Seasonal Storage: Switching to Winter Clothes
As the days get shorter and the temperature gets lower, you want to bundle up in multiple layers and heavy clothing items. Although, that warm, fuzzy feeling from your clothes comes at a cost of your closet space. Winter clothes can take up a large portion of your closet because of how bulky they are. How can you be prepared to dress for the cold and not have a cluttered closet? Find your family’s summer dresses and swimwear to store them elsewhere and create space for those winter essentials.
When to Switch Seasonal Clothes
Winter is coming, but it comes at different times for us all. If you properly stored your winter clothes, they should be ready when the cold does come. The best time to switch your seasonal clothing from summer to winter is likely early fall. The dog days of summer will have passed, which is the time to truly soak in the sun at the winter park or a baseball game. However, you also don’t want to be caught out in the cold because you forgot about your winter clothes in a storage unit or underneath your bed. This makes the start of the fall the perfect time to start swapping out your seasonal clothes because the frigid temperatures haven’t arrived and it’s likely not warm enough still for a day at the pool.
It’s important to remember that this is not universal for everyone. People who live near the Great Lakes like Minnesota or Michigan will need their winter clothes much sooner than those that have “winters” in Arizona or Florida. As residents of your state, you have a good grasp as to when it gets cold, plan for about two weeks before that is always a good estimate to swap out your seasonal clothing as well.
How to Store Summer Clothes
When storing any clothes, it’s important to start with two things; prioritize and wash. When changing out your seasonal clothing, you also have a great opportunity to cut down your closet and your summer wardrobe. There might be a bathing suit that you’ve had for years that hasn’t seen the sun in ages, it’s time to let go. The best way to create space in your closet is by cutting down the amount of clothes you have whether it’s for summer or winter. There are plenty of places to donate your clothing if it’s still in wearable condition.
It’s best to divide your summer clothes into what you’re donating, choosing to hang, and what can be folded. Regardless of what you plan on doing with your clothes, all of it needs to be washed. The reason being, dirt, dust, and grime often leave a lasting impression on fabrics, affecting the color, feel, and look over time. Take time to run your items through the wash before storage.
Once the clothes are washed and you’ve picked out the clothes you’d like to keep in your wardrobe, it’s time to find a box to store them in. The easiest choice is a wardrobe box. Now at U-Haul, there are plenty of wardrobe boxes to choose from for a variety of needs. When it comes to storing clothes, however, we recommend the medium wardrobe storage box and laydown wardrobe box. The medium wardrobe box is made just for this purpose. It protects your clothes against dust, dirt, and debris. As well as having a metal bar to hang items straight from your closet, like formal summer attire, the wardrobe box has narrow dimensions, so it fits comfortably in most standard-sized closets.
The laydown wardrobe box is a great choice for summer clothes too. It is designed to lay flat on the ground, so it easily slides under most beds. Items like short-sleeve t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, and swimsuits should be folded into the laydown wardrobe box. Pack up hats, sandals, and other shoes that you won’t wear during winter in there as well.
Winter is far less humid than the summer because the air holds less moisture. However, it’s not impossible for it to be humid and cold. You should still consider adding moisture absorbing silica gel packets and/or cedar balls to your moving boxes. It’ll keep your belongings dry and prevent them from smelling. You could also use a climate-controlled storage unit if you’re storing clothing to protect your items from harmful humidity. It’s also best to keep clothes out of the basement and attic for this reason. Those areas of your house can get very humid and invite mold, mildew, and insects that can damage your wardrobe.
A storage unit is a great option for your seasonal needs and keeping your home organized. U-Haul has thousands of storage facilities available throughout North America, so you’re guaranteed to find a location nearby.
More Articles about Seasonal Storage Tips:
5 Proven Tips for Winter Clothes Storage
How to Store Seasonal Items and Holiday Decorations in Self-Storage