Summer is just around the corner, which means it’s time to put away the sweaters and take out the shorts and t-shirts. Most of us are very happy to put away our winter wardrobes, but if you want to make sure your clothes still look good after being in storage for months, here are some helpful tips.

Wash everything

It may not seem logical to wash something that you are going to keep for a few months, but it is actually very important to do so if you want to keep your clothes. Dirt, food and sweat particles can cause staining if left on for a long period of time and can be difficult or even impossible to remove. Dirty clothes are also more likely to attract insects that could cause damage.

Use plastic containers

The best way to store your clothes is in plastic containers. They will keep your clothes dry, protected and free of mold and mildew. Avoid using plastic bags because they trap moisture and cause mold, and cardboard boxes do not protect against vermin.

Temperature control

The best storage conditions for your clothes are in a clean, cool, dark and dry room. Ideally, the room shouldn’t be hotter than 23 degrees Celsius, so if your loft gets very hot during the summer months, this might not be the best place to store your clothes.

Storage

A storage unit is a great place to store your summer wardrobe and whatever else you might want out of your way. You can be sure that these units are temperature controlled and very safe. In addition, you can also access what you need at the time you want. This means that if the British summer decides to disappoint and you need to pull out those sweaters after all, you can easily do so.

Use cedar balls

Many of us are afraid of using mothballs because they smell awful and what’s more, they are not 100% effective and can also be very dangerous if found by children or pets. A much better alternative is cedar wood balls. They are much gentler on the nose and even more effective than mothballs when used correctly.

Be careful when hanging items

It may seem logical to hang everything to avoid creating wrinkles that will be difficult to remove, but sometimes this can do more harm than good. Sweaters and other knitwear can seriously deform and stretch beyond repair due to long-term hanging, so items like this are best carefully folded and placed in a plastic container.

Another great tip is to store the heaviest items at the bottom and the lightest items at the top. Not only does this minimize wrinkles, but loosely stacking clothing allows air to continue to circulate even when stored for an extended period.