Are you looking for how to store clothes in storage unit? Deciding what to store and how best to do it can be hard.
Moving water around the home can be a challenge, particularly if you have to go uphill or downhill. Fortunately, there is an efficient way of doing this without using pumps or other costly equipment – by using gravity-fed containers such as storage tanks. With this method, you don’t need electricity or fuel to move the water from container to house. This blog post will show you how easy it is to pump water from a storage tank up to your house!
So whether you want to store rainwater for gardening purposes, supply water for flushing toilets and showers in the summertime, or keep drinking water on demand – we’ve got all the information you’ll need right here!
What Will You Need?
To get started, you’ll need the following:
- Storage Unit or Area: The first item you’ll need is a storage unit. This could be a dedicated storage facility or a space in your home that you can use for this purpose. Be sure to choose a climate-controlled unit to protect your clothes from extreme temperatures and humidity.
- Plastic Containers: Store clothes in clean, airtight plastic containers for best results. These protect against dust, pests, and moisture better than cardboard boxes.
- Mothballs or Cedar Balls: These will help to deter pests like moths that can damage your clothes.
- Acid-Free Tissue Paper: Use this to wrap delicate or vintage clothing. It will help prevent discoloration and fabric decay.
- Vacuum Sealed Bags are excellent for saving space and protecting clothes, especially bulky items like winter jackets and blankets.
Now that we’ve covered the essential items you’ll need let’s move on to the steps involved in packing your clothes for storage.
10 Easy Steps on How to Store Clothes in Storage Unit
Step 1: Sort Your Clothes
Before packing your clothes for storage, sorting them into categories is a good idea. This could be by season, by how often you wear them, or by type (dresses, tops, pants, etc.). This will make the packing process easier and help you organize your storage unit more effectively. Remember, only pack clean and dry clothes to prevent odors and mold growth.
Step 2: Clean Your Clothes
Before storing, make sure all your clothes are clean and dry. Dust, oils, or stains can set in over time and become impossible to remove. Dry cleaning or laundering clothes before storage can prevent this. Remove any metal accessories (like brooches or pins) from your clothes to avoid rust stains. Clean off any dirt for shoes and use a leather conditioner if necessary. Finally, ensure all clothes and shoes are completely dry before packing to prevent mildew growth.
Step 3: Pack Your Clothes
It’s time to start packing once your clothes are clean and dry. For best results, fold clothes neatly to prevent wrinkles. You can also roll clothes to save space. Place heavier items at the bottom of your storage container and lighter items on top. Delicate or vintage clothes should be wrapped in acid-free tissue paper to prevent damage. If you’re using vacuum-sealed bags, ensure you seal them properly to keep out air and moisture.
Step 4: Protect Your Clothes
After packing your clothes, you must ensure they are well protected. If you’re storing them in plastic containers, ensure they are clean and dry before you place your clothes inside. For added protection against pests and odors, consider adding mothballs or cedar balls to your storage containers. However, do not let these items directly contact your clothes to prevent discoloration. For clothes prone to losing shape (like suits or gowns), consider using acid-free tissue paper or muslin to stuff them and help maintain their form.
Step 5: Store Your Clothes
Finally, it’s time to store your clothes. When you place your containers in the storage unit, remember to organize them in a way that makes sense. You should group them by season, type, or frequency of use. Do not stack the containers too high to prevent them from falling and damaging your clothes. Ensure the storage unit is clean, dry, and secure before leaving your clothes.
Step 6: Regular Maintenance
It’s essential to regularly check your storage unit to ensure that your clothes remain in good condition. Inspect your clothes for any signs of mold, mildew, or pest infestation. Moreover, refreshing the mothballs or cedar balls periodically, ensuring the storage unit is clean and dry, and rearranging or re-folding clothes can help maintain their quality and longevity. This maintenance might seem tedious, but it’s the best way to ensure your clothes stay in tip-top shape while in storage.
Step 7: Retrieving Your Clothes
When retrieving your clothes from storage, it’s essential to handle them with care. Remove the containers or bags one at a time to prevent accidental falls or damage. Scrutinize each piece of clothing for any signs of damage, mold, or pests. If you find any issues, treat them appropriately before returning the clothing to your regular rotation. Remember, it’s best to wash or dry clean your clothes after removing them from storage, as they may have absorbed odors or dust during storage.
Step 8: Re-organizing After Retrieval
Once you’ve retrieved and cleaned your clothes from storage, it’s time to re-organize them into your wardrobe. Depending on how you sorted your clothes before storage, it might be helpful to continue the same system. For instance, if you sorted them by season, reintegrate the clothes you’ll need for the current season into your closet first. This way, you maintain an organized system and prevent cluttering your wardrobe with items you won’t need immediately.
Step 9: Re-packing After Retrieval
When you’re done re-organizing, it’s time to pack up the clothes that will be needed later. To make the process easier, consider using vacuum-sealed bags for bulky items like winter jackets or blankets, as this will help save space and protect your clothes from dust and pests. Use acid-free tissue paper to prevent damage and ensure the fabric maintains its integrity for delicate items.
Step 10: Regular Rotation of Clothes
Finally, it’s important to rotate your clothes in storage regularly. Storing the same items for too long can lead to discoloration, mold growth, or humidity damage. Therefore, when you put away clothes that aren’t currently needed, remember to switch up your storage items and bring out clothes that haven’t been used. This regular rotation of clothes will keep them in the best condition possible for when you need them again.
Following these steps, you can easily store and protect your clothes from dust, pests, odors, humidity damage, and more!
5 Additional Tips and Tricks
- Clean Before Storing: Prior to storing, ensure all clothes are washed and dried completely to prevent mold and mildew growth.
- Use Plastic Bins: Opt for clear, airtight plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes. They offer better protection from pests and possible water damage.
- Vacuum Pack Seasonal Items: To save space and protect clothes from changing conditions, vacuum packing seasonal items such as heavy coats or beachwear is a smart choice.
- Store Heavy Items at the Bottom: When arranging the bins, always store the heaviest at the bottom to avoid damaging lighter items.
- Label Everything: To allow easy access to stored items, always label the bins with a brief description of the contents.
With these tips and tricks, storing clothes in a storage unit becomes a streamlined, efficient process.
5 Things You Should Avoid
- Avoid Storing Wet or Damp Clothes: Never store clothes that are wet or even slightly damp. This can cause mold and mildew to grow, damaging your items and potentially even the storage unit.
- Avoid Using Mothballs: Though commonly used, mothballs have a strong odor and can be harmful to children and pets. Opt for cedar chips or lavender sachets instead.
- Avoid Storing in Plastic Bags: Plastic bags can trap moisture, leading to mold growth. Use them sparingly and ensure clothes are completely dry before storage.
- Avoid Overfilling Bins: Overfilled bins can lead to wrinkling or damage to the clothes. Ensure there’s enough room for your clothes to breathe.
- Avoid Storing Directly on the Floor: Placing your stored items directly on the floor leaves them vulnerable to pests and potential water damage. Always use shelves or pallets to keep items elevated.
Avoiding these mistakes can significantly extend the life of your stored clothes and maintain the integrity of your storage unit.
Conclusion
Storing your clothes in a storage unit, while it can seem like an overwhelming task, is something that everyone should at least consider if they need more space and organization. Thanks to the tips provided above, you should have all the tools and information necessary to embark upon this journey in order to give your closet the makeover it needs! While storing your clothing away for long periods of time can be daunting, think of it as a chance to create a new beginning and arrange all of items in the best possible way.
Additionally, this process allows you to cleanse your closet of items that no longer serve a purpose or are no longer needed- thereby creating a much more organized version of yourself! All that said, never forget the timeless adage: “A tidy living space is indicative of a sound mind.”
Hopefully, the article on how to store clothes in storage unit has helped provide you with the necessary tips and tricks needed to begin this process. All that’s left now is to take action and start organizing! Good luck, and happy tidying up!
