It’s a pretty easy task taking clothes out of storage, but clothes might not be in the best condition when you immediately get them out of storage.
Before you start wearing them, there are some things you should do, to ensure you don’t damage any clothing pieces, and you can wear them for seasons to come.
Inspect Each Item Carefully Before Wearing
Start off by laying each piece flat, and check for any stains, yellowing or musty spots. Smell the fabric – if you can smell a musty smell, you should wash the item, or air it, before you start wearing it.
Check the seams, buttons and zippers for damage. If you spot a loose button or a zipper that sticks, do some minor repairs with a sewing kit, to fix any issues.
Try the clothing items on to see if it still fits, and if you still like it. If they don’t fit anymore, you can always donate it, or replace it.
Look for fabric weakening like thinning material or moth damage. Smaller holes can be patches, but larger damage may need to be professionally mended.
Inspect the linings and pockets on everything, to check for debris or old receipts. Remove anything from the pockets, and then wash the item if the items in the pockets left any stains or residue.
Check For Signs Of Moisture Or Mold
Look and smell each item, opening bags or boxes in a well-lit area, so you can spot any musty odors, dark spots or fuzzy growth on the fabric and seams.
Check the textured area like the hems, collars and pockets. Mold often hides in the folds or under linings, so turn the items inside out, and check carefully.
If you do spot some small surface spots, brush off the loose spores outside, and quickly treat the fabric to prevent damage. For your non-delicate items, wash them with hot water (if the care label allows), adding a cup of white vinegar or detergent with mold-fighting enzymes, to give you extra cleaning power.
Use a torch to insect your shoes, hats and bags. Leather and suede need special care, so don’t soak them, but wipe with a damp cloth, and use a leather cleaner – or take them to a professional if the mold is extensive.
Keep moldy items away from the rest of your items, placing them in sealed bags, so they don’t spread spores onto your clean clothes.
Wash Or Dry Clean Before Returning To Your Closet
When you take your clothes out of storage, always check their care labels before you start washing them. Some items might be dry clean only, and will need professional care to avoid any shrinking or color loss.
Air out your pieces that just need freshness, but don’t skip washing anything that smells musty or has stains. Musty odors often mean mold/mildew, and that kind of scent doesn’t just go away.
For your delicate fabric items, like silk, wool or structure suits, choose dry cleaning to protect the shape and finish. For everyday cottons and synthetic materials, a normal wash works well, using the gentlest safe cycle, and air drying them too.
Refresh Fabrics To Remove Stale Odors
Start off by airing your items outside, or in a well-ventilated room for a few hours. The fresh hair will help to loosen any trapped smells, and reduce the need for wet cleaning.
Sprinkle some baking soda on thicker fabrics like your sweaters or coats, letting them sit for 30 to 60 minutes, then shaking or vacuuming off. Baking soda absorbs odors without harming most materials.
Make a simple spray, with equal parts white vinegar and water, to target spots or lightly mist the garments. The vinegar small disappears as soon as it dries, but it’ll neutralize musty odors.
If the smell lingers, you can also try steaming with a handheld steamer, or the steam from a hot shower. It will relax the fibers and release any trapped odors, plus the steam reduces wrinkles, so the clothing pieces will look fresher too.
