Putting Clothing Into Storage: Four Essential Tips

If you have more stuff than you can fit into your current apartment or house, then putting some things into a storage unit may be a great option. Clothing is one of the easiest things to store since it's lightweight and easy to pack. You don't have to worry about it shattering if you drop it as you do with dishes and electronics! However, there are some intricacies to storing clothing. Follow these four essential tips to ensure your clothes emerge from storage in good shape.

Tip #1: Use silicone desiccant.

You've probably seen those little packets of silicone that come in shoes, purses, and other items. They're designed to absorb moisture so that the item itself stays dry even when the weather fluctuates. Scattering a few of them throughout your boxes of clothing will do the same for your clothes. You can purchase desiccant packets at most sewing and fabric stores.

Tip #2: Use waterproof totes.

You never know when something will spill in a nearby storage unit and end up puddling under the wall and into your unit. There may even be a rainstorm that results in flooding. If your clothes are all in boxes or bags, they will get wet in these instances. In plastic totes, however, they will be protected even if a few inches of water seep in. Do make sure you get totes where the lids fit somewhat loosely. You want your clothing to have a little ventilation to keep it smelling fresh.

Tip #3: Don't fold clothing that's susceptible to wrinkles.

You can fold cotton, wool, and rayon clothing without worry. Even if the cotton gets a bit wrinkly while in storage, you can iron it when you take it out. What you need to worry about are delicate items that you usually store in hangers. If the tag says "do not press" or "do not press with heat," you'd better not fold it. Either package it up in a plastic garment bag and find somewhere to hang it in your storage unit, or roll it up neatly and put it in a tote.

Tip #4: Choose climate-controlled storage.

Even silicone desiccants have their limit. On a hot and humid day, they may absorb all that they can, leaving your clothes susceptible to moisture. You're far better off choosing a climate-controlled unit. You'll pay a bit more, but the humidity level will be kept constant so there's far less chance of mold.

Talk to a mover, like http://www.fatherandsonne.com, for more help.