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Issue Date: March 23, 2008
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5 things
you need
to know about |
How to store winter clothes
1. Sort before you store. Make one pile for repairs and one for giveaways, and toss anything not worth donating. Get rid of winter clothes that you put into circulation each fall but never wear. "The beginning of a new season is one of the best times to clean out your closet," says Carolyn Jefferson of Behind Closed Doors, a Dallas closet design firm.
2. Next, head to the laundry room or dry cleaner. This applies even if the garment has been lightly worn. "It's important to clean your clothes before you store them. Waiting will let stains set in and can attract moths," says Chuck Horst of Margaret's Cleaners, with shops in Southern California. He also recommends brushing your clothes periodically with a fabric brush to shake loose any moths' eggs or larvae.
3. Recall the lessons of Mommie Dearest: No wire hangers! They are flimsy and can leave indentations in clothes. Instead, transfer freshly washed or dry-cleaned clothing to padded or sturdy plastic hangers. Use heavier wooden coat hangers for outerwear and men's suits. Padded hangers will help women's blouses, dresses and suits stay in fine shape when stored.
4. Avoid plastic storage or dry-cleaning bags. They impede airflow and don't allow clothes, especially natural fabrics, to breathe, which can lead to discoloration.
5. Store clothes in a closet that is cool, dark and dry. Exposure to moisture can cause mold and mildew to develop. -- Andrea King Collier
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