Follow These Steps When Storing Summer Clothes
Before you know it, summer is going to be over! The cooler temperatures are creeping among us and that means it’s time to make some room in your closets for your summer wardrobe. Storing your summer clothing in the proper way is essential so that your clothes don’t get damaged. Summer clothes are usually made from lightweight, sheer, and more delicate materials and fabrics compared to fall and winter clothes.
Many of these summer fabrics tend to wrinkle easily compared to thicker fabrics. However, there are ways to store your summer clothes so that they’ll be ready to wear right when you need them the most! Keep reading to find out how to store your summer clothes in the best possible way.
Summer Bathing Suit
Sorting Out Summer Clothes
Be sure to always wash your clothing before to sorting them and putting them away. Never just toss your summer clothing into a box and shove it into your closet. By cleaning the clothes before storing them away, you’ll ensure that your clothes will remain fresh while in storage for months. Garments that are dirty and not washed prior to being stored will deteriorate overtime. Left-over body oils can lead to discoloration in the garments and unwanted odors. It is important to follow this cleaning process with your bathing suits, sneakers and sandals as well.
Sort Clothes In Piles
Step 1: Begin by sorting your summer clothes into categories and putting them into piles.
Step 2: Divide each pile of clothing into piles of “clothes to keep” “clothes to donate,” and “clothes to toss out.” It’s super important to be honest with yourself—if you didn’t wear the clothing item all summer long, would you really wear it next summer? Ask yourself whether you’re willing to spend time and money on fixing a summer clothing piece that’s ripped or just looks worn out. Or, if it’s time to donate the item or toss it out.
Washing Summer Clothes
Cleaning All Summer Clothes
Getting your summer clothes professionally dry cleaned before they are put away in storage is a must! Here at Avon Cleaners, we will do just that! Find a location near you and bring your summer clothes in before putting them away in storage.
Small stains are very difficult to remove after your clothes are put in storage during the cool seasons. Stains may also attract bugs that can eat through your garment and ruin your clothing.
Avon Truck
Hang Or Fold Summer Clothes?
Folding summer clothes made up of acrylic and poly fibers is best compared to hanging them. Use acid-free tissue between each piece to avoid wrinkling of the garments. Hanging these delicate materials can lead to unwanted stretching. However, if you choose to hang your garments, fabrics such as silk or cotton can be hung up on padded or wooden hangers. Read out blog post “The Best Hangers For Your Clothes” to learn more about choosing the perfect hanger for your garments.
Never leave clothes in plastic garment bags. Always use ones made of cotton instead. This is because clothes left in plastic bags trap moisture and promote mildew growth. On the other hand, cotton bags allow your clothing garments to breathe.
Using plastic bins instead of cardboard for folded garments prevents the likelihood of insects getting into the boxes and damaging your apparel. So, always be sure to invest in a plastic bin for storage.
Lastly, always store your clothes away in a clean, dry, and dark area with an adequate amount of air circulation and ventilation. Avoid storing your summer garments in attics, garages, or basements. Also, avoid storing your summer clothing in an area that receives a lot of sun exposure.
Storage Bins
Cotton Summer Clothes
Cotton is a very soft, thin, and breathable fabric that people tend to wear the most during the summer. Cotton allows heat to easily escapes from your body so you stay cooler rather than hotter during the hot summer days. However, cotton fabric tends to wrinkle very easily. Cotton is also vulnerable to sweat stains especially by the armpits and collar. Keep in mind, when cleaning and storing cotton clothing, use cold water to prevent shrinkage of the garment.
When it comes to white clothes, always read the label to see if you can add chlorine bleach to whiten the item more or if you should stick to oxygen bleach for brightening the fabric. Never dry cotton garments at high heat in the dryer. Lastly, hang cotton garments up as opposed to folding them in order to reduce wrinkles.
Folded Cashmere Sweaters
4. Fold Your Cashmere Sweater
Keep in mind that it’s always best to fold your cashmere sweaters in order to keep them in shape. Folded sweaters with tissue paper, stored flat in a drawer or on a closet shelf is best for maintaining shape. However, if you’re tight on shelf space, you can fold your sweater in half once and lay it over the bar of a hanger.
Folded Cashmere Sweaters
5. Take Care Of Stains On Your Cashmere Sweater
Makeup or grease-based stains:
First blot the stain. Then, pre-treat the garment soaking the cashmere in mild shampoo.
Chocolate Stains:
Dip a white cloth in liquid detergent and lightly rub the stained area. Do not scrub too hard in the affected area.
Red wine, tea, or coffee stains:
Gently rub the stain with a white cloth dipped in a mix of cold water and dish-washing liquid. Avoid soap or machine detergents! These can set red wine stains rather than remove them.
Afterward, rinse your garment in cold water and allow it to air dry on a rack. Now, your cashmere garment should look and feel as good as new!
Although, if your garment is still stained, have it dry cleaned as soon as possible so the stain doesn’t set onto the fabric! Here at Avon Cleaners, we work with the latest technologies to ensure that your garments undergo the best possible care and treatment. Have a stain on your favorite cashmere sweater? Find an Avon Cleaners near you today! We are here to help.
Stained Cashmere Sweater
