Things You'll Need:
- Fine sandpaper
- Tack cloth
- Tissue paper (acid-free)
- Padded hangers
- Cloth garment bags
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Step 1
Use sandpaper to lightly sand the cedar surfaces inside the closet. This will revitalize the cedar scent within the closet and enable the cedar to repel moths more effectively. Rub the cedar surfaces with tack cloth to remove sawdust after sanding.
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Step 2
Inspect the clothing before storing. Look for stains and make note of where they are so you can remove them. Remove everything from pockets and remove any pins on the clothing.
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Step 3
Launder or dry clean all clothing items if possible, because storing clothing with stains may attract pests. Clean clothing even if it only has perspiration odors, because the perspiration will discolor the fabric eventually. Place clothing that is dryer safe into the dryer and set it to high heat. Dry the clothing for 10 minutes to kill any insect eggs that may be hiding within the fibers.
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Step 4
Hang clothing on padded hangers for best results. The pads will help the clothing retain better shape after hanging for an extended period. Stuff wadded tissue paper into jacket and coat sleeves to help retain shape. Drape tissue paper over the tops of the hanging clothes to keep dust off the tops of the garments. Put the hangers on the rod with spaces between them to prevent wrinkling.
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Step 5
Fold some clothing items carefully and place a sheet of tissue paper between each item. Sweaters and other apparel made of stretchy knits store best when they are folded instead of hung. This prevents stretching. Place these items on closet shelves.
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Step 6
Store silk and wool clothing where it can breathe inside the closet. Never store these items in plastic bags. For best results, instead of storing any clothing in plastic bags, use special cloth bags that allow clothing to breathe. This will prevent stains and mildew from ruining garments during storage.
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Step 7
Close the cedar closet door firmly and always close it after adding or removing something from the closet.
