3 Tips for Storing Your Clothing
Storage units are used for far more than storing furniture and other furnishings. Many people store their clothing in the units. Before storing the clothing, there are precautions you need to ensure they are not damaged while they are put away. Here are several preparatory steps you can take now.
Wash Your Clothes
You were more than likely already going to wash your clothes before placing them in storage, but you need to make some changes to how you wash them. For instance, you need to avoid washing them in perfumed detergent. You also need to skip out on the starch and fabric softener. The odor from those substances can attract pests to your storage unit.
Washing the clothes also helps to prevent stains from setting in your clothes. The stains could be particularly challenging to remove when you take them out of storage.
Choose the Right Packing Method
Ideally, you should pack your clothing in wardrobe boxes. Other types of packaging could prove damaging to your clothing. For instance, a vacuum-sealed container would allow in enough moisture that your clothes could mildew during humid periods.
When packing the clothes in the boxes, resist the urge to toss in mothballs. Although mothballs are supposed to protect the clothing from moths, it can lead to an annoying consequence. After you take the clothes out of storage, it will be difficult to get the smell of the mothballs out of the fabric.
Even in wardrobe boxes, your clothes could be exposed to humidity that causes mildew. To avoid this, toss in chemical desiccants packages with the clothing. The packages will absorb the moisture for months.
It is important to note that if you are storing furs, they should not be placed in the box. They can be irreparably crushed. Hang and cover them with a plastic bag.
Opt for a Climate-Controlled Unit
For added protection, your clothing should be stored in a climate-controlled unit. If you place your clothing is placed in a non-controlled unit, the temperatures within it will fluctuate. When this happens, moisture is more likely to develop in the boxes. However, a climate-controlled unit keeps the area at a steady temperature that is better for your clothing.
A climate-controlled unit is also ideal for your furs. Your furs will be kept from drying out, and the climate control will help to keep the pests away.
Before closing the door on your self-storage unit, check with the storage company, perhaps Empire Self Storage, for additional tips on keeping your clothes in good condition.