in special storage bags is a good option.
4. Fold and hang your summer clothes neatly
Consider that your clothes will disappear in a closet or box for months. Nothing is more annoying to have to iron deep wrinkles and prints out of the fabric or have it steamed. So you save time by paying extra attention to accurate folding:
- For shirts and polos, it is wise to button them. Fold them in even widths. This makes the final stack stable. In addition, you save space by stacking the collars alternately, just as they do in stores.
- With pants, it is also wise to button and zipper them completely. Make sure the legs are folded straight together. This will make the fabric less likely to crease.
- If you have clothes that need to be hung, such as the wedding suit from your summer wedding, use special covers in combination with cedar hangers. The cedar spreads a scent that keeps moths away.
5. Protect your clothes
Since no one feels like checking summer clothes on a weekly basis, there are some precautions you can take. For example, a moisture trap removes humidity and nasty odors from the air. Cedar cubes or balls keep moths away. A pouch with lavender, rosemary, or cloves spreads a pleasant scent and keeps insects at bay. Are you bothered by mice or rats? Then plastic boxes with lids are the best.
