In the fall, everyone is happy to put away their summer clothes. But if you just stuff them in a bag and forget them until May, you may get an unpleasant surprise in the spring: the smell of dampness, yellow spots and mold on your favorite bikini.
The main rule: everything you put away for storage must be absolutely dry and clean.
How to properly prepare things:
1. Clothing and textiles
- Wash everything, even what “seems clean.” Sweat, sunscreen and pollen eat away at fabric over time.
- Dry in fresh air.
- Place in cotton bags, pillowcases or cardboard boxes; they allow air to pass through.
- Place 1-2 bags of silica gel or dry lavender inside; they will absorb moisture and repel moths.
2. Shoes and bags
- Wipe inside and out, dry with padding.
- Do not store in polyethylene, as leather and suede will suffocate. Use cotton dusters or old pillowcases.
- For shoes, leave wooden blocks or crumpled paper inside to prevent them from becoming deformed.
3. Garden furniture and umbrellas
- Wipe with a damp cloth, then dry.
- Put it under a shed or in a shed, but not in a tightly closed case. Leave a small hole for ventilation.
- If storing in a garage or basement, place a bucket of silica gel or quicklime nearby.
What not to do:
- Remove items when wet or damp
- Use sealed plastic bags without ventilation
- Store in a basement without humidity control
If you do everything right, in the spring you will get things that look and smell like you just bought them.
