I am going to be going away for a year and need to box my clothes for storage. Are mothballs a good idea? What is the best way to store clothing long term?
Sandra M. emailed us at asktheexpert@sweetspot.ca ; and our clothing-storage expert, Courtney Whiteside, answered:
When storing your clothing long term take into account the environment you are going to store them in, the types of boxes you intend to use, and the condition your clothes are in.
Mothballs were once fashionable, but times have changed; more recently it has been shown that they are composed of hazardous chemicals. The best and most natural solution on the market is cedar and/or lavender; both are environmentally friendly and make your clothes smell wonderful. You can find cedar and lavender in a variety of formats (hanging, flat, sachets, etc.) When you find the smell of cedar diminishing simply rough the surface with sand paper and voila, the scent returns!
There are several things one can do to minimize damage to clothing in the long-term such as storing clothing in cool, dry, and dark places. Humidity and heat will increase the likelihood of attracting insects. Try to find a place to store your items where the temperature won’t fluctuate and will stay below 70°F.
While plastic storage boxes and cardboard boxes are sturdy and stackable, clothes aren’t given the chance to breathe, trapping in moisture and producing odours when you open the boxes a year later. Try to find boxes made of fabrics like cotton, canvas, or woven polyester. These materials allow clothing to breathe and in doing so, won’t trap moisture or odours in your clothes. Fabric boxes can be found in a variety of colours and sizes giving you the ability to blend them into your décor.
Some clothes (evening gowns and business suits) are more suitable to be stored on hangers. However, don’t be tempted to use the free bags you get from dry cleaners. These transparent plastic bags trap moisture and don’t allow your clothes to breathe. There are a variety of good quality garment bags on the market made from natural fibres or breathable fabrics that are ideal for long term storage. They come in a variety of lengths and won’t break the bank.
However you choose to store your clothes ensure that they are cleaned before being stored. Sugar based stains, for example, when left on your clothing for long periods of time can permanently set into fabrics. Dry cleaning also gives you the added benefit of being able to wear items as soon as you take them out of storage!
Recently more services have become available to store clothes in optimum conditions away from home. These services give the consumer the ability to switch their wardrobe every season or store clothes, such as wedding dresses and heirloom items, for long periods of time. Whatever service you end up choosing make sure the company provides you with insurance and follows the guidelines above.
Courtney Whiteside is President of Store Your Style a specialist clothing and lifestyle storage service based in Toronto. She can be reached at www.storeyourstyle.com ; courtney@storeyourstyle.com ; or 416-607-6608.