How to Store Winter Suits

When days start getting longer and the crocuses emerge from the melted snow, it's time to think about storing your winter suits. If you just leave them in the closet, they might not be wearable by the time winter comes along. Moths and lingering dirt can do damage to winter suits even over the course of one season, so you need to take care in your clothing storage.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Dry-clean all of the suits you want to store. Any dirt left on clothing, no matter how little, can cause permanent damage. Dirt also attracts moths, which you must protect woolen suits against while they're in storage.
2. Decide whether you can store your suits on hangers or if you must place them in boxes. Storing suits on their hangers means that they'll be ready to wear as soon as cold weather hits. If you don't have extra space for hanging suits, plan on pressing them or dry-cleaning them before you wear them.
3. Create a cedar closet for suit storage if you have an extra closet. To create a cedar closet, remove all bars, shelves and hardware from the closet. Drill or nail thin sheets of cedar to all wall and ceiling surfaces of the closet, including the door. Reattach the bars and rehang the shelves. You can leave your suits, and any other clothing, in the closet where they'll be safe from moths.
4. Hang suits in breathable garment bags if you want to store them in a regular closet. Canvas suit bags with cedar inserts allow you to hang winter suits safely without further protection.
5. Buy a portable, covered storage closet if you don't have space in your closets but you do have extra storage space in your home. Be sure to get one that's entirely enclosed. A breathable fabric like canvas is safe to use for clothing storage, especially if you add cedar or lavender sachets to repel moths.
6. Store your suits in plastic containers with tight fitting lids, or in sealed plastic bags, if storage space is at a premium in your closets and your home as a whole. Tucking cedar, lavender and dried lemon peels in with your suits ensures that moths don't attack them.
7. Invest in a cedar chest if you want a beautiful and functional piece of furniture in which to store woolen items and other treasures.

Tips & Warnings

• You can refresh a cedar closet by lightly sanding the cedar.

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