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How to Store Clothes In a Storage Unit
By Michelle Lambright Black MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Whether you’re storing your clothes for a season or you need a safe place to stash your clothing during a relocation, it’s important to learn how to keep your belongings safe. If you don’t take proper care of your clothes during the storage process, you might unpack an unpleasant surprise later in the form of damaged, mildewed, and unsalvageable garments.
The following guide provides helpful advice on how to store clothes in a storage unit. It will also give you our best tips for renting a storage unit for clothes along with some common mistakes to avoid.
Table of contents
- 1. Store your clothes clean
- 2. Get rid of unwanted clothes
- 3. Make an inventory and labels
- 4. Fold like a professional
- 5. Use cedar chips
- 6. Consider climate-controlled storage facilities
- Pros and cons of storing your clothes in a storage unit
- Best containers for clothes storage
1. Store your clothes clean
One of the most important storage tips you should follow is to wash and dry each item of clothing you plan to store. You may also want to iron your clothes for good measure to keep your garments wrinkle-free and in the best condition possible.
If you pack dirty clothes, it’s possible that stains, perspiration, and even perfumes might settle into the fabric. You might find it impossible to rid the garments of those stains and smells after enough time passes. Plus, dirty clothes have the potential to attract bugs and vermin.
2. Get rid of unwanted clothes
Once your clothing is clean, it’s wise to go through the garments with an objective eye before you choose which items to place in storage for the future. If you have clothing that no longer fits you, is out of fashion, or that you no longer enjoy wearing, consider purging those pieces from your wardrobe. Storing clothes that you’re unlikely to wear again will require extra work and additional space in storage containers and self-storage units.
There are several ways to get rid of unwanted clothing. Below are a few ideas for inspiration.
- Donate the garments to a local homeless shelter or other charitable organizations.
- Give hand-me-downs to a friend or family member.
- Sell clothes on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Poshmark, Thredup, etc.
- Resell clothing to a consignment store.
- Host a yard sale.
3. Make an inventory and labels
Once you decide which clothes you want to keep, it’s wise to make an inventory of each item of clothing you will be placing in storage. An inventory can help you keep your belongings organized. And when you add a simple labeling system, it can make finding your clothes easier once you’re ready to take them out of storage at a future date.
Creating an inventory of your clothes can also be a good idea for insurance purposes. If damage occurs while your belongings are in storage, a detailed list of your stored clothing could be a tremendous help. However, it’s important to point out that you may need to take out a separate storage unit insurance policy to protect yourself financially from vandalism, theft, or weather-related events.
4. Fold like a professional
Just as you opt to hang and fold certain clothing items at home, you should try to do the same when you store clothes in a storage unit. You’ll probably want to store clothing like delicate blouses, dresses, suits, and other wrinkle-sensitive items on hangers.
It may be fine to fold many other types of clothing such as:
- T-Shirts
- Jeans
- Leggings
- Sweaters
- Outwear
- Workout Clothes
- Baby Clothes
For the items you opt to fold, research ways to fold clothes nice and tight to save space and avoid as many wrinkles as possible. Some moving experts recommend rolling clothing for the best results.
5. Use cedar chips
Using cedar chips (or cedar balls) in your clothing storage containers is one of the more helpful hacks to consider when you place clothing in a self-storage facility. There are several benefits to this clothing storage strategy including the four below.
Cedar chips:
- Provide a pleasant smell (unlike mothballs).
- Absorb moisture.
- Repel certain insects (like moths).
- Contain no pesticides.
6. Consider climate-controlled storage facilities
You may want to consider renting space in a climate-controlled storage facility for your clothes. Keeping your clothing in a storage unit that isn’t subject to changes in temperature (especially extreme changes) may help keep your belongings in better condition. Climate-controlled storage units can also help reduce the dust to which your storage boxes and plastic storage containers are exposed.
Of course, the cost of a storage unit does tend to be higher in a climate-controlled facility. So you’ll need to make sure the added expense fits into your budget. You may also want to research the best storage companies in your area to find the storage solution that makes the most sense for you.
Pros and cons of storing your clothes in a storage unit
If you aren’t sure whether storing your clothes in a storage unit is the best option for you, here are some pros and cons to consider.
Best containers for clothes storage
Cardboard boxes
The most affordable way to store your clothing is to use cardboard boxes. According to ApartmentGuide, the average moving box costs between $1 to $4. But with a little research, you may be able to find free cardboard storage boxes in your area available for pick up from businesses or people who have recently completed a relocation.
Despite the budget-friendly aspect of using cardboard boxes to store clothes, there are downsides to consider. Cardboard does not do a good job of keeping moisture out, and your belongings could become damaged over time—especially if you live in a humid area and choose not to store your clothes in a climate-controlled unit.
Wardrobe boxes
A wardrobe box is a type of cardboard box that features a way to hang clothes across the top. Depending on where you purchase these boxes, they may cost you between $11 to $16 each (or more).
Wardrobe boxes may help you avoid (or at least reduce) wrinkles and keep your garments in better shape. As a result, this type of storage option might work well for short-term storage and relocation. But if you need to keep your clothes packed away for several months, the cardboard won’t do much to protect your items from damage should any problems arise.
Airtight plastic storage bins
The best way to store clothing is to use airtight plastic containers. When you use plastic storage bins properly, the containers should keep your garments moisture-free and prevent (or at least limit) mildew and mold growth.
On a negative note, plastic bins aren’t the most cost-effective storage option. Large storage totes can cost $35 or more per container depending on the size you need and the brand you purchase.
Vacuum bags
If you’re looking to save space and you don’t mind your clothing getting wrinkled, you might consider storing some items in vacuum bags. However, it’s important to understand that vacuum packing isn’t the right approach for all types of clothing.
You should not store wool, for example, in vacuum-sealed bags as the natural fibers of the clothing could become compressed permanently. Furs and other expensive and rare materials also should not be vacuum sealed since some wrinkles and creases caused by this storage method may be irreversible.
Vacuum bags are also a poor solution for long-term storage. Moisture can become trapped inside the plastic bags which could lead to mold and mildew problems over time. In other cases, the sealing process could dry out your clothing and lead to different problems.
Summary of our guide to storing clothes in a storage unit
- 1. Store your clothes clean
- 2. Get rid of unwanted clothes
- 3. Make an inventory and labels
- 4. Fold like a professional
- 5. Use cedar chips
- 6. Consider climate-controlled storage facilities
- Pros and cons of storing your clothes in a storage unit
- Best containers for clothes storage
Michelle Lambright Black is a nationally recognized credit expert with two decades of experience. Founder of CreditWriter.com, Michelle's work has been published thousands of times by FICO, Experian, Forbes, Bankrate, MarketWatch, Parents, U.S. News & World Report, and many more.