How to store seasonal clothes
Store seasonal clothes only after washing or dry cleaning them, since body oils and stains attract moths and set over months. Let everything dry fully, fold knits instead of hanging them, and pack items in breathable cotton bags or lidded bins with cedar blocks. Keep them somewhere cool, dark and dry, not a damp basement or hot attic. Label the bins, and air everything out when you unpack.
Why it matters: Putting clothes away clean and dry is what stops moths, mildew and yellowing by next year.
Steps
- Wash or dry clean everything before storing, even items worn once.
- Let each piece dry completely before packing.
- Fold sweaters and knits so they do not stretch on hangers.
- Use breathable cotton garment bags or lidded bins, and add cedar blocks or lavender sachets.
- Store in a cool, dark, dry place, not a damp basement or a hot attic.
- Label each bin with its contents and season.
- When you unpack, air items out and check for moth damage before wearing.
Common mistakes
- Storing clothes that were worn but not washed.
- Sealing damp items in plastic.
- Hanging heavy sweaters for months.
Teach this to someone
A one page sheet for showing a friend, a teenager or a parent: what to say, what to show, and one question to check it landed.
Teach: How to store seasonal clothes
What to say
Store seasonal clothes only after washing or dry cleaning them, since body oils and stains attract moths and set over months. Let everything dry fully, fold knits instead of hanging them, and pack items in breathable cotton bags or lidded bins with cedar blocks. Keep them somewhere cool, dark and dry, not a damp basement or hot attic. Label the bins, and air everything out when you unpack.
What to show
- Wash or dry clean everything before storing, even items worn once.
- Let each piece dry completely before packing.
- Fold sweaters and knits so they do not stretch on hangers.
- Use breathable cotton garment bags or lidded bins, and add cedar blocks or lavender sachets.
- Store in a cool, dark, dry place, not a damp basement or a hot attic.
- Label each bin with its contents and season.
- When you unpack, air items out and check for moth damage before wearing.
Check question
Why wash clothes before storing them?
Answer: Body oils and stains attract moths and set over time. Clean fabric is far less inviting to pests.
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Related skills
Sources
- US federal care labeling rule and the standard care symbol system, 2026. Reviewed September 28, 2026.
Written in our own words from the sources above. It is general information, not advice for your situation; where a professional, your doctor or your lease says something different, follow them.
Last reviewed . First published .