Tips on long term storage of clothes

With the arrival of the monsoons, our wardrobe undergoes some reshuffling, wherein thicker clothing gets swapped for light weight garments. Putting clothes in storage keeps them safe until you're ready to wear them again. What you need to keep in mind is that the high levels of humidity during these four months of monsoons can be detrimental to our clothes if not stored properly. Mould, mildew, humidity, insects and pests are some of our main concerns.

Follow these few useful tips to preserve your clothes and keep them looking fresh season after season.

Always clean clothes before storing. Lingering oils from deodorants and perfumes, and perspiration can discolour fabric over time. Food stains will attract moths. Do not iron with starch; bugs love it. Make sure to check the wash care label of the garment you intend to store whether it is meant to be dry cleaned, hand washed or machine washed. Never machine wash a garment that is meant to be dry cleaned. Washing and drying the clothes in the sun before packing it away at the end of the season will help to kill any larvae that may be present. Cotton garments can also be ironed as a further deterrent.

Pack clothes in sealed containers. Air tight plastic containers with a lid are the best thing to pack your clothes into. Not only do they look neat in your wardrobe, but they also keep your clothes dry and stop the growth of mould and mildew, in most cases. When using plastic containers, ensure they are clean and dry. You can also choose to store your clothes in chests or empty suitcases. Sarees can be stored in old pillow cases or breathable saree bags. Avoid plastic bags as these can trap moisture and cause mildew to form or cause the yellowing of fabrics. Do not pack your clothing in a cardboard box as it can attract rats, mice and termites. A lot of people prefer storing their clothes in vacuum seal bags. While these bags can be great space savers, do keep in mind that they can be damaging to the fabric. The reason is that most natural fibre cloth needs air to maintain its structure and integrity and by sucking all of the air out of the bag, you are compressing the garments and compressing the fibres.

Mend, sew and repair damaged garments before putting them away. Repair rips or tears and replace missing buttons and accessories on garments. You may not remember that a garment is damaged when you decide to wear it in the following season.

Store clothes in a clean, cool, dark and dry place. Ideally it is suggested that clothing should be stored in conditions that do not exceed 23°C with a relatively humidity of 55%. Avoid storing clothes in a place which is prone to dampness such as wall cupboards or attics. Silica gel packs are excellent moisture absorbers and can absorb up to 40% of moisture. These come along with electronic gadgets and shoes. Instead of throwing them away, just store them along with your clothes.

Use natural moth repellents. Refrain from using naphthalene balls which not only smell terrible, are not 100 per cent effective, but are also dangerous if swallowed by a pet or child. Use dry neem leaves instead. Do not use fresh leaves as they could stain the fabric. Mint leaves are another effective moth repellent. Place a handful of dried mint in a sachet, or place loose leaves among your clothes. Peppermint oil works well, too. Just apply a few drops to a cotton ball, and tuck it in the corner of your closet. Add more peppermint oil when the smell starts to wear off. Mint is also good for keeping mice away. Other options are cedar wood, Cloves, thyme and rosemary. Fill a sachet bag with cedar wood, or alternatively a combination of cloves, thyme and rosemary herbs. Replace the contents of your sachet every six months, or whenever they begin to lose their fragrance. Cedar wood can be sandpapered lightly to bring back its scent. Another option is to apply cedar oil or lavender essential oil on a cotton ball and use it as a natural moth repellent.

It is important to check on your stored garments from time to time in order to minimize the risk of the items getting damaged or save them before they do. Change the folds of items such as sarees or scarves so that they may not fray at the folds. This will help preserve your clothes for a long time to come and as the next season arrives, you know you’re ready to get stylish!