How to Store Your Winter Clothes. Make sure your winter wardrobe survives the
summer by putting it away properly. You will need Acid-free tissue paper Plastic
trash bags, plastic boxes with mesh-type lids, or new cardboard boxes Hangers with clips
A soft cotton cloth or shoe brush Saddle soap Leather conditioner Suede cleaner Fabric shoe
bags Old newspapers or tissue paper A cool, dry storage space Muslin sachet sacks or handkerchiefs
Dried lavender or cotton balls soaked in lavender oil Wooden, thick plastic, or padded hangers
and plastic freezer bags (optional). Step 1. Wash or dry-clean everything before putting
it away. Insects feed on food and perspiration stains,
even ones you can’t see. And oxidation can turn an invisible stain
into an unsightly yellow blotch. Don’t starch anything you iron—bugs like
to munch on that, too. Step 2. Before storing dry-cleaned items, remove the
plastic and air them out. Dry-cleaning bags can trap moisture inside,
leading to mildew stains. Step 3. Fold your sweaters in acid-free tissue paper,
which you can find online or in good stationery stores. Then store them in a heavy-duty plastic trash
bag, a plastic box with a mesh-type lid, or in a new cardboard carton. If you have an expensive cashmere sweater,
put it in a plastic bag and stick it in your freezer for a few days. The cold will kill any moths and their larvae. Step 4. Hang pants and skirts on hangers with clips. Leaving them folded over a hanger can leave
a permanent mark. Step 5. Clean your shoes and boots. For leather, brush away dirt with a cotton
cloth or shoe brush, polish them with saddle soap, and apply leather conditioner. For suede, use cleaning tools and products
made specifically for that material. Check shoes before storing them to see if
any need new tips, soles, or heels. It will save you the effort in the spring. Step 6. Store footwear in cardboard boxes or fabric
shoe bags. Stuff the boots with old newspapers or plain
tissue paper so they’ll retain their shape. Never store leather shoes in plastic bags;
they may mildew. Step 7. Store clothes in a cool, dry place—not the
attic or basement. Or ask your dry cleaner about seasonal storage;
it’s usually offered for a nominal fee. Step 8. Instead of using mothballs, which are toxic,
make natural moth repellants by filling muslin sachet sacks with dried lavender. Or soak some cotton balls in lavender oil,
put them in the bags, and stick them in closets and drawers. Step 9. Hang coats and jackets on wooden, thick plastic,
or padded hangers. Leaving them on flimsy wire hangers all summer
can cause them to become misshapen. Did you know Contrary to popular belief, cedar
closets are ineffective at stopping moth infestations.