When you want to store your family members’ clothes including yours, for an extended period of time, you should take the following steps and measures.
Before Storing, Wash Your Clothes
Before storing, wash and iron your clothes. Over the period of time, surface stains and dirt will set into the clothing and when you finally take them out of storage to use them again, the stains will be too harsh to be eliminated. Additionally, if your clothes are dirty, they can attract insects and vermin, which may also harm your clothing. As per the washing instructions, you need to wash all clothes; and clothes that require dry cleaning should be dry cleaned before storing. Ensure the clothes are appropriately rinsed before drying and storing, to make sure all detergents, chemicals etc. are washed out. This exercise will ensure that your clothes remain safe while they are in storage and they will also remain clean and ready to wear when you would need them.
Mothballs (Naphthalene)
Mothballs aren‘t 100% effective and can be adequately hazardous if they’re found by children or pets. Also, mothballs can leave your clothes smelling awful. Natural wooden cedar balls are a much more appealing choice. They are just as efficient as moth balls and they smell better; they’re used in combination with all of the tips mentioned here. When you use either wooden camphor or mothballs, ensure that they aren’t placed on the garments and are put at the top of your container storage for further safeguard.
Never Use Cardboard Boxes & Plastic Bags
A plastic container that is air tight having a lid is best for packing your clothes for storage. In most of the cases, this will keep your clothes dry and also prevent the growth of mildew and mould. You need to make sure plastic containers are clean and dry. However, never use plastic bags as they can catch moisture and cause mould formation or cause the yellowing of fabrics. Vermin such as mice and rats can easily chew through the cardboard so packing your clothing in a cardboard box won’t shield them. As not all plastic boxes are secure as they discharge chemicals which could have slight to extremely harmful effects on the clothing so depending on the cost and sentimental value attached to the item, use acid-free boxes and tissue paper especially for family heirloom items.
Dry, Clean, Dark & Cool Place
Preferably, it is recommended that clothing should be stored in conditions that don’t surpass 23°C with a relative humidity of 55%. Also, follow this rule, when storing any family heirlooms or pricey sentimental items. The storage space should be clean and neat to shield the box from all outer elements such as rodents and pests. The atmospheric conditions and temperatures must be maintained at the required levels; if a temperature rises or falls to extreme levels then your stored items can get damaged.
Checking Your Stored Belongings
No matter what and where you are storing, it is imperative to check your items that you have kept in a storage facility. So, you can probably check your stored belongings on a quarterly or half-yearly basis if kept for a longer period. Checking will help you to lower the danger of the items getting damaged and you may well save them before they’re damaged.
Hills Self Storage provides self storage solution through its three storage facilities located in Castle Hill, Galston & Kings Park. Different storage unit sizes are available as per your storage needs and you can easily upsize or downsize as per your changing requirements.
