Winter is coming and it's time to bring out your autumn and winter clothes. But before you bring out your winter staples, it's important to correctly store your summer wardrobe. Correct cleaning and storage, especially of summer fabrics, will save you money and time in the future. So you don't have to search for a bathing suit only to find that it's stretched out and unwearable.
Wash your clothes first
Anything that's being removed from your closet should be washed before it goes into storage. This will get rid of dirt, dust, and grime that might be lingering on the fabric.
Decide whether to fold or hang
Most summer clothing — shorts, tank tops, sundresses, and light shirts — can be folded up and stored through the winter. However, more delicate or fancier items may need to be stored in garment bags.
Invest in the right containers and bags
As for the rest of your clothes, you'll want to pack them up in storage containers. Plastic bins and under bed plastic containers are great for long-term storage, and if your home is prone to pests, they will keep the bugs out. If you want to get the most out of any space, grab a few vacuum packaging bags. The traditional method of vacuum packaging bags includes the removal of excess air from the packaging material prior to sealing.
Don't overpack
It's tempting to stuff as many garments as possible into each bin, but this can hurt you in the long run. If the bag doesn't zip or the lid doesn't fit tightly, you're allowing room for pests to get in. And if you try to zip an overstuffed bag, it may end up ripping the seams.
Include pest repellents
Pests like moths and beetles are crafty and sometimes they manage to worm their way into your storage, even if you think the bins are sealed tightly.