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.
In conclusion, proper storage of clothing is essential to maintain its condition and longevity. Avoid storing clothes in hot, damp environments such as attics and garages, as this can lead to damage from heat, moisture, and pests. Instead, use cool, dry, and well-ventilated spaces, with appropriate storage solutions like plastic bins or soft, non-metal hangers. Additionally, it’s important to consider donating clothes that are no longer needed, rather than allowing them to take up space and risk damage. By taking these precautions, clothes will stay in better shape, reducing the chances of damage, mould, and unpleasant odors.
