How to Store Winter Sweaters

Transitioning from winter to spring means more than longer days and warmer weather. It also means putting all of your winter sweaters to rest until next year. Store them properly and they'll be ready to be worn next winter.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plastic tubs
• Tissue paper

Prepare Your Winter Sweaters

1. Start by going through your sweater collection before you pack it away. You should avoid storing any item that you won't be wearing next winter season.

2. Weed out those sweaters that you haven't worn or are damaged from too much wear.

3. Sort these sweaters into two piles--a "throw away" pile and a "give away" pile. Sweaters that are unwearable or overly damaged should be thrown away, but you should consider donating your used, wearable sweaters to a local charity.

4. Take any sweaters you are keeping that require cleaning to the dry cleaners if the manufacturer's label advises it. Typically, sweaters with a high wool content require dry cleaning.

5. Wash your remaining sweaters using the gentle cycle of your laundry machine or hand wash them in your sink and allow them to dry completely before you begin packing.

6. Remove your clean "dry clean only" sweaters from any plastic bags or wrappings and allow them to air out before packing them away. This will help to eliminate possible discoloration or odor from the chemicals used to clean them.

Pack Them Properly

7. Purchase enough large plastic bins with tight-fitting lids to store all of your sweaters. Look for bins that can be stored easily, either in your closet or under the bed.

8. Fold each sweater before you store it away. This will help prevent wrinkles and put less stress on the sweater's fibers.

9. Use white tissue paper to wrap each folded sweater before stacking it in your plastic storage bin. Use acid-free tissue paper, if you can find it in an archival supply store.

10. Stack your sweaters in the plastic bin with the heaviest sweater on the bottom, moving up to your lightweight sweaters at the top. Do not over pack your bins, as this may damage your sweaters.

11. Put the lid firmly in place to ensure that dust or moisture does not affect your sweaters.

12. Label the outside of the bin "Sweaters" and include any notes about color, size or style so that you can easily identify it when winter's chill rolls around again.

Tips & Warnings

• Moth balls are not only smelly, but they can be toxic too. Avoid using them when storing your sweaters for the summer.

Who Can Help:

• Are you tired of cakey makeup? Try RawMinerals Free.