How to Prepare Clothes for Spring

Those of us who live in four season climates experience the joy of spring after a long winter. But that also means dealing with a closet full of the wrong clothes for warm weather. And, of course, winter has a way of making last minute appearances, even well after the daffodils are up. So let’s be ready.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Space for off-season clothes (extra closet or storage or room in your current closet and bureau drawers)
• Stiff clothes brush
• Storage boxes and bags
• Clip-style clothes pins

1. Take a look at your clothes when winter’s (mostly) over. Remove all the garments you didn’t wear this year and haven’t worn for five years and give them to charity. This will free up amazing amounts of space.

2. Wash and dry cold-weather machine-washable garments. Don’t worry about pressing since they will be hanging or folded until next year anyway.

3. Deal with wool sweaters, scarves and garments that need dry cleaning. Take wool sweaters and scarves that have had a lot of wear to the dry cleaner. Others that have had little wear can be brushed well with your clothes brush, folded and stored.

4. Brush wool suits well. You can economize by storing in plastic garment bags after they are brushed, but it’s really better to dry clean.

5. Check silk blouses and scarves for stains. The sooner they are cleaned, the less likely that the stains will stay in.

6. Wash or dry clean wool hats, gloves and mittens. Use clothes pins to keep each pair together. Store them in a place you will remember next year.

7. Remove boots from the coat closet. Store in another location so you won’t be tripping over them when it’s 100° out.

8. Send coats to the dry cleaner on alternate years. Otherwise, brush, air and store them.

9. Leave several lighter wool sweaters and tops until the weather gets really warm. You’ll be glad to have them on a cold or damp day.

Tips & Warnings

• If storage space is limited, many dry cleaners offer free storage.
• Make sure that storage boxes are sealed well to avoid moths and other insects.
• If you have a secure place to hang clothes in the sun (without risk from birds or theft), airing will keep them smelling fresh.
• Never put woolens away without either brushing, washing or dry cleaning. Moths and other insects lay eggs in them while they are folded in dark drawers. Later you’ll be sorry to see holes.
• If you have time, empty closets and vacuum them at the end of the winter before filling with spring clothes.