Putting Winter Away

MRL

As it is almost April and I think spring is finally coming, I am preparing to put away the winter clothes. So far I have pulled the items that I didn't wear this winter (for the give away pile) and switched my closet around. I need to clean the salt etc. off my boots and stuff the boots to keep their shape. Wool coats need to go to the dry cleaner.

What am I forgetting? Any tips for storing winter items?

11 years ago

General

12 replies

Latest reply was from K. Period.

Adelfa

Veteran

I always dry clean my wool and cashmere sweaters, and then store them in the plastic they came in. When I do this I don't get moths.

11 years ago

carter

Veteran

I try to give some thought to which items will be the first to transition back into my closet for the start of the next season. These should be the most accessible, ie, top of the box, front of the storage closet. At least in Atlanta, there always seem to be a few weeks of schizophrenic weather as one season fades to another. It's handy to have a few things accessible before it's time for the big change-over.

11 years ago

Golden

Veteran

I wish I could put winter away but living in the Pacific NW it seems like winter is here 10 months out of the year!

11 years ago

Catnip

Veteran

Even though I either wash or dry clean nearly everything, I still use moth repellant. A good friend had her entire winter wardrobe ruined by moths a few years ago, so I'm being especially careful I use a product called Moth-Away. It smells rather good, and nothing like moth balls... ugh! The active ingredients are peppermint, rosemary, thyme and cloves. It appears to be working so far.

11 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

I keep my four season wardrobe in one closet but I still prep that fall/winter side for storage. Any items that require dry cleaning are taken to the cleaners. All other items are washed and pressed (if needed). And I hang some cedar hangers in between the clothes as a deterrent for moths.

11 years ago

Susie

Veteran

I have to change out shoes too. In season shoes live on shoe racks while the out of season shoes and boots are stored in plastic boxes and stacked on the top shelf of my closet.

The majority of my clothes remain in my closet year round. I've already moved my wool and cashmere sweaters (after dry cleaning) and other winter only pieces to an extra closet in the guest room. I'll pull some more items when full blown hot weather comes.

11 years ago

Jenny H

Veteran

I like to check the heels of my boots before I pack them away for the year. I often find they need replacing/capping after one season's wear. My shoe repair place also cleans/polishes the boots when they do this. When I pull them out again in the fall it's nice to know that they are ready to wear.

11 years ago

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I put dryer sheets in my heavy coats and sweaters to keep them smelling fresh.

I am a year round person. I used to change over every season. To me it was a chore. Now I have a 4 seasons closet living In the suburbs of Chicago you never now. tododay and yesterday Mid 60s and Tomorrow low 40 and snow showers expected.

11 years ago

Anonymous

I always hang my tops and bottoms backwards on hangers at the start of each season. This was I clearly see what I have not worn and relegate these items to either donate or toss (recycle) at the end of that season. I also make a list of must need items for that season so that I know what I will be shopping for before the season starts. It sure makes a difference that I don't buy more of stuff I don't need and forget to get what I do need.

I make sure that I clean my shoes/boots from the winter and waterproof them for the next season and stuff them with old newspapers to keep their shape.

11 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Yay for being able to haul out our Spring stuff!-)

One more thing that came to mind: I also handwash my scarves that I don't wear in Spring and store them the same way as my cashmere and merino Winter pullovers.

11 years ago

MRL

Veteran

Thanks for all of the good advice - I never considered checking the heels of my boots and washing winter scarves. Thank all!

11 years ago

K. Period.

Veteran

Oh! Checking the heels on shoes is such a good tip!

11 years ago

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