What you should know about clothes and storage over summer
Short answer: Winter clothes that get packed away need to be clean and completely dry. Dirt attracts moths, and dampness causes mould inside a closed box over the summer.
Wash everything first
Even invisible dirt and old sweat attract moths far more strongly than visible stains do, because it is odour that lures the larvae in the first place. Everything therefore needs washing before it gets packed away, no matter how clean it looks at first glance. See our washing and care guide.
Completely dry
A single slightly damp item can make the whole box smell musty over the summer, even if the rest of the clothes were completely dry to begin with. Check the seams and the thickest parts, since those are the spots that dry last. See bamboo underwear for men.
Air over plastic
Airtight bags trap the moisture that forms inside a closed box over a warm summer anyway. Fabric bags or boxes with a lid that does not seal completely let air circulate and are therefore the better choice. See bamboo bedding.
Store heavy items flat
Knitwear and heavy jumpers should lie flat in the box, rather than hang on a hanger for months over the summer. Hanging weight stretches the shoulders and ruins the shape, while items stored flat hold their shape far better. See bamboo T-shirts for men.
Check before wearing again
Shake and air the clothes for a full day before wearing them again in the autumn, even if they were packed away clean and dry. Even clean clothing picks up a musty smell from lying still in a box for several months. See bamboo underwear for women.
Choose the right storage spot
A cool, dry room is better than an attic or a carport, where the temperature swings a lot between day and night. Large temperature swings create condensation inside the box, even if the clothes were packed away completely dry to begin with.
Avoid direct sunlight
Sunlight can fade colours over time, even through a box with a clear lid kept somewhere in the home. Choose a dark spot instead, or cover the box, if you are storing clothes somewhere with a lot of daylight.
Label the boxes
A simple label with contents and date makes it far easier to find the right clothes again in the autumn without opening every single box. That saves time, and you avoid digging through clothes you do not need yet.
Check once midway through summer
A quick look midway through summer lets you catch dampness or moths early, before the damage has time to spread through the rest of the box. It only takes a few minutes and gives you peace of mind for the rest of the season.
Frequently asked questions
Should winter clothes be washed before storage?
Yes. Sweat and invisible dirt attract moths far more strongly than visible stains, because it is the odour that lures the larvae to the fabric.
Can you use plastic bags?
No. They trap moisture that forms inside a closed box. Fabric bags or boxes that breathe a little are the better choice over the summer.
Where should you check for dampness?
In the seams and the thickest parts of the fabric. They dry last and therefore show most clearly whether anything is still damp.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
