How to Store Winter Clothes So They Come Back Like New
Written by Artemis Clo
Knowing how to store winter clothes properly is the difference between pulling out a favourite jumper in October and finding it creased, musty or nibbled. It takes one spring afternoon. Here is the routine, garment by garment.
Clean everything before you store winter clothes
This is the step everyone wants to skip, and the one that matters most. Clothes moths are drawn to natural fibres with traces of skin, sweat or food on them, and a jumper worn twice since its last wash is exactly what they like. Stains also have months to settle in, so a small mark in April can be a permanent one by October.
Wash or clean each piece according to its care label. Knitwear usually prefers a cool, gentle wash and drying flat; our guide on how to wash jumpers without shrinking them explains the details. Let everything dry completely, ideally for a full day longer than you think it needs. Even a trace of damp in a closed bag invites mildew.
While you are at it, deal with any bobbles. A quick going-over now means your jumpers come back looking fresh, and our notes on removing bobbles from jumpers show how to do it without thinning the knit.
Jumpers to start with
A few pieces that fit what you have just read.
Cable Knit Crew Neck Jumper, Classic Fit
Waffle Knit Cowl Neck Jumper
Roll Neck Jumper with Diamond Knit Pattern
How to store knitwear and coats
Knitwear: always fold
Never hang a jumper for months. Gravity slowly stretches the shoulders into little peaks and lengthens the body. Fold it instead: lay it face down, fold the sleeves across the back, then fold it in half or thirds. Heavier knits such as a cable knit crew neck jumper go at the bottom of the pile and finer ones on top, so nothing gets crushed.
A sheet of acid-free tissue between layers stops sharp creases forming, especially on roll necks and cowl necks. If your pile is tall, split it into two.
Coats: hang on wide hangers
Coats keep their shape best on wide, padded or shaped hangers that fill out the shoulders. Wire hangers leave dents, and thin plastic ones can leave the shoulders sagging by autumn. Fasten the top button, empty the pockets (tissues, receipts, the odd mint) and give the coat a good brush first.
Cover each coat with a breathable cotton or fabric garment bag rather than the plastic one from the dry cleaner. Plastic traps moisture and can yellow pale fabrics. Long styles, such as a long reversible hooded coat, need a full-length cover so the hem does not pick up dust.
Storing boots for summer
Boots suffer most from being thrown in the bottom of a cupboard. Clean them first: brush off dried mud, wipe the soles, and deal with any white tide marks, which our guide on removing salt stains from boots covers step by step. Let them dry naturally away from radiators.
Stuff each boot with clean paper or use boot shapers so the shaft stays upright and the toe keeps its shape. Store them standing, in a cotton bag or their box with a few holes in it, somewhere cool and dark. Lined styles like these faux-fur lined ankle boots should be completely dry inside before they go away. When autumn comes back round, you can browse the boots knowing exactly what you already have.
Where to store winter clothes, and how to keep moths away
The ideal spot is cool, dry, dark and inside the heated part of the house: a wardrobe shelf, a blanket box, an under-bed drawer. Lofts, garages and outside walls can get damp or swing between hot and cold, which is hard on fabric.
- Use breathable storage. Cotton bags, fabric boxes or a clean pillowcase let air move. Sealed plastic boxes are fine only if everything inside is bone dry.
- Add a natural deterrent. Cedar blocks or lavender sachets may help discourage moths, though they are no substitute for clean clothes. Refresh cedar with a light sanding each year.
- Leave a little room. Squashed fibres lose their loft. Vacuum bags suit synthetic duvets better than knitwear.
- Check once mid-season. A quick look in July lets you spot any moth activity or damp before it spreads.
Label each bag or box with what is inside. In October, you will be glad you did.
Then, when the first cold morning arrives, everything comes out clean, folded and ready. Give coats a day to air on a hanger and jumpers a gentle shake, and you are set for another season. If you fancy a new layer to join them, the coats and jackets are waiting.
Next, from our coats & jackets
Something from a neighbouring rail, for the same moment.
Long Reversible Hooded Coat, Quilted and Teddy
Long Hooded Bouclé-Look Coat with Buttons
Belted Knee-Length Trench Coat, Loose Fit
Your questions, answered
Are vacuum bags bad for winter clothes?
They are fine for a few months for synthetic duvets and fleece. For knitwear made from natural fibres and anything padded, long compression can flatten the fibres, so a breathable bag with a little room is kinder.
Is the loft a good place to store clothes?
Usually not. Lofts and garages swing between hot and cold and can be damp, which is hard on fabrics. A cupboard or under-bed drawer inside the heated part of the house is a safer choice.
When should I put my winter clothes away?
Once the evenings stay mild for a couple of weeks, often in late April or May in Britain. Keep one jumper and a light coat out, because the British spring has a sense of humour.
Do I need to wash a coat before storing it?
Not always a full wash, but it should be clean. Brush it, air it, spot clean any marks and follow the care label, which may call for a professional clean.
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