How to Pack Away Your Winter Wardrobe

The weather is finally warming up! On the first beautiful, sunny day, you might be tempted to shove your winter clothing into the back of the drawer to replace it with your favorite summer garb. But if you don’t pack your winter wardrobe away carefully, you might be setting yourself up for an unpleasant surprise when the weather gets cold again. If your packing techniques aren’t up to snuff, you might find your garments stained, faded, or chewed up by moths.

While the prospect of finding damaged clothes may seem stressful, packing away your winter clothing doesn’t have to be. These six simple steps can help you keep your clothing safe, clean, and ready for next winter.

Clean Everything

Winter can be hard on your wardrobe. If you live in an area prone to ice and snow, your garments may have picked up road salt and sand. Inconsistent winter temperatures can also cause you to sweat, which your clothes may absorb. Before you pack away clothes and shoes, clean them properly. Clothes should be laundered or dry cleaned following their care instructions to prevent stains from setting. Most shoes can usually be gently cleaned with a soft cloth and water. However, this varies based on the materials.

While cleaning your wardrobe is important for reducing long-term damage from stains, it is also a valuable way to deter clothing moths. Clothing moths are drawn to sweat, dust, and hair, so a good wash may make your garments seem less appetizing to the little monsters.

Get Rid of Things You Know You Won’t Wear Again

Since you’re going through your wardrobe to pack it away, it’s the perfect opportunity to cull the garments you know you’re unlikely to wear next year. If you just get rid of it now, you won’t have to deal with the hassle of packing it away or unpacking it next year. Most organizations that take clothing donations have ample warehouse space, so they usually accept clothing off-season. They’ll bring it out once the weather gets cold again, and your unwanted clothing can keep someone else warm.

Set Aside Items You Might Wear Year-Round

Just because winter is ending doesn’t mean there won’t be cold weather ahead! It can get chilly during the summer, especially in the morning and at night. Make sure to leave a few garments out to keep you warm during summer bonfires and morning walks. Cardigans and sweatshirts usually work particularly well.

Consider Extra Moth Protection

Cleaning your clothes is an important first step in protecting against moths, but there is more that you can do. Lavender and cedar are usually relatively affective at deterring moths. You may want to include some lavender sachets or cedar blocks wherever you intend to store your off-season clothing. Not only can these reduce the moth risk, but they can also keep your clothing smelling fresher.

Even if you don’t think you have clothing moths, you may want to take simple steps to ensure they don’t reach your clothing. It’s so easy for moths to sneak in, and you might not even notice until your clothes are damaged.

Store in Something Protective

There are countless products designed to help protect your off-season clothing. Some storage containers can slide neatly under your bed, while others can be stacked in your closet or spare bedroom. If you have a limited space to store your winter clothing, you might also benefit from vacuum storage bags.

Tuck Out of the Way

Find an out-of-the-way place to store your off-season clothing. You don’t want to be tripping over them or having to move them out of the way whenever you want to access your summer clothing.

It’s also important to keep your clothing away from light and moisture. Bright light could fade the colors of your clothing, while moisture could cause mildew or mold.

Once your winter clothing is safely packed away, it’s time to get out your summer wardrobe and enjoy the nice weather!