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!
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