Don't Just Store — Protect

Clothes need protection against bugs, dust, heat, humidity and light — all elements that can cause mildew and fading. Fortunately, a little prevention can go a long way. With a mix of the right storage area, products and repellents, you can protect your clothing for a long time. Here are a few things you should consider.

Pests Can Be Pesky

Insects can cause the most damage and should be your number one concern, particularly in warm climates. Clothes moths and carpet beetles are the primary pests that damage animal fibres (such as, mohair, silk, leather, fur, down, felt, cashmere and wool).

Clothes moth larvae are so tiny, you could easily mistake them for a piece of lint. But they’re capable of ravaging a closet full of clothes in one short season.
 
Carpet beetles eat in both the larvae and flying stages and can cause considerably more damage. Both pests like stained clothing even more, so it's essential that you remove all stains and clean all clothes before storing.

Prevention = Preservation

Don't let your guard down in any season. You need pest protection year round. Here are five ways to prevent infestation and stored clothing loss:
 
1. Enclosure — Choose the space and storage products best suited to your type of clothing.
2. Natural repellents — The essential oils in cedar will repel adult moths and carpet beetles. Cedar smells good, is renewable and comes in many forms including blocks, hangers and sachets. Look for herbal products that perform the same function.
3. Insecticides — Instead of old-fashioned mothballs, try a moth repellent containing paradichlorobenzene. You can use less to get the same results and there is no clinging odour or risk of fabric staining.
4. Dehumidifiers — Use dehumidifying packaged products to prevent mold, mildew and fungus. New packaged dehumidifiers are easy and convenient to use in almost any space.
5.  Specialized care — For special items (such as furs and down jackets), consider commercial cold storage. If you have rare or vintage items, use archival storage boxes and acid-free tissues. Many storage companies also offer special kits for the preservation of items like wedding gowns and baby clothes.

Basic Storage Do's and Don'ts

Do

• Wash and dry-clean everything before storing. Use your favourite formula of Tide® to pretreat stains and clean washable items. Add Bounce® sheets in envelopes for added freshness.
• Select a cool, well-ventilated storage area.
• Clean your storage area and let it air out if you can.
• Keep it dark. Ultraviolet light deteriorates fabric over time.
• Check on stored items every few months. Refold to avoid creases and check for pests, refreshing repellents.
• Consider letting a dry cleaner store your clothing. Many offer this service at reasonable prices.

Don't

• Use starch or sizing. It can attract silverfish and crickets and encourage mold and mildew.
• Carpet your storage area. Carpet harbours dust and pests.
• Hang stretchy knits or fragile items. They'll pull out of shape with gravity.
• Overfill closets or drawers. Permit air circulation.
• Use plastic bags. They encourage moisture and mildew.
• Prevention. The best advice your stored clothing will ever get — and your best method of protection

Prevention. The best advice your stored clothing will ever get — and your best method of protection.

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Clothing Storage: Prevention = Protection

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