Is It Ok to Store Clothes in the Garage?

Are you running out of room to store your clothes and belongings in your home? If so, you may consider storing some of them in your garage. But is it ok to do that? 

In this blog post, we’ll look at some pros and cons of storing clothes in the garage and provide tips on how to make it work for you.

How Should Clothing Ideally Be Kept

Although it’s not the only option, many people find it most practical to keep their clothing in the garage. Garage organisation is a huge hassle – but it doesn’t have to be! Our GarageSmart® Shelving, Baskets and Hooks make garage organisation simple and easy.

You can keep it anywhere you like, but these suggestions should help. First, ensure the storage space is dry, dark, and clean. It must be kept at a comfortable temperature, shielded from direct sunlight, and well-ventilated.

Locate an area away from direct sunlight to keep your clothing in good condition. Fabrics degrade without air circulation, so avoid sealed containers. A clean environment is essential if you don’t want your garments to pick up any unpleasant odours.

Many individuals use attics as a dumping ground for their old clothes. This has some promise, but there’s the issue that sometimes attics get too hot to be comfortable. When temperatures rise and fall frequently, the heat can damage the fibres in garments.

Likewise, you shouldn’t keep clothes in a musty basement; it may seem obvious, yet if you do, your clothes will soon smell musty, too.

When I Get My Garage, How Will I Hang My Clothes?

Metal hangers should never be used for hanging clothing. The fabric will stretch and distort the neck and shoulder areas. However, you can often remove the creases if you have an iron.

Moreover, metal hangers’ sharp edges can shred and tear clothing, and rust can leave permanent stains on garments. Use wooden or plastic hangers, or padded ones, instead of metal ones.

If your garage has a closet, your garments can stay in their original form and be hung up there. However, a wardrobe box is worthwhile if you’re serious about protecting your clothes from dust, mildew, and stains.

You may safely hang your garments in a wardrobe box without worrying about wrinkling or stretching them. Use a cotton sheet to cover the clothing box and keep light and dust out (avoid using plastic, which can trap moisture and heat.

Garment Storage For An Outdoor Or Indoor Garage

It’s time to start putting away some of the winter clothes we haven’t worn yet. This makes better use of the available area and frees up cupboard space in the bedrooms.

To properly organise your garage for garment storage, follow the four steps below.

• Organise your spare clothes and the garage. Do laundry and find a place to put everything away.
• Give away the things you will no longer need. Do not cut corners. You should only keep items in your closet that you truly use.
• Label the plastic containers you use to store your clothes and pack them away.
• Place garments in a secure, out-of-the-way location. This entails using under-bed containers and overhead shelving as suitable storage options.

Get Dressed Up!

It’s important to take a few extra steps before putting your clothes in the garage to retain their finest condition.

Before doing anything else, give your garments a good detergent wash. Despite their apparent lack of filth, Moths and other pests possess an acute olfactory sense. Sweat or foodstuff stains are a magnet for pests that will nest in your clothes and feed on the fibres.

However, garbage pest control can wait until the clothes are in the wash. Detergents and pesticides that won’t harm garments can be used for this purpose.

• Garage clothing storage: a primer
• If children or dogs use your garage, it is important to keep the area free of chemicals that could damage them. Sediment from these chemicals might clog up your storage containers and cause water pollution. Natural solutions like citrus oil, eucalyptus oil, or chilli powder can also deter insects and rodents from your garage.
• Take care of your clothing by washing it according to the care label. To keep your winter coats clean while in storage, you may either use a vacuum to remove dust and debris or wash them by hand.
• Don’t store anything too fragile or expensive in the garage. Over time, your garage’s temperature, humidity, pests, and even your body heat can diminish the quality of your clothing.
• Make sure to set aside some closet space in the garage. Storing out-of-season garments in the garage increases the likelihood that some of those garments will be lost or damaged.

You May Free Up Closet Space By Donating Your Old Clothes

Many of us have difficulty parting with clothing when we know we should. When part of our clothing no longer fits or interests us, we should consider donating it. Keep only the clothes you plan to wear. Place the remainder in a charity store. Donating worn or torn clothing to a local animal shelter means you may provide a warm, dry place to sleep for a homeless kitten or stray dog in need.

Some thrift stores will even buy your old clothes for pennies on the dollar. Your other choice is to list your clothing items on an internet auction site. In addition, both used and new clothing can be bought and sold on various online marketplaces and mobile apps.

• Go to a thrift store; many of them will buy your old clothes (albeit at a very low price). If you were going to toss them away anyhow, you might as well make some money off of them.
• Internet clothing sales: An rising number of people are using mobile apps and online marketplaces to acquire and sell previously cherished garments. A few examples include eBay, Mercari, and Fb Market.
• Contribute to a thrift store or charity: Numerous charities and shelters would be grateful to receive your gently used clothing if you like to donate it to them in support of a cause you believe in.
• Repurpose those old threads by donating them to a local animal shelter, where they can be transformed into a soft bed for a stray needy dog.

Package And Identify

Let’s be honest; nobody likes packing. However, packing clothes to put in the garage will require the greatest effort. However, avoiding even little inconveniences will save you much time and effort.

There are various methods for storing garments that will ensure they remain secure and undamaged no matter how long you plan to keep them.

Consider the value of smart labelling while arranging your wardrobe. This is a method I’ve used successfully on several cross-country moves. We suggest labelling the containers twice: once with the contents and once with the location.

Let’s say you need to narrow it down even further. You can take this a step further by specifying who owns the garments and the season they belong to. Looking for a reliable and affordable garage storage solution? Look no further than GarageSmart®!

An alternate strategy that makes it easy to view what’s inside is using transparent material bins.

• Refrain from using plastic bags and instead store items in plastic containers: You and your clothes won’t survive long inside a plastic bag. When the plastic bag is sealed, any remaining water or detergents are trapped inside. Clothes stored in a plastic shopping bag for a long period can develop mould and become unwearable.
• It’s a plus if the structure can prevent water from getting in. Sealing off all outside air is dangerous: Vacuum-sealed bags and other airtight containers are the same as plastic bags in that they prevent air circulation. Textiles are notorious for soaking up lingering odours and moisture from their surroundings. For this reason, a slight breeze can do wonders for the fabric’s longevity. Unlike most other things, clothing doesn’t need to be vacuum-sealed.
• Never leave garments hanging from wire hangers: Leaving garments on hooks for extended periods causes the shoulder seams to loosen. Instead of plastic or wire hangers, try wooden or padded ones. Rust and distorted garments are the results of using metal hangers.
• One should refrain from repeatedly folding: If you have any creases or fold lines, you know how difficult it is to get rid of them, especially on more delicate textiles. Instead, please store them in the bags in an orderly fashion. Once a year, give them a new fold if you’re storing clothes for an extended amount of time. Fabrics can be damaged over time by sharp creases.
• Wear delicate materials: Use a breathable cloth to line the inside of your storage containers and hangers for extra security. By acting as a barrier between your clothing and the steel or wood, these materials will keep insects at bay without restricting airflow.
• To layer, one must first: Those tissue layers between your brand-new garments have a purpose. It allows air to pass through without requiring direct touch between layers. Use only acid-free toilet tissue to avoid damaging your documents.

Where To Put Your Clothes And How To Decide

Our belongings have been cleaned and packed to the best of our abilities. When will they do what? Now we have to figure out where in the garage and storage container to put all your garments.

The contents of a plastic storage container might add up to as much as one hundred pounds when the container is full. So you’ll need a solid surface that can support that much weight.

A closet or cabinet set may be brought in and put up in the garage immediately, making it easier to store and organise several stuff. The totes can be stored in several ways, including on shelves, in racks, or even stacked in a corner, though the latter is not recommended.

If you’re planning out the garage layout, here are some suggestions for where to put your clothing. Lighting, temperature, chemical exposure, and the possibility of water damage are all factors that must be taken into account.

Advice on Selecting a Storage Facility

• It’s only sometimes possible, but it’s always preferable if you can keep your feet off the ground. Bugs and rodents have an easier time invading containers placed on the floor. Things should be kept off the ground if you reside in a flood-prone location.
• Get out of the heat: Always remember to separate your clothing from any heat source, such as a furnace, heater, or even just a tool that becomes hot.
• Keep things out of the light. Clothing dyes can fade when exposed to ultraviolet light. Select a dark container over a see-through one if your storage space is opposite the garage window.

Do you find it difficult to have extra space in your garage when it is full of boxes and tools? GarageSmart® has the perfect solution for you.

Conclusion

There’s the problem that attics can get too hot to be comfortable, despite the fact that many people use them as a dumping ground for old clothing. Clothes should be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area that is also protected from direct sunlight. Rust stains can’t be removed from clothes and the sharp edges of metal hangers can rip and tear fabric. Instead of using metal hangers, try using wooden, plastic, or soft hangers. Tips for organising your garage for hanging clothes.

If your garage is used by kids or pets, be sure it’s clear of harmful substances. Garments stored in a hot, damp garage are vulnerable to damage from insects, rodents, and even human body heat. When clothes are stored for the off-season, there is a higher chance that some of them will get lost or damaged. When we know we should be getting rid of old clothes, many of us have a hard time doing so. If we find that some of our wardrobe no longer serves us or inspires us, we should think about giving it away.

Thrift shops will often pay you very little for your gently used clothing. Online marketplaces and mobile apps provide a convenient way to buy and sell previously used and brand-new garments. Long-term storage of clothing in a plastic bag can lead to the growth of mould, rendering the garments unusable. Avoid using plastic bags and instead make use of plastic storage bins. In general, fabrics are very good at absorbing both moisture and residual odours from their immediate environment.

Vacuum sealing isn’t necessary for clothing, in contrast to most other items. When a plastic storage container is completely full, the weight of its contents might easily exceed 100 pounds. You’ll want to be on something sturdy that can take the load. To protect your documents from being ruined, you should only use toilet paper that is acid-free. When working with a furnace, heater, or even just a tool that gets hot, remember to keep your clothing away from the source of the heat.

Content Summary

• It’s possible you’ve got enough for a few of them to warrant making some room in your garage for them.
• Keeping clothes in the garage is a common practise, though it’s certainly not the only one.
• You’re free to store it wherever you wish, but these ideas should be useful.
• In the first place, make sure the area is clean, dry, and dark.
• To preserve the quality of your garments, you should store them in a cool, dark place.
• Instead of using metal hangers, try using wooden, plastic, or soft hangers.
• You may keep your clothes wrinkle-free by hanging them in a closet in your garage.
• If you’re serious about keeping your clothes free from dust, mildew, and stains, though, investing in a wardrobe box is a good idea.
• Some of the winter garments we haven’t worn yet need to be packed away.
• This more efficiently utilises the space provided and releases storage space in the bedrooms.
• Follow these four guidelines to set up a functional closet in your garage.
• Get your closet and garage in order.
• You need to do laundry and locate a place to put everything.
• Donate your unwanted possessions.
• Avoid taking short cuts.
• Make sure to clearly label any plastic containers you use to pack away clothing.
• Put clothing somewhere safe and out of the way.
• If you want your garments to stay in pristine condition while they’re stored in the garage, there are a few extra precautions you should take first.
• Give your clothes a good wash in detergent first.
• Insect and rodent control in the garbage can wait till the laundry is done.
• If your garage is used by kids or pets, be sure it’s clear of harmful substances.
• In addition to chemical pesticides, you can use natural alternatives such as citrous oil, eucalyptus oil, or chilli powder to keep pests out of your garage.
• If you want your clothes to last, wash them carefully following the instructions on the label.
• Cleaning your winter coats before putting them away for the season may be done in two ways: either by hand washing them or by vacuuming off any dust and debris.
• Your garage is not the place to keep pricey or easily broken items.
• If we find that some of our wardrobe no longer serves us or inspires us, we should think about giving it away.
• Don’t keep more than you need, therefore choose carefully what you keep.
• Donate the rest to a good cause.
• Thrift shops will often pay you very little for your gently used clothing.
• There is also the option of selling your clothing on an online auction site.
• Consider selling your used wardrobe items at a thrift shop, as many of them would gladly pay you cash (albeit at a very low price).
• You might as well earn some money out of them if you were just going to throw them away anyhow.
• To make a donation to a charity or thrift store: If you want to help a cause you care about while also helping those in need, you can give your gently used clothing to any number of organisations who would appreciate it.
• Donate your worn clothing to your local animal shelter so that they can be made into a cosy bed for a homeless dog.
• The most work will be required, though, while packing clothes to store in the garage.
• When planning your closet layout, don’t forget the importance of proper labelling.
• Avoid using plastic bags and make use of plastic storage bins instead: A plastic bag is not a safe place for you or your belongings.
• A plastic bag’s closure will keep in any moisture or detergent that may have leaked out.
• Long-term storage of clothing in a plastic bag can lead to the growth of mould, rendering the garments unusable.
• To close off the building to the outside air is risky: When it comes to preventing the movement of air, vacuum-sealed bags and other airtight containers are identical to plastic bags.
• Vacuum sealing isn’t necessary for clothing, in contrast to most other items.
• Wire hangers should never be used to store clothing: When clothing is hung for long periods of time, the shoulder seams become loose.
• Wooden or cushioned hangers are preferable to plastic or wire ones.
• Metal hangers cause clothing to rust and become deformed.
• One should avoid folding over and over: You know how hard it is to get rid of creases and fold lines, especially on finer fabrics.
• If you’re putting clothes away for an extended period of time, give them a fresh fold once a year.
• Confidently adorn yourself in flimsy fabrics: Line the inside of your containers and hangers with breathable fabric for added protection.
• These materials will keep insects at away by creating a barrier between your clothing and the steel or wood, all without limiting airflow.
• To protect your documents from being ruined, you should only use toilet paper that is acid-free.
• We need to find a spot in the garage or the storage unit for all of your clothes.
• The ability to keep both feet in the air is not always available, but it is always preferable.
• If you live in a flood-prone area, you should keep your belongings off the ground.
• Keep your garments away from a heat source, whether it’s a furnace, a heater, or even just a tool that gets hot.
• You should hide items from view.
• If your storage area is facing the garage window, choose a non-transparent, dark container.

FAQs About Clothes Garage

Can You Safely Store Clothes In The Garage? 

Keep in mind that clothes do attract moths, and certain materials, such as leather and fur, do not hold up well when stored in damp areas. However, with all the tips and tricks mentioned above, it’s possible to avoid this and store your clothes in the garage. 

How Do You Keep Clothes Fresh In Storage Bins?

One way to keep your clothes fresh in storage bins is by deodorising the storage before placing your clothes in them. You can use an odour-neutralising solution to wipe down the entire space within the storage bin. You can also consider using dryer sheets as an alternative. 

Will Clothes Get Ruined In A Storage Unit?

If you properly prepare your clothes for storage, then they should be fine in a storage unit. Be sure to wash your clothes, handle them well, use the right storage bins and choose the right storage unit facility. 

Is It Better To Fold Or Hang Clothes?

Easily stretched clothing like sweats, t-shirts and sweaters should be folded to put less stress on the materials. Denim and khakis should be folded as well. Easily wrinkled garments like dresses, suits and blouses, as well as anything made of pure linen, should be kept on hangers. 

Can You Store Clothes In A Cold Garage?

Fluctuating temperatures and humidity are not ideal conditions for storing fabric. It can get mouldy, and rodents love to chew it. It’s tempting to stash sleeping bags with other non-fabric camping supplies in the garage, but don’t do it! Store sleeping bags, clothes and other fabric items inside your house.