A self-storage unit is the perfect solution for your seasonal clothing. Keep your home closets organized and clutter-free by putting the clothes your family won't be wearing for a few months in a place they'll be safe and out of the way. To make sure your clothes come out of the unit in good shape and ready to wear, follow these storage tips.

BRING IN A WARDROBE RACK

You can't install a pole for hangers by nailing anything to the wall, but you can bring in a wardrobe rack on wheels. This rack allows you to hang some of your clothes rather than fold them so you can protect the fabric and avoid wrinkles. Racks often have shelves on the top and bottom that are perfect for hat boxes and other delicate items.

An alternative to a wardrobe rack is a wardrobe box. Buy one of these from a moving company to store your hanging clothes instead. A wardrobe box has a bar across the top of it for holding clothing on hangers. The advantage of a box is that it performs double-duty of hanging clothing and boxing it up too.

Choose clothes to hang carefully because heavy sweaters will pull out of shape when left on hangers a long time. It's best to fold sweaters and knit items and hang only clothing that won't stretch. Also, be sure to use fabric or plastic hangers so there is no risk of rust stains developing from metal hangers.

CHOOSE TRANSPARENT PLASTIC STORAGE TOTES

Plastic storage totes are the best choice for storing clothing. Plastic offers more protection than cardboard, and the rigid construction holds your clothes in position better than plastic bags. If you choose the transparent variety, you can see the clothing inside without having to dig through everything if you're looking for a particular item.

If humidity is a concern, you can add a desiccant pack to each storage tote before you close it. You may also want to toss in a cedar ball or block to repel insects. Although vacuum bags reduce the amount of storage space you need, it's possible your clothing could be harmed if kept in them for an extended time. Your clothing needs adequate air circulation and dark storage conditions for the best chance of coming out of storage in the same condition it went in.

REMOVE STAINS BEFORE STORING

Look over each item of clothing before putting it in a tote or wardrobe box. It should be clean and free from stains. If a stain is left on fabric for months in storage, it may never come out. Ideally, the clothing should be repaired if needed, smelling fresh, and ready to wear when it's stored.

You'll be happy you took the time to prepare your clothing properly when the season changes and you take it back out of storage. Your family's clothes will be ready to wear without the fuss and trouble of making repairs and scrubbing stains to get them in shape.

CHECK YOUR STORED CLOTHES OCCASIONALLY

When using a self-storage unit for seasonal clothing, you'll be visiting your clothes a few times a year to keep watch on their condition. If you're putting your clothing in storage for the long-term, then it's a good idea to visit the unit occasionally to make sure the clothes are dry and safe. Even if you'll be checking them at the change of seasons, you may want to drop in after a big storm with prolonged heavy rains. Mold, insects, and rodents are the enemies of clothes in storage.

A storage facility is a better option than storing your things in a shed on your property because you'll have better protection for your clothing. But you should still check on your clothing occasionally if you can.

Fabrics you wear every day tolerate storage conditions much better than exotic materials, such as fur and leather. You should keep expensive clothing, delicate fabrics, fur, and leather in your home rather than a storage unit unless the unit has climate-controlled conditions.

If you have questions about renting a unit for your family's clothing and other belongings that you want out of the way, give Sutters Fort Self Storage a call