Puffy coats, fleeces, and many other types of jackets and coats can be machine washed, but wool, cashmere, leather and other natural materials require dry cleaning and other special storage care. Machine washable coats can also typically be dried in your dryer. Use a low setting and clean tennis balls to help keep their form.
Keep them separated by family member as well for best organization. The less you have to store, the easier it is. Now’s your chance to trim your wardrobe by donating winter coats and clothes you don’t often wear.
If it’s absolutely impossible to hang a heavy coat, roll it up tightly to prevent creases. Fold the sleeves back neatly and roll carefully from the top, taking care to not to roll in any creases or wrinkles. If you have to, fold the coat in half at the zipper or buttons before you roll.
You should pick plastic boxes over cardboard. Some bugs like to eat cardboard, and it’s not mold or mildew resistant. Airtight storage is best, unless your coat is wool, cashmere, leather, suede, or another natural fiber. [6] X Research source
Place cedar blocks or lavender sachets into the box before sealing it to keep your coats smelling fresh and to repel insects.
Make sure your puffy coat is stuffed with polyfill, which is polyester and thus an artificial fiber. A down-stuffed coat should be stored in a garment bag, so it can breathe. If the coat is still flat after you take it out of the bag, throw it in the dryer for 10 minutes on a no heat setting with a clean tennis ball to give it some fluff.
Use leather conditioner before storage to keep your leather jacket from drying out while it’s put away. Always test out a conditioning product on an inconspicuous spot first, like under an arm.
Use an appropriately sized bag to cover up your garment. Using plastic is okay here: there’s a difference between keeping an item in plastic for a matter of hours versus storing it sealed in plastic for months.
No wire hangers, Mommie Dearest: use only wood. Thick plastic hangers are a fair substitute if wood hangers aren’t available. Try to find a closet that’s about 65 to 68 degrees, low in humidity, and away from any heat ducts. If leather gets too hot, it could crack. Heat and humidity aren’t good for other natural fibers, either. [13] X Research source If possible, hang your winter clothes in a spare closet during the summer months so you don’t have to worry about them when you won’t be wearing them anyway. [14] X Expert Source Robert RybarskiOrganizational Specialist Expert Interview. 31 January 2020.
