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 clothes. Storing summer clothes 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 Outfits
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.
Sorting Summer Clothes In Piles
Step 1: Begin by sorting 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.
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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.
Plastic bins are better to use compared to cardboard boxes for folding garments because plastic bins 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.
Summer Cotton Shirts
Linen Summer Clothes
Just like cotton, linen is also a very breathable fabric that’s perfect to wear during the hot weather. It’s extremely lightweight and also prone to serious wrinkling, just like cotton. Some people prefer the wrinkled linen look, while others don’t. However, if you prefer the smooth, unwrinkled look, you may want to have the item professionally dry cleaned before storing summer clothes away for the winter weather. Remember to keep in mind that linen garments absorb a lot of water during the wash cycle. Dry linen items separately so they don’t moisten up other garments.
In addition, if you choose to iron your linen before storing them, turn the item inside out and use a steam iron as opposed to a regular iron! Store all of your linen clothing in a cotton storage bag rather than a carboard box. This will keep the bugs away. In addition, keep your storage bins in a cool, dry, and dark place, rather than a place that receives a ton of sunlight.
Linen Dress
Summer Bathing Suits
Has there ever been a time where you’ve taken your bathing suits out of storage and noticed that the colors have faded away? Or, that the elastic or fabric has deteriorated? Well, that is due to chlorinated water, sun exposure and sweat on the bathing suit. These substances can make your bathing suits more dull, brittle and dry. Follow these simple tips when washing and storing your bathing suits:
- Use a mild, bleach-free detergent when washing women’s and children’s bathing suits. Always wash with cold water to avoid over-agitation in the water.
- Men’s swimsuits are usually made up of different man-made materials that can be safely washed in the washing machine. However, elastic waistbands may become brittle over the years.
- Always lay your bathing suits flat to air dry rather than putting them in the drying machine.
CLEANING TIP:
If you are using plastic bags to store your bathing suits, always use vacuum-sealed bags! The vacuum seal bag keeps out any air or moisture that can form unwanted mold or mildew on your swim garments.
And always contact Avon Cleaners for all your dry cleaning needs for your summer apparel before storing summer clothes away for the rest of the year!
Summer Swimsuits
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