How to store your winter gear?

Living in a warm climate has its perks, and one of them is having sunny and warm weather all year long. Even though it's a bit too humid sometimes, summer lovers really appreciate the climate they live in. One good side of that is that your wardrobe pretty much stays the same for all 12 months. Shorts, t-shirts, tank tops and flip-flops are used every day. However, there are still people who have moved from colder states and will end up bringing their winter clothing. Since they won't have much use for them, they will have to store them away. There are a few tricks you can learn so you will be able to store your winter gear properly. Read on to find out what they are!

Things to do before you store your winter gear

There are several ways your clothes can get damaged when they are in storage for a few months at a time. For instance, moths can create holes in your favorite sweater. When you put them in a place where there is lots of sunlight, the vivid colors can fade away. On the other hand, if you store them in a storage facility where there isn't much air circulation, mold can easily damage everything inside. Therefore, it is crucial that you take a little time to think about how and where you are going to store your winter gear. Proper preparation goes a long way, and every reliable moving company will give you the same advice.

If you take care of your winter gear all year long, they can last you a few seasons!

Wash your clothes before putting them in storage

This goes without saying, but you should definitely only store clean clothing. We understand that it may seem pointless, simply because these are the items you won't wear a lot, especially if you don't live in the colder climate. However, there are a few advantages to washing your gear prior to storing it. First of all, you won't have to wash them before you wear them again in the winter! Secondly, they will be so much harder to wash later on. Imagine dirty clothes stuffed in plastic bin boxes for months. Opening that box might make you faint! Be smart and wash them before closing the lid on the bin. Also, dirty clothes are much more attractive to insects.

Get proper storage containers to store your winter gear

While you may use regular cardboard boxes for your relocation, you should avoid them when you store your winter gear. They are great for short-term storage, such as transporting items from point A to point B. But, they aren't going to protect your clothing from mold and insects in storage. That's why you should consider getting plastic bins. Preferably, they should be opaque rather than clear, in order to protect the items from excess sunlight. Of course, if you're sure they won't get sun damage, then clear bins work just as fine. Especially because then you can see what is inside! Storage bins aren't necessarily expensive, but you can always consider storage bin rentals as well.

Pay attention to how you store your sweaters away - you don't want your favorite Christmas sweater to get ruined.

Think about the size of containers you'll need

Not all winter gear will have to go in the same size container. For example, it is a good idea to separate your shoes from your clothes. Also, if you stuff all your sweaters into one bin, they will be squished and might lose shape. Moisture can also easily build up if the clothes don't have enough space to "breathe" within a storage bin.

Short on storage space? You can store your winter gear in vacuum bags

However, not everyone gets to live in warm states such as Florida or California. If you live in NYC, you know that winters can get pretty freezing, so you probably own a lot of winter gear. The downside of that is the lack of storage space in most New York apartments. They are usually quite small and finding creative solutions for storage has become every NewYorkers side hobby. When you store your winter gear away for the summer, getting a few vacuum bags is a great idea. A lot of clothes can fit into each one, and they are completely sealed, so nothing will get ruined. Also, they can easily fit under your bed!

You shouldn't forget about your other winter gear, such as gloves, scarves, and hats - they need attention too.

What to do with winter accessories?

When you finish sorting out jackets, sweaters, and boots, you might think you're done. However, there are still bits of winter gear that need your attention! Items such as hats, scarves, and gloves should also be stored in the same bins. You will have no use for them in the warm months, so why mix them with other seasonal clothing? Here are a few ideas on how to sort out these:

• Gloves - everyone has at least a few pairs of gloves. Sometimes, you even forget that they have holes in them, and you end up not tossing them away. Before you store them in a bin, go through them and throw the ones with holes, or without a pair, away.
• Hats and scarves - the same advice goes for hats and scarves as well. If you have extra ones that are in good shape, consider donating them to those in need. Think about outfit combinations as well! If you've got yourself a new jacket or a coat, maybe some of these accessories won't be a good match. Gift them to your family or friends so they can still get good use out of them.

It pays off in the long run to store your winter gear properly

Once the summer winds down and those cold winds start blowing, you will be thanking us. When you get your winter clothes out of storage bins, they will be clean and ready to protect you from the cold. Think carefully about how you will store your winter gear this year!